BRAKE PIPES

[EYEMAN4EVER]

Hi all,

Can anybody please inform if the break pipes for the series MM (1951) were copper or steel.

Thanks in advance.

Eyeman4ever

[IslipMinor]

They would almost certainly have been made using 'Bundy' tube, which is a rolled brazed tube made from copper coated steel, and became the 'standard' automotive brake pipe in the 1930's. It is still used widely.

As far as I know, 'pure' copper has never been used in a 'modern' mainstream production environment and has received very mixed reviews. it IS very easy to manipulate, BUT can be subject to 'work hardening' and fractures. I would not use it.

The best material to use today is '90/10 cupro nickel', one of the trade names is 'Kunifer'. It is what many of the higher end manufacturers now use. Very good corrosion resistance and reasonable easy to bend (easier than Bundy and more difficult than copper).

[bmcecosse]

As above - 'copper' is not at all a suitable or safe material for brake pipes!

[Declan_Burns]

Here's what you need:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/KUNIFER-Morri ... 46413ef385
He was making them for MG's and I asked him do Kunifer kits for the Moggy. I was quite pleased with the quality of his products.
Regards
Declan

[LaughingBoy]

Just about to put in new brake mc and kunifer brake lines. I have a choice of either kunifer pipes with plated steel nuts/unions or kunifer pipes with brass unions. Anyone have any opinions regarding which type of union is better - brass or plated steel?

[bmcecosse]

I would avoid the brass..... Very easy I imagine to 'round off' the corners - or perhaps strip the threads - although there should be no need to tighten them to anything like that torque!

[les]

I helped a good friend with his brake lines recently, and was interested to see they were braided lines from Aeroquip, they have proper unions and bulkhead fittings for passing through barriers and looked and felt like a great alternative to metal. They ran inside the car in this instant but no doubt could be clipped underneath. Not cheap but being brakes maybe worth it.

[LaughingBoy]

Think I'll stick with kunifer - I have used Aeroquip for fuel but have never heard of it being used for brake line (until now!).

Thanks bmc - I'll go for the plated steel unions.

[IslipMinor]

Kunifer + plated fittings + a smear of copper grease on the tube inside the fitting. Removed all ours a couple of weeks ago as part of the complete strip down, prior to the respray, and all but one came undone very easily after 18 years and 50,000+ miles. The 'one' needed a bit of fiddling, as it was stuck to the tube, and then it came undone OK. Will need to replace the slightly corroded fitting before putting it back on to the car. Good testament to the benefit of non-corrosive brake tubing!

[philthehill]

I have found that 'Kunifer' (can be used in a generic term) brake pipe also has a tendency to harden over time.
I have just replaced the front flexible brake pipes and tried to re-align the Kunifer brake pipes between disc caliper and flexible hose to suit. The pipes about 15 years old (approx) had hardened and I was unable to re-align which resulted in me having to make new pipes.
The roll of new genuine 'Kunifer' 3/16" brake pipe recently purchased is much softer and easier to form.
Phil