Had my Cav MOT'd today and failed on several points. I need two new coil springs on the rear, which I've got, two new tie-rod ends, which I've also got, the handbrake cable needs tightening and I need three new brake pipes.

My question is will it be cheaper to buy a pipe flaring kit with the pipe and fittings, or will it be cheaper to get someone else to make them? I know I'd use a kit again for the build but cash is short at the moment.

Incidentally, it's one of the front pipes that's gone and the two main pipes that run the length of the car.

I bought a kit many years ago and I have lost count of the times it has been handy on a Sunday or late at night or on the car....

Much, much cheaper to buy the kit - you should get everything you need for £30 (including enough pipe).

You dont HAVE to replace the whole pipe, just the rotten parts, the long rear sections are a pain if you dont have a pit or a ramp.

Dont over tighten the joint if using copper pipe - you will see what I mean if you make up a couple of practise joints.

Cheers guys. I'd rather buy the kit as it definately makes sense in the long run. Machine Mart do them for less than £18, any ideas with regards to pipes and fittings?

[Edited on 21/3/05 by Chris_R]

surely 8mm pipe with a box of male and female ends? dont quote me on the diameter though.

ISTR pipe is 3/16"

Marcus

I'm sure there's a post loafing about not too long ago that listed the pro's and con's of copper brake pipe, fairly sure the general idea was "don't use it" and use Knufier (spelling??) as it has better qualities.

Cheers
Chris

sorry i have not read the postings about copper pipe but if i may point out, all bar none of the garages i have dealt with worked with or worked for, use copper pipe when replacing brake pipes even main dealers, as they are quick safe and easy to make plus rust free. the main thing if you make them yourself! take your time good luck

its a bad idea to try to join the steel pipe to copper,steel will need a man sized machine to make a flare,best to replace the whole pipe,ive done lots of these,remove old pipe and run some 3 core cable along it to get the length right

Kunifer £8 a roll, copper £6 a roll is why garages use it. Both should outlast steel by a large margin and both are MOT approved. Be careful tightening down as the steel nut crushes the flare to form the final seal.

I got a Screwfix cheap flare kit, and most of my flares were pretty crap cos it was a poo kit. I cut the pipe to size and took it to my local friend garage man who flare them for me using a serious bench mounted bit of kit, perfect. I gave him a £5 and no leeking joints!

I have one of the Moprod things shown on this page...

CLICKY

Not very expensive, single-size (3/16" ), made nice flares when I followed their instructions properly. Not easy to find - I got mine by luck in Motormania, Ipswich.

David

[Edited on 22/3/05 by David Jenkins]

Gone and bought the kit. Machine Mart do one for £21 with a pipe cutter. I also bought some pipe, £4 for 25'. Guy at the local garage quoted £70 for supply and installation of the lot so I'm happy with the saving. Cheers guys.

By the way, which type of flare do you use with which union?