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Replacement Brake Line Kits - Lines too long
viiking - September 26th, 2018 at 02:23 PM

Has anyone had experience with replacing their brake lines and the replacement lines are too long? I have a 68 swing axle Bug.

I purchased a kit locally for the correct year and most of the lines were so long I had to add another loop to get them to fit. The only one that was close to being right was the long line. Plus I ended up with two extra lines I didn't need.

It came out OK and I made sure that there was sufficient clearance around all obstacles, but it appears nowhere near stock.


hulbyw - September 26th, 2018 at 06:05 PM

What brand is the kit? I haven't done mine yet so am quite interested in this thread


viiking - September 26th, 2018 at 07:11 PM

I was unbranded. I bought it from one of the Sydney based suppliers but can't remember which one now. I bought it a couple of years ago when starting the project.:dork:


viiking - September 26th, 2018 at 07:21 PM

I have since compared my old brake lines to the diagram on the Wolfsburg West website. Their replacement individual lines are close if not identical to what I have.

https://www.wolfsburgwest.com/wolfsburg_new/brakes/bug_brake/bug_brakes.cfm?t...

Given the high cost of shipping from the US I decided to buy a kit locally, but it clearly was a poor decision. I might see if someone in Australia has the WW ones.


vwo60 - September 26th, 2018 at 09:23 PM

Buy one of these https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Metric-4-75-3-16-Brake-Line-Compact-Flaring-Tool-... then buy the tube + https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/20-x-Steel-Short-Male-Brake-Pipe-Tube-Tubing-Nut-... + http://www.sunburybrakes.com.au/bundy-brake-pipe-tubing-3a16-diamiter-5-mtr-r... and make them all yourself.


HappyDaze - September 27th, 2018 at 05:51 AM

It was a few years back, so memory fails a bit, when I used a WW kit on my '56 Kabriolet. There was a slight bit of fiddling at the front, due to the lines being made for LH drive (mine is RH drive), but otherwise they were fine.


viiking - October 30th, 2018 at 10:35 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by vwo60
Buy one of these https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Metric-4-75-3-16-Brake-Line-Compact-Flaring-Tool-... then buy the tube + https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/20-x-Steel-Short-Male-Brake-Pipe-Tube-Tubing-Nut-... + http://www.sunburybrakes.com.au/bundy-brake-pipe-tubing-3a16-diamiter-5-mtr-r... and make them all yourself.


Took your advice and bought the tool. Makes great bubble flairs on my old pipes. Will just shorten the ones that I have fitted and get on with the next step.

One interesting point was that despite how crappy the 50 year old original pipes were, they were still clean and rust free on the inside. I managed to cut a piece lengthwise to see.

Thanks for the suggestion and lead.


vwo60 - October 30th, 2018 at 11:36 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by viiking
Quote:
Originally posted by vwo60
Buy one of these https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Metric-4-75-3-16-Brake-Line-Compact-Flaring-Tool-... then buy the tube + https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/20-x-Steel-Short-Male-Brake-Pipe-Tube-Tubing-Nut-... + http://www.sunburybrakes.com.au/bundy-brake-pipe-tubing-3a16-diamiter-5-mtr-r... and make them all yourself.


Took your advice and bought the tool. Makes great bubble flairs on my old pipes. Will just shorten the ones that I have fitted and get on with the next step.

One interesting point was that despite how crappy the 50 year old original pipes were, they were still clean and rust free on the inside. I managed to cut a piece lengthwise to see.

Thanks for the suggestion and lead.


Now you own the tool you just buy the flair nuts and tube from your local auto supply place, make them to fit you exact location instead of buying a hit and miss set.