Hi Guys

Just got the car back from the garage for it's MOT, its failed on a couple of things, but the main two are corroded brake pipes (near & offside rear), just wondered how I'd go about changing these and, which parts I would need and whereabouts to get the parts.

Thanks

Will

You need a roll of copper brake pipe and standard ends, and a flare tool, bubble flares work well.

there's a kit available on ebay http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Automec-Copper-Brake-Pipe-Set-Kit-Skoda-Felicia-/230695266293?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item35b68267f5 - also, there was a posting about a month ago about changing the pipes, might be worth getting in touch with the poster- cheers.

Cheers guys, I've emailed the guy from that link, but sadly Automec don't make the hoses to fit my model car. would an after market hose work? Something like this http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Skoda-Felicia-1-9D-1997-2001-HOSE-TECHNIK-Brake-Lines-SBH-SKO-4-012-/270985857089#ht_1829wt_1037 ?

Thanks

Depends if you're talking about the flexible or rigid brake pipes - the link you've given is for hoses, which are the flexible ones, and indeed for high performance ones, which TBH are a bit OTT on a standard car unless you feel the brakes aren't up to scratch.

If it's the rigid pipes, as said above, it's just a case of making replacements from copper pipe using a flaring tool. Parts will be cheap, labour will be the main component but shouldn't be tremendously large.

Edited 31 July, 201213 yr by djaychela

Thanks for the help guys, I've bought myself a few metres of copper brake pipe, and got myself a couple shiny new tools to help, just got to meticulously, measure, measure cut and bend the pipes now. Fingers crossed it'll fly through the retest.

I'd be very careful on bending those pipes. They have a small inner diameter and a small radius 90 deg. bend could flatten them.

Some people recommend filling them first with a very fine sand or even water, seal the ends then bend them.

Edited 3 August, 201213 yr by masster

Why don't they just make them out of copper to begin with ??

Why don't they just make them out of copper to begin with ??

ok daisy. now you can go back to sleep.

those neurons need a rest..

I'd be very careful on bending those pipes. They have a small inner diameter and a small radius 90 deg. bend could flatten them.

Some people recommend filling them first with a very fine sand or even water, seal the ends then bend them.

Others recomend using a mandrill bender, and most good motor factors will make mandrilled pipes for $model to order.

Why don't they just make them out of copper to begin with ??

Cost, avoidance of preferential corrosion of steel bodyshell to stop copper brake lines corroding. (it's been a while since I used them, but I do have quals in chemistry and metallurgy)

Cost, avoidance of preferential corrosion of steel bodyshell to stop copper brake lines corroding. (it's been a while since I used them, but I do have quals in chemistry and metallurgy)

she didn't ask why do manufacturers make brake pipes out of copper.

that would have been a question out of curiosity at best.

no, she was irritated about people missing the obvious choice: 'make those pesky brake pipes out of copper, damn it. copper doesn't get corroded. look at green copper tiles on the roof of a church..."

all that after the starter of the topic said repeatedly he bought copper pipes and needs advice for making flares and bending them.

DOH...

Edited 4 August, 201213 yr by masster

Ken & Masster, I don't understand either of your replies but what I do understand is I'm not so dizzy to know that copper doesn't go rusty so why not use it in the first place then there wouldn't be any corrosion would there.

Daisy - Copper is more expensive than steel and with pennies saved on each car with the volumes involved adds up to a lot of money. Also manufacturers don't want their cars to last forever or be easy to repair, it can take a bit of time to replace brake pipes, especially where they run over the top of fuel tanks, so a few failed brake pipes at MOT time can write a car off.

Copper is soft, corrosion resistant and easy to work, however it is prone to fatigue and work hardening, especially if the pipe isn't supported properly. A lot of replacement brake pipe is made out of Kunifer which is a copper/nickel mix, this is less prone to fatigue.

. .

I'm not so dizzy to know that copper doesn't go rusty

corrosion = electrochemical oxidation of metals or gradual destruction in reaction with an oxidant such as oxygen

by 'rusty' you probably mean iron (Fe) covered with ferric oxide (Fe₂O₃) and yes, copper (Cu) can't get 'rusty' since it's another metal. but this doesn't mean copper can't get corroded (see statue of liberty) only difference is that copper oxide is green.

Thank you Fordfan for a simple easy to understand answer.

Thank you Fordfan for a simple easy to understand answer.

A simply phrased response is invariably the best and is the least you deserved in this case Daisy

Simple is a word often used with me

I believe copper brake pipes are illegal in some countries. Kunifer is the best type.

I believe copper brake pipes are illegal in some countries.

oh, give me a break (brake?). let's not be more catholic than pope...

the only illegal thing is marijuana, except NL

and all this time probably the starter of this topic passed MOT, while we're still yaking about 2nd grade school chemistry hard to grasp by women.

I believe copper brake pipes are illegal in some countries. Kunifer is the best type.

New Zealand for example.

Masster - FINE SAND? Who the HELL suggests that? No-one. Well, no-one who's alive any more as their brakes failed and they died.

Seriously, you need to get some people skills. I say that as someone who's WELL onto the autistic spectrum. Leave your moronic sexist crap at the door.

Oh, and you're wrong - there are a number of things which are illegal that people fit as aftermarket upgrades; for instance the olive-type brake pipe fittings (such as goodridge hose fittings where the flexi pipe fits to the end fitting) are also illegal in some countries.

Ken & Masster, I don't understand either of your replies but what I do understand is I'm not so dizzy to know that copper doesn't go rusty so why not use it in the first place then there wouldn't be any corrosion would there.

Sorry Daisy, I didn't know that your chemistry was that weak. This is O/Standard/GCSE grade stuff.

Others have explained that copper does corrode (usually going green, sometimes blue, rather than red like iron does). "Preferential corrosion" means that one metal corrodes faster in order to stop another one doing so. In the case of mild steel (like a car body) and copper, the mild steel corrodes faster in order to stop the copper corroding, and replacing a bodyshell is more expensive than replacing the fixed brake lines!

Masster - FINE SAND? Who the HELL suggests that? No-one.

do a google search on "bend pipe sand" and find out you're not that knowledgeable.

if you don't know it, that doesn't mean it doesn't exist.

oh, and as a reminder, I don't like stupid women and I'm not afraid to say it. call me a misogynistic m.f. or whatever, but don't tell me women go in life for brains.

Yes, but not for brake lines, you bozo.

No, you don't like anyone. You're plain rude to Daisy because she's female, not because she's stupid.

And you're plain rude to just about everyone else.

You're not a misogynist. You're as much of a tool to people of any gender.

oh, so now you learned something new. there IS bending using fine sand, the finer the smaller pipe diameter.

you just don't want to admit a brake line is a pipe. that makes you a moron. an angry, pussy licking one.