Front brakes are mushy, what should I try?

[chuck c]

I took another shot at it yesterday. I pinch off the lines and compressed the pistons with the bleeder open. I got no air, only fluid. However the lines do pulse a lot when I squeeze the lever. I can feel them expand. I know I have a good master and the calipers are in order. There's no air. The only things left are the 35 year old brake lines. Hmmmm..

 

[mcgovern61]

Chuck, If I get a chance to get up there with the centerstand, I could take a look at the brakes too!

 

[chuck c]

mcgovern61 » Wed Jul 13, 2016 5:24 pm[/url]"uxrmdtm]
Chuck, If I get a chance to get up there with the centerstand, I could take a look at the brakes too!

More eyes and brain cells would be welcome.

I've been shopping and have not found anybody that has the front hoses for this old beast. Where can I get them? I don't want the shiny braided stainless steel, OEM style will be fine.

 

[julimike54]

I put the SS lines with a black sheath over them so they look more like stock, but they are a smaller diameter. The HEL lines helped firm up the feel of the brakes.

 

[chuck c]

Besides the look, there's the expense. This project is already over budget and it's still not on the road. The fancy braided lines I've seen are 2 to 3+ times the price.

 

[julimike54]

Maybe a place that builds hydraulic lines would be a source to redo your lines?

 

[dan filipi]

I had a custom line made locally for $40 less than a foot long so yeah, hydraulic lines are pricey.

 

[Denver]

The braided stainless, will last longer that ANY of us will need them. :roll: :smilie_happy:

 

[OldWrench]

I've been shopping and have not found anybody that has the front hoses for this old beast. Where can I get them? I don't want the shiny braided stainless steel, OEM style will be fine.

Look up a industrial hydraulic supply and they can make up new brake lines for you. Make sure you get steel breaded lines. I'n not talking about external breading, but internal. Or ask for a line that will handle 1500 psi. Sure you aren't going to create that kind of pressure but you will never need to worry about lines swelling.

 

[Denver]

Great idea :good: .

 

[chuck c]

I finally found a set of original style DOT approved for $65, shipped. Will get here by wednesday. If that doesn't fix it.....

 

[mcgovern61]

PM Sent!

 

[joedrum]

well if it dont you have total rebuild going on ...it cant be much to fix it ...though i know it seems so now

 

[chuck c]

New lines arrived! One problem. The old ones had a nice gray patina on the fittings that blended in well with my color scheme. These are shiny and gold! Unacceptable! Painting them would be a PITA. But I have a solution, and it will help solve some other finishing problems. Pics very soon.

 

[Ansimp]

chuck c » Wed Jul 20, 2016 9:01 am[/url]":31ncnffc]
New lines arrived! One problem. The old ones had a nice gray patina on the fittings that blended in well with my color scheme. These are shiny and gold! Unacceptable! Painting them would be a PITA. But I have a solution, and it will help solve some other finishing problems. Pics very soon.

Make sure that you have fixed your brake problems before making them look good! :yes:

 

[Tom_Charlton]

I see my comments are too late again, but..

Autozone & O'Reilly will sell you generic steel brake lines with fittings for Japanese, European, and SAE lines. They can be bent by hand to duplicate the original front & rear lines, with the cost depending upon the length.

I made the brake line to go from a VW master cylinder (European fitting) to S-10 (SAE) rear brake lines on my trike. We cut the European fitting off one end, replaced it with the SAE fitting, and re-flared the line end with a flaring tool. Total cost was less than $20.

 

[Denver]

Almost all copper, :read: bend's great, :yes: redid lines front, to back on my Civic. :heat: Saved a bunch of cash, :whistling: & work's well. :yahoo:

 

[slabghost]

Keep in mind copper rots quickly from road salt and is not meant to hold the pressures commonly found in braking systems. Not a risk I'd take or recommend.

 

[dan filipi]

slabghost » 4 minutes ago[/url]":1jwui3s1]
Keep in mind copper rots quickly from road salt and is not meant to hold the pressures commonly found in braking systems. Not a risk I'd take or recommend.

Agreed. And brake lines should be double flared. Single flare not worth the risk to me and others.

 

[chuck c]

I put the new lines on. No improvement. With the lines clamped the lever is hard as a rock. I've tried every method of bleeding, for the bleeders up, from the ms down, nothing works. Sometimes I can get one side fairly solid but when I unclamp the other line it all goes back to mush. I'm out of ideas. :head bang: