brake pipes

[iancr900]

I'm just about to order new brake pipes and fittings, the pipes look as though they are 3 /16 but I'm not sure about the fittings (are they imperial or metric?). My car is 1983 GTL.

 

[malcolm]

3/16 is right (normal for brake pipes). What's not quite so normal is the front of the car is metric and the rear is imperial. At least when you have Bendix brakes at the back (which you probably will). There's a spotters guide to brake types on http://www.renault4.co.uk/tech-brake-drums.htm

I bought my own brake flaring kit for £15 (cheap one from the motor factors). It's so handy not to have to order brake pipes individually and then have to go back because they are too long/short or have the wrong fitting.

 

[iancr900]

Thanks clementine,your right I do have Bendix at the back.
A flaring tool and pipe bending pliers are at the top of my shopping list.Theres a great company called "Vehicle Wiring Products"that does lots of different goodies(I've got there catalogue in front of me now).

 

[malcolm]

The flaring tool looks expensive. Might be worth a search around for a Sealey Model AK506 - only £15 including a pipe cutter (essential).

Will do copper and cocpper-nickel, but not up for the job of steel pipes.

 

[Steve Hennessey]

I bought a Sealy one years ago and didn't get on with it as the flares produced were not up to an acceptable standard (for me, anyway!). I went out and bought a Sykes Pickavant one that produces excellent flares.
Another highly technical piece of equipment you'll need is a length of nylon string!! Use this to measure the length of the old brake pipe.
You may even try to obtain brass fittings instead of the galvanised ones - I remember Frost's selling these a while ago.

 

[iancr900]

I ordered the one out of the catalogue today I'll let you know how it performs once I get round to using it.I've got alot of welding to do first

 

[malcolm]

Good on ya for taking that one on. It's quite possible to make a car like that really good, and my theory is that starting with a rusty one and sorting it all at once will save a whole load of work in the future. I'd be interested to hear about the project as it progresses.

Have you found the Mig welding website for topical tips and forum?

But your suspension mounting looks wrong - it should look like this:

 

[iancr900]

Thats what it looked like before it came away in my hand.I'll keep you posted with the progress.
I started the welding earlier today,first time I've touch a mig set in 15 years(triumph vitesse,citroen dyane) guess I'm a sucker for punisment

 

[iancr900]

Passed it's mot yesterday!!!yippie!!!now its my surfmobile

 

[Liam4R4SPARES]

I sold one exactly the same unusual coloured R4 about 6 years ago . I wonder if it is the same one ? willl check my records .