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MG MGA - Brake Line - modern parts?

Looks like my brake lines need replacing ... while loosening up one of the rear pipes, it snapped in half. Guess it did look a little rusty...

I went to two auto parts stores today and tried to get a roll of brake line and replacement fittings. No dice, nobody carries these fittings and they only had 16" lengths of brake tubes. Is there a modern replacement I can use? And where can I get replacement steel tube for the line?
R Stokes

I'm surprised that they only had 16" lengths. The bigger problem, however, is the reverse flares. Plenty of info in the archives about this. Do yourself a favor and buy the line(s) you need pre-made from one of the many (SF, Moss, LBC, Classic, etc), suppliers.
Good luck,
GTF
G T Foster

Here in Pa parts stores like Advance Auto, Auto Zone and Pep Boys all carry replacement brake line with the correct british bubble flare in lengths from 8" to 51". Ask at the counter. I was able to go back and piuck what I wanted. Be careful that you don't get the metric bubble flare that they are using on some american and imported cars. you can also get a bubble flare tool from many tool houses.
Charles O'Brien

Hi R. Stokes. Moss sells ready made non rusting brake lines sets made of copper nickel alloy. Use these and you will never need to replace them again. Moss also sells male and female brake line fittings. Cheers, Glenn
Glenn

Thanks, guys. I did buy a clutch line from Moss and received it today. It's a nice part. I was hoping to flare the rest of the lines myself, but if these things never need replacing again, it's probably worth the investment.
Rich

Like I alway say, what is your LIFE WORTH. Buy the best brakes and lines you can. What is your car worth? This is one area you don't want to be cheap on.
JEFF BECKER

My copper nickel lines are now almost 20 years old, and still look perfect. I would highly recommend them. Do a full seal replacement on all cylinders at the same time and go with Si fluid, and that will be the only brake job you will do for the next 15 yeara (apart from replacing a few linings.

Dominc

dominic clancy

Copper lines are banned for racing in Australia, but not banned for racing in UK (so I believe) you don't have as much trouble with in Oz though.
I only use steel myself as they are less prone to fatigue and I have seen my brothers MGA race car push 1200PSI on the front callipers.
My 0.02c worth....

Cheers <MARK>
Mark Hester

Do the brake lines as supplied by the usual guys come pre-formed, straight, or coiled?

G Goeppner

All the one's I've seen are coiled, as it's cheeper on postage.
Mark Hester

Fear not....Copper-Nickel (cupro-nickel, Cu/Ni, or Kunifer) Alloy is NOT the same as copper. It does not suffer from the fatigue problems of Copper. It is an acceptable material for brake lines by the SAE. Do an internet search and you will find many references to the use of Copper-Nickle brake lines.

I have used the Cupro-Nickel lines from SF and have been very happy with it. It came rolled. I had bought a forming tool but soon found that the cupro-nickle forms very easily by hand and with a little care, does not kink or buckle.

Chuck
Chuck Schaefer

This thread was discussed between 21/07/2005 and 22/07/2005

MG MGA index

This thread is from the archive. The Live MG MGA BBS is active now.