brake line protection?: Grassroots Motorsports forum: Grassroots Motorsports Magazine

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Oct. 6, 2008 7:51 p.m. 924guy HalfDork

I need to replace the hard brake lines in my 924 that run under the car, due to a pin hole leak. in looking at them, i noticed i also have some bad retaining clips, and some crush damage from road debris or rocks... the thought occurred to me that i really should find a way to protect these lines better, especially since im going to drive the wheels off it as often as possible (autox, hpde , $2009!! .) anybody have any idea on how to shield the brake lines with out having to rerun them inside the car?

thanks in advance, Eric
Oct. 6, 2008 8:04 p.m. fiat22turbo SuperDork

Well, there is stainless steel wire wrapping (or gravel guards) that you can put over the lines. Not sure where to get it offhand, but some searching might come up with some results.

There was someone selling a complete set of hardlines on ebay for a 924's, 944's, etc. You have to bend it, but that isn't hard to do.
Oct. 6, 2008 9:19 p.m. patgizz Dork

i just put new lines on my astro van and ran the one to the rear partially inside the frame to keep it safer
Oct. 6, 2008 9:23 p.m. noisycricket New Reader

It's essentially a non problem. I can't remember ever seeing a crush damaged line that wasn't also heavily rusted.

NAPA sells a plastic coated line that is super flexible. You can bend it with two fingers and it's very difficult to kink. I swear by it, although it's about twice as expensive as standard line.
Oct. 6, 2008 10:23 p.m. shuttlepilot New Reader

you can get "gravel guard" from www.classictube.com

I've heard lots of good things about the plastic coated lines though.
Oct. 7, 2008 6:21 a.m. ignorant SuperDork

do like a rally car, and run them inside the cabin..
Oct. 7, 2008 6:28 a.m. SoloSonett Reader

run copper nickle lines and never worry about rust again. As for smash guards , that's another issue.

One note: Do not hit pieces of broken leaf springs in your 1976 Datsun F-10. It will bounce up and sever all your brake lines at once !
Oct. 12, 2008 9:14 a.m. Jack SuperDork

I'd worry that any covering could trap moisture/salt up against the line and cause more rapid failure. Think about great products that accelerate and potentially mask issues;i.e. undercoating and header wrap.

Jack
Oct. 12, 2008 10:14 a.m. 924guy HalfDork

I ended up just going with "normal" steel brake lines, napa didnt have anything else according to the parts guy there, and while he was helpful, he wasn't enthusiastic about doing any research.

I picked up two 5 foot section, longest they had and some flare fittings. I may still order a roll of line from someplace and make up one piece lines, but this will work for now at least.

on the upside, if i crush the lines i can replace just the under-body sections rather quickly with it set up this way. Im also looking at maybe perforated drywall edging as a protection plate, so it will drain and ventilate. The reason for so much concern is because im looking at some performance springs which will lower the car about 2 inches, to just under 4.5 inches clearance once I adjust the rear suspension to match the fronts, car sitsa bit high now. Ive got one line done, probably do the second today, but they shorted me on fittings so i have to go find some more. Ive also got new clips on the way, and I also scored on a good set of front rotors and calipers for $20.00 from a guy who upgraded to a five lug set up. this is the same car that sat in a mud pit for many years, but shes running great now and im moving onto brakes and some electric issues, and lots of cleanup work...
Oct. 12, 2008 3:47 p.m. Keith SuperDork

Instead of armoring the brake lines, armor those chassis rails - or at least the equivalent. You get three benefits: more chassis rigidity (if done properly), frame rails that won't take damage and of course protected brake lines. I did that to the Targa Miata, and if I managed to avoid damaging anything during that race then you shouldn't have any problems!

Picture to come once my hosting company unberkleys what they did to my website.
Oct. 13, 2008 6:40 a.m. SoloSonett Reader

Get your lines( and info) here:

http://www.fedhillusa.com/?page=home