brake hoses up front

[chin up]

Well, I set to on the front brakes over the bank holiday weekend. Overhauled the calipers, new spotties and ebc pads. NICE!

Noticed the small flexible hose was past its best so thought I would quickly nip down to the ford garage and pick up 2 new ones. simple.......

Well, it wasn't. There are 162 types of front hose for fiestas made over the years and I'm buggered if I know which one I need! (The ford man was predictably disinterested.)

A search of the forum has not given me the part number, so if anyone has any info I would appreciate it. Ta.

Thing is, on my search, I came across the braided hose idea. I don't know whether to go down this road as my 'S' is an everyday car, and I need to get moving as quickly as I can, but Gadgit, is there any chance you could give details on how you make up the hoses from unions and raw braided hose? (if I have to ask, I probably shouldn't attempt it....I'm just curious!)

Many thanks guys n gals.

[Paul V]

Normally the braided hoses will cost about £20-40 depending on length. Give Tower View a call, I think they stock them and you could get them delivered on next day delivery if you need them ASAP.

[shpub]

TVR special. If you are desperate, call a TVR dealer or specialist. The braided hoses are good but a bit more expensive. They need to be made up and this involves special tools. As it is for the brakes, not something I would recommend for DIY. Tower View may have them off the shelf.

Steve

[chin up]

Ideal, thanks for the quick replies chaps.....will now call tower view.

Cheers, chin up

[gadgit]

You need to have a local hydraulics dealer who can get the parts. the stainless braided hose is about £10 a metre. The ends are about £4 each. Both sides at the front can be done for about £28. The problem is you have to be able to slot the bracket where the pipes normally join to alow movement, but the pipe length has to be just right - not much room for error, as I found out. But when I took them back and said they were 2inch to long they just cut the pipe off where I wanted it and put a new olive on and clamped it up again. This is the advantage of going to a proper hydraulics place. The disadvantage is they will have to order the ends. Its worth doing, and I have pics of the finished construction if anyone wants to see them!

good luck.

gadgit.

[chin up]

Ah thanks gadgit. I sort of imagined you making the pipes up in your garage or something! Guess not. It sounds interesting, but I gave tower view a bell, and they do a bespoke solution for the 's' for about £30 a pair. Next day delivery and excellent service bunged in for free.

The chap there gave me some fitting advice for the pipes. Now then. Don't sue me if you follow this info then crash and all that, but basically there is a hole in the front suspension upright apparently. You can sleeve the braided hose with something like petrol pipe or similar to stop the brake hose becoming damaged when the wheels turn. Secure it with some cable ties and bobs your uncle. So, that's what I'll try and sort today once my massive hangover has gone away!

Cheers all, chin up.

[gadgit]

http://community.webshots.com/user/gadgit101
check this out for shots of the front brake pipes.

please let me know if it works!
just click on the pics.

gadgit.

>> Edited by gadgit on Friday 30th August 20:07

[chin up]

Yep, that hyperlink took me straight to the brake pipe photos.....nice one, ta for that gadgit! I must say that all your hard work has clearly paid off. Your s2 looks super.

Well, the hangover went away and I got amongst the rusted old unions this afternoon. Off came the old crap and on went tower view brake pipes. I have sleeved the pipe with a spare bit of air line I had lying around. All nipped up and cable tied securely and wow my brakes look excellent. I have grooved and spotted discs and green stuff pads with painted calipers on there now. Keen to see if the brakes would feel good I went on bleed them.

I bled them using a combination of pedal pumping and the gunson eezibleed that johno hates so much. No snags there, which is a bit of luck! So far, the new kit seems really nice. The bite is good, the grooved discs don't make too much of a whirring noise which I heard they might, and overall I'm dead chuffed. Total cost £150 and 1.5 days work (hindered by hangover)

Marvellous. I ought to go and get smashed but after last night I think I'll have a quiet one. Must be getting old

Thanks to all who helped. cheers.

>> Edited by chin up on Friday 30th August 21:04