Making Up Own Braided Brake Lines

[minimaniacwhyard 17]

my other halfs 205 diesel front brake lines are on the mot advisory. i bought some non gen ones and do not like the way they fit they are slightly longer and have a bumper bit on them to stop them rubbing the body work. i do not like this. so after having a think ive decided to make braided ones up. the pipe does not seem expensive on ebay. ive had a look over the forum and found this.

 

http://forum.205gtidrivers.com/index.php?showtopic=113067&hl=%2Bmaking+%2Bbraided+%2Bbrake+%2Blines

 

also with a little bit of research elsewhere they dont look that hard to make. (famous last words)

 

i just want a little advice and guidance along with a place to buy the right connections that will fit onto the brake line and calliper.

 

all i can find is the line and the olives?

 

please help

[brumster 135 1 Cars]

You'll want the fittings, the olives and the pipe - fittings dependent on whatever you need at each end, obviously.

 

Tape up the pipe with masking tape several times over where you want to cut it, slide over the back half of the fitting, and then cut it with a fine blade hacksaw... gently, and squarely. Fine-trim any rough leftovers off the inner plastic tube with a stanley knife tip but don't alter the profile of the tube - make sure the edge is smooth and cut perpendicular (ie. not at an angle). Now fit the olive over the end of the inner plastic tube. You may need to trim some braid off if it's separated but just trim it to keep it neat, don't take any significant amount off. You *will* spike your fingers with braid several times over in this process

 

Now put the fitting into the plastic tube end and olive, then bring the two parts of the fitting together and start the thread off. Make sure you keep the hose pressed firmly onto the outer fitting at all times, don't let it come away from being fully seated onto the outer fitting. When the thread gets more than finger-tight, it's time to put it carefully in a vice and wind up the outer fitting onto the inner one nice and tight.

 

Give good solid tug to ensure it's on there properly, then do the other end

Edited February 25, 2013 by brumster

[minimaniacwhyard 17]

sounds easy enough . where can i find the connections though i found the brake hose and olives on ebay. i cannot for the life of me find the connections though.

i have already anticipated spiking my fingers. . i always seem to be the guy that catches my finger on the one copper strand while doing wiring as well

[Tom Fenton 1,548]

The only thing I would add, I use a 1mm slitting disc on an angle grinder to cut the hose, makes a clean cut through the braid, and is also similar to the way the local hose shop does it, except they have a machine to do it.

[minimaniacwhyard 17]

The only thing I would add, I use a 1mm slitting disc on an angle grinder to cut the hose, makes a clean cut through the braid, and is also similar to the way the local hose shop does it, except they have a machine to do it.

i have a little cutting disc on die grinder at work might use that good idea

[glenwah 20]

What hasn't been made clear is that when the olive goes over the inner plastic the braid needs to go over the olive, get a small pick or screwdriver and open the braid out enough to fit the olive in and squeeze the braid back to the olive, being a motorcycle mechanic I have made loads of sets of lines and cut the hose with normal side cutters and as long as you get it straight it will be fine.

[minimaniacwhyard 17]

do you know where to get the connections from to suit cars? i can find the olives and the lines but not the connections.

[EdCherry 34 1 Cars]

What hasn't been made clear is that when the olive goes over the inner plastic the braid needs to go over the olive, get a small pick or screwdriver and open the braid out enough to fit the olive in and squeeze the braid back to the olive, being a motorcycle mechanic I have made loads of sets of lines and cut the hose with normal side cutters and as long as you get it straight it will be fine.

 

You might have cut them with side cutters, but it isn't a good idea. Your not meant to crimp the inner hose, or even the outer and by using side cutters your doing just that.

[Tom Fenton 1,548]

Merlin Motorsport sell a good range of end fittings.

[minimaniacwhyard 17]

Merlin Motorsport sell a good range of end fittings.

Thanks i will take a look at them.

 

Also i think i will be carefull and use a cutting discs on die grinder because its my first set.

[brumster 135 1 Cars]

Merlin, or Think Auto - http://www.thinkauto.com/

Personally I'd use Nuneaton Hose & Fittings (http://www.racing-lines.com/) just because they're local but for you, I'd shop around a bit.

 

Good point on how the braid goes outside the olive - forgot to mention that!

[glenwah 20]

By using a grinder you are introducing heat, also not a good idea as it makes the inner brittle, each to their own.

[minimaniacwhyard 17]

Thats a fair point that i did not think about to be honest with you. Hacksaw or side cutters it is then. My side cutters are getting pretty worn so probally hack saw and insulation tape

[glenwah 20]

http://www.carbuildersolutions.co.uk/download/catalogue.pdf go to page 14

[EdCherry 34 1 Cars]

I dont think you will induce enough heat to make the inner brittle, its a soft plastic compared to a rotating disc the resistance is so low its like a knife through butter.

 

All im saying is I would go with most manufacturers guidelines and the methods they use...

[minimaniacwhyard 17]

http://www.carbuildersolutions.co.uk/download/catalogue.pdf go to page 14

thats awesome! thanks for that.

[glenwah 20]

I have never read a manufacturers guideline saying to use a grinder to cut braided hose and I have been making them for 18 years.