Copper alloy brake line

[Blue60]

I was at NAPA today (brake line stuff) and they suggested I try using copper alloy line (3/8), $40/25 ft roll. Obviously wouldn't corrode, which is a big plus up here in Maine, and is easy to bend than stainless.

Anyone using it? Thoughts? New stuff, or do I just not get out enough?

Cheers

Dave

 

[slcfj62]

I just replaced the long hard brake line on top of the front axle. It was from Toyota and of course, has the correct fittings and the ends of the tube are flared. It is coated with a teflon coating and has a rubber sleeve where it goes around the U-bolts. It was a perfect fit and cost $21. I would hate to have to try to figure out the metric fittings and flare the ends of the tubes, not to mention get all the bends right, etc. If you are replacing some of them, I'd go OEM. If you are replacing all of them it might be worth it to build your own, but Napa will look at you with a stupid look on their faces when you tell them you want metric fittings. Also, copper will corrode, it won't rust however.

 

[VTCDN]

Im glad someone else posted a NEG, B4 me..

Napa Crapa, sells anything .
Toya OEM needs to meet specs.
Copper !! WTF, Is that even approved for a DOT !! Nada in my shop.
You can put bigger grills bumpers , but touch the Brakes (heart , lungs, ) Now your in a area of approved parts and methods , plus +++, If you do your brakes , frigg-up , run into / over someone , your liable for court. This i know , been there, On the other side.

I also have an issue with electrolysis , (steel & alum = normal ) add copper , another element.

OEM is normally the best, not always , but NAPA-CRAPA is just mostly shop supplies most days.
Sorry about the flakes.

VT

 

[Gwynley]

Pure copper pipes and copper alloy pipes are two different things. Copper alloy is also know as Kuniffer or cupra-knikol. (sorry can't remember how to spell either of these words!) It will not corrode. Its more of a Gold colour rather than the traditional copper colour.

BMW use it to make brake lines - as do many other manufactures now.

Its slight flexiblity (read slight not like standard copper) means that it is easy to work with and also more durable. I think it is far more durable that OEM steel stuff. The coating on the OEM stuff is easily scratch and they will corrode eventually - Kuniffer will not.

I made my own brake lines before I left and 35,000km later of Africa trails all are still fine (and still looking nice a bright when the car is clean...)

 

[Joe_E]

I just replaced the long hard brake line on top of the front axle. It was from Toyota and of course, has the correct fittings and the ends of the tube are flared. It is coated with a teflon coating and has a rubber sleeve where it goes around the U-bolts. It was a perfect fit and cost $21. I would hate to have to try to figure out the metric fittings and flare the ends of the tubes, not to mention get all the bends right, etc. If you are replacing some of them, I'd go OEM. If you are replacing all of them it might be worth it to build your own, but Napa will look at you with a stupid look on their faces when you tell them you want metric fittings. Also, copper will corrode, it won't rust however.

I agree. Surprisingly the OEM hards lines are fairly cheap. I just ordered all the ones I need to finish my FF.

 

[Radd Cruisers]

There are several materials available to make brake tubes from and the better stuff is the plated type mentioned here. The regular tube material has plating, but the outside is just zinc coated.

I generally make new lines from scratch, and they mostly look factory or better. It does take time, but I keep lots of bulk tube and metric fittings around to do so. There are some very good tight radius bending tools now available - check with your Mac or Snap On dealer the next time he stops in.


~John

 

[Blue60]

Copper Alloy

Thanks for the ideas and opinions...still leaning toward the copper alloy. I won't put the PVC clad steel lines, S/S is tough to bend, my thumbs are killing me from doing the plow truck lines this weekend with conventional steel lines. The bends are easy enough to duplicate with an old hanger wire as working material. The biggest pain is not having a lift and crawling out and back under the truck all the time as you fine tune the bends and clamps. My local NAPA has the fittings, (standard Japanese metric) and I'm guessing I won't be replacing the copper alloy lines every couple of years like you have to do with conventional steels lines due to corrosion when I do the other truck with copper alloy.

Again, I love to hear the different feedback and experiences. Hopefully, I'll be able to chime in with mine and copper alloy lines after I do an install.

Cheers

Dave

 

[VTCDN]

I did catch the Alloy bit NOW on a reread, but i have found Napa (others also) sell stuff thats not approved.

Here is the Info on the Cunifer brake lines: http://www.brakequip.com/pdf/ezibend_2.pdf

As with anything , Is good to know if its approved line.
A lot of aftermarket brake pads / rotors don't meet Euro brake specs ..