brake lines

[cbudvet]

So I am continuing to work on my 240z and am looking at potentially replacing the hard brake lines. On ebay there is someone selling CNC bent stainless steel brake lines that encompases all the hard lines. Has anyone purchased these? I am very interested even though they cost a little more. Thanks.

Carl

[d240zx2]

Unless your hard lines are damaged in some way, they don't need replacing. Why would you want to replace them?

Frank

[cbudvet]

I really don't have a specific reason for replacing them. I have the car stripped down to the shell and I guess I thought "might as well replace the brake lines". I think they appear in decent shape. To be honest I never thought about cleaning them up and reusing them. Hmmmmm. Thanks for the advice. I can spend the money elsewhere I am sure.

[240znz]

Let me tell that replacing the brake lines is a PITA. You need the right tools for the job and plenty of tube as you are bound to **** things up if you haven't done it before. While your there you may as well replace the fuel feed and return. You may find that the rubber insulators are beyond recoverability and you'll need to make new ones.

Avoid it unless you really really have to is the advise from me.

[xray]

IIRC, Those brake lines on EBay are resold from Classic Tube. The stainless is nice since it won't corrode ever again, but doesn't meet strict standards as the original were plated steel. If you buy the brake lines, it'll look pretty silly next to your original clutch and fuel lines which sit right next to the brakes, so set aside some extra $$$ for those as well.

I guess you could clean the fuel and clutch lines, then paint them, but I doubt it'd be a close match to the brake lines...depends on what you're willing to pay.

I put all new SS lines for brakes, fuel and clutch on my restoration and have to say the Classic Tube set is about 95% correct and looks great, especially in a clean restored engine bay. There were some issues with BMC lines and some other parts where the bends were not exactly perfect, but it's much better than what I would have done on my own.

[dkd021]

I bought the brake lines from Classic Tube. They were "ok" in my opinion. They'll fit but they're a major pain to get back in. Not the CT lines, but the fuel/brake lines in general. I never want to go through that again. It is by far, the most frustrating thing I've done during my restoration.

My recommendation, if you're going to remove them anyway, would be to media blast them & then find a local cad plater that will replate your lines, insulator brackets, & screws. To get all of my lines & parts plated was MUCH cheaper than buying new lines.