Brake Pipes

Author
Discussion

sagalout

Original Poster:

17,912 posts

283 months

Thursday 11th March 2004
quotequote all
Well, with the welding about 75% complete, the rear suspension back on and the front suspension nearly all off, my mind is turning to brake pipes (and a holiday).
the front metal pipes are routed along the sub frame, the flexis fit through and to the sub frame with the metalpipes then attaching to them. As per original I guess.
Now, the ones under the radiator aren't easy to get to and the other side ain't much better. You have to fish and fiddle with the fittings.
Has anyone tried to re route their metal brake lines for easier maintenance etc.One thought was to bring the metal line out through the inner wing or to a seperate bracket but this could make them more vulnerable.
I am putting the front to rear line inside the car.
It's a single circuit system by the way. Is it worth going split circuit for the basic mini disc set up I am hoping to get (if I can get hold of a disc upright/hub/caliper set up, I'll get new discs/pistons) or just sticking with the existing single circuit. Contemplating a servo but trying to keep costs down and keep it simple. If my old Caterham could get away without on why should a Mini need one?

Sorry rambling now...

(Must stop thinking about ways of improving it and just get it finished.)

Regards
Tony H

miniman

25,018 posts

263 months

Thursday 11th March 2004
quotequote all
It's a great question and I shall look forward to the suggestions that get put forward. This is one of my least favourite jobs on the Mini - the access to the flexi hose junctions is a nightmare. I'm replacing all mine whilst the engine is out and I can get at them easier.

Cooperman

4,428 posts

251 months

Thursday 11th March 2004
quotequote all
I cut away the inner wings locally at the bottom and flange the edges just like the old 'works' cars used to be done. This improves the access a lot, but it's never easy.
Running the front to rear line inside the car is always a good thing.
Personally I don't like the big disc brakes without a servo, but I know others that do. The big disadvantage of the servo is that if you are an avid 'left-foot-braker', you run out of servo pressure due to the power being on all the time.

sagalout

Original Poster:

17,912 posts

283 months

Thursday 11th March 2004
quotequote all
That'll leave them slightly more open to "attack", Peter. Do you put on any additional guards to protect them. Also I suppose a slight weakening of the wing but not enough to cause a worry I guess.

Cooperman

4,428 posts

251 months

Friday 12th March 2004
quotequote all
No, I don't add any other protection after cutting away a bit of wing, although I guess you could screw a couple of bits of steel mesh on if you were worried obout it.
The inner wing is just a big 'shear panel' in stress analysis terms and it doesn't carry much load. It's the outer wing, with its compound curvature which carries the stresses (hence my concern about flip-fronts).
The access holes I cut are not huge, just enough to help a bit. It does make life easier.