Braided Brake Lines

[hondacivic]

Hi -The rear brake lines on my Mazda are absolutely knackered and need replacing. I'm dreading the bill from my mechanic for this after just replacing the discs with Mazda OEM parts. Is it a moderately easy job for someone to do (i.e. me) or are there any tricky bits that would require special tools and such. Also do I have to find a set of steel brake lines that are matched directly to the vehicle or can i get a generic set made up for cheap at my local motor factors? The problem with the car is that no-one seems to have any parts for it -not even the scrappies so my only option is to keep ordering replacement parts from Mazda which cost an arm and a leg!

[larsen_huw]

Depends on how good a mechanic you are & how user friendly your car is ...

I changed them on my Capri in about 30 mins of spannering and 2 hours of brake bleeding (better to be safe rather than sorry!).

In total, I used:

1 x trolley jack;
2 x axle stands;
1 x breaker bar with 19mm socket;
1 x 15mm spanner;
1 x 13mm spanner;
1 x 11mm spanner;
1 x friend.

My car didn't need any special tools at all and an off the shelf stainless steel 3-line kit cost me £25.

Do some research - find an owners club, a workshop manual or even chat to your local Mazda garage. Ask them if the fittings are universal, or some special Mazda only fitting. Then you need to find out the length of each pipe. If you can find out this info then you can have a set made up before you start working on the car - which means you should be able to swap them over in an afternoon. Failing that, you'll have to take the old pipes off and give them to a garage to copy ... which may mean you're without your Mazda for a few days.

[hondacivic]

Thanks for that. I think I will give it a go. I'm no expert mechanic but i always figure the only way you can learn how to do something is to give it a go yourself! (Plus I'm not always so happy to be charged €60 an hour mechanics labour charge!). I'm hoping the car's braking system is similar enough to the UK spec 626 and that I can get the parts easily enough (and reasonably cheap). Thanks again

[larsen_huw]

Remember though ... if in doubt, consult someone who knows what they're talking about - brakes are not something you want to get wrong!

[hondacivic]

Just to post an update. The brakepipes were a breeze, but in doing this job I uncovered another! The brake lines ie. the metal pipes at the back of the car are corroded as are fuel lines. I think they would fail a NCT so the same questions apply again

1. How difficult a job?
2. Any special tools?
3. Are there generic parts or do I have to get a specific vehicle match?

Thanks for the previous help, which ended up saving me a packet!

[larsen_huw]

Just to post an update. The brakepipes were a breeze, but in doing this job I uncovered another! The brake lines ie. the metal pipes at the back of the car are corroded as are fuel lines. I think they would fail a NCT so the same questions apply again

1. How difficult a job?
2. Any special tools?
3. Are there generic parts or do I have to get a specific vehicle match?

Thanks for the previous help, which ended up saving me a packet!

It can be done using copper tubing. However, I would check the legality of it first. Over here in the UK there are certain materials you can and can't make brake pipes out of. Using the wrong material will cause a car to fail an MOT and hence be illegal to drive on the road.

Check the rules and regulations first - find out what can and can't be done before you spend any money.