The Lockheed brake line system carries hydraulic pressure from the master cylinder to the four wheel cylinders through a combination of rigid pipes, distribution adaptors, and three flexible rubber hoses. Three flexible hoses bridge the gap between the chassis-mounted rigid pipes and the moving components, one to each front wheel (spanning the suspension travel) and one to the rear axle (spanning the axle movement on its leaf springs). The same flexible hose part is used at all three positions, with three sealing washers, three locking nuts and three shakeproof washers required to complete the connections.
Distribution Adaptors
Hydraulic pressure from the master cylinder is distributed through one four-way adaptor and two three-way adaptors mounted on the chassis. The four-way adaptor takes the feed from the master cylinder and splits it for the four wheel circuits; the three-way adaptors handle the secondary splits to each side of the car. Each adaptor is secured by a single bolt and spring washer. The master cylinder adaptor itself, which connects the cylinder outlet to the first rigid pipe, is also catalogued in this section with its sealing washer, since this is part of the brake-line side of the connection.
Hydraulic Brake Light Switch
The brake light switch on the TD and TF is hydraulic rather than mechanical, it threads into one of the chassis adaptors and is operated directly by fluid pressure when the brake pedal is applied. Two switches are catalogued: an original-pattern unit with screw terminals and a modern equivalent with spade terminals. Either switch will operate the brake lights identically; the choice depends on whether the car has been rewired with modern bullet/spade connectors or retains its original screw-terminal wiring.
Pipe Clips, Straps and Sealing Hardware
The rigid pipes are secured to the chassis by P-clips with shakeproof and locking washers, with supplementary pipe straps available where additional support is needed. The standard fitment is six pipe clips for TD and TF, increased to seven on the TF LHD and to eleven on the TD Mark II Competition Model, the higher Mark II count reflects the additional pipe support specified on the competition car. All hydraulic connections at the adaptors and hose ends are sealed with copper sealing washers; copper crushes to seal and should always be renewed when a connection is disturbed, as a previously-crushed washer will not seal reliably a second time.
Hose Replacement
Brake hoses deteriorate internally long before they show external signs of failure. Internal swelling restricts fluid return and can cause individual brakes to bind, while internal delamination can create a flap valve that holds pressure at the wheel cylinder after the pedal is released, both faults causing brake drag and overheating that is frequently misdiagnosed as a sticking caliper or wheel cylinder. All three hoses should be replaced as a set at regular intervals regardless of external appearance, with new sealing washers, locking nuts and shakeproof washers fitted at each connection.