A complete copper brake pipe kit provides all the rigid pipe sections needed for a full brake system renewal, pre-formed to the correct bends and lengths for straightforward installation. Copper pipe offers several advantages over the original steel pipe: it is significantly easier to form and shape during installation (steel pipe work-hardens and becomes brittle when bent), it provides excellent corrosion resistance without the need for plating, and it has an attractive appearance that suits a restored engine bay.
Front Brakes
The kit typically includes all pipes from the master cylinder to the front callipers, from the master cylinder to the rear flexible hose, and the short pipe sections on the rear axle from the flexible hose to the wheel cylinders. Each pipe is supplied with the correct end fittings (usually 3/8" UNF male flare nuts for the Midget’s metric/imperial hybrid system) already fitted and the pipe pre-formed to the approximate bends required.
Front Brakes Specification
When fitting new pipes, the routing should follow the original path, secured to the body by the original clips at each mounting point. The pipes should be routed away from heat sources (particularly the exhaust manifold and front pipe), away from moving components (steering rack, suspension arms), and should not be in tension, a pipe under tension will fatigue and crack at the fitting. All connections should be tightened by hand first to ensure the flare seats correctly against the fitting, then final-tightened with a flare nut spanner (not an open-ended spanner, which will round the fitting). The system must be bled thoroughly after fitting, starting from the wheel furthest from the master cylinder.