[DeTomaso] Rear Brake lines

[Mark McWhinney]

If you have the stock brakes, just call up you favorite Pantera vendor and
be done with it.  For example, the Byars have them for $135.

http://precisionproformance.com/bc1950.htm


I have aftermarket calipers and like to support the local speed shops, so I
just bought the pre-built ones for about the same price.  You can pull your
lines off and take them to your local shop where they can match them up with
the right length and AN fitting.

BTW, there are DOT and non-DOT.  Pick your poison.




-----Original Message-----
From: detomaso-bounces at realbig.com [mailto:detomaso-bounces at realbig.com] On
Behalf Of MikeLDrew at aol.com
Sent: Friday, November 02, 2007 3:48 PM
To: tbaranek at earthlink.net; detomaso at realbig.com
Subject: Re: [DeTomaso] Rear Brake lines


In a message dated 11/2/07 3:23:52 PM, tbaranek at earthlink.net writes:


> I had a "mushy" brake pedal and noticed brake fluid on my wheels (both 
> rear). 1973 Pantera L
> 
> There is moisture (brake fluid) where the flex line meets the rear
caliper.
> 
>>>Uh-oh.   That's not good!
> 
> What is the "normal" failure mode (fitting, gasket, O-ring, etc...) at
this 
> joint and what is the fix?
> 
>>>This is an unusual failure.   Personally, I wouldn't even bother trying
to 
find a fix for 35-year-old rubber brake hoses.   If I were to even touch one

with a wrench, it would ONLY be to remove it and throw it in the trash, and 
replace it with a set of braided steel flex hoses.


> 
> I have a great local hot rod shop that does stainless steel custom...what 
> measurements/standard would they need to get the right length and
compatible 
> fitting?
> 
>>>Don't bother--there's no way they could reproduce the quality of the 
ready-made stainless steel hoses for anything close to the cost that it
would take 
for you to just buy them from a direct source--either a Pantera vendor, or a

brake line manufacturer like Classic Tube.

All the vendors carry these hoses on the shelf and sell them for $100 or so 
for the set of four.   Unbolt the old ones, bolt the new ones on, flush ALL
the 
old brake fluid out of the system and refill it with fresh fluid, bleed the 
brakes, and you're done.

While at the SEMA show I saw that Classic Tube is now making their flex
hoses 
completely coated from end-to-end with clear plastic.   No more sharp 
stainless steel sawing through your paint on your a-arms.   Not such a big
deal to 
Panteras, as the normally don't touch anything, but it's a big deal to
Harley 
guys, for example.

They list hard lines as a standard item in their catalog, and I think they 
make flex hoses too.   But your best/safest bet would be to buy the hoses
from a 
Pantera vendor.

> 
> Do I REALLY need a special wrench to do this?
> 
>>>I don't know why they make special brake hose wrenches.   These wrenches 
capture the nut on multiple flats, instead of just two like a normal
open-end 
wrench.   Really, a brake hose wrench is just a standard box-end wrench with
a 
slot cut out so that you can slip it over the hose.   A box-end wrench is 
generally a much better idea than an open-end wrench for transmitting max
torque 
without deforming the fastener.

If you have multiple conventional box-end wrenches and are trying to save a 
few bucks, you could sacrifice one and slot it, making your own brake hose 
wrench.   Personally, I'd just buy the darn wrench! :>)

Mike


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