suggestions on new fuel and brake center lines

[merrill]

so, just made a post on working on the rear brake lines,
I am fearful that I will need new fuel output and return & center brake lines.

is replacing these a real pain in the rear?  I am not too worried about working under the car etc,,, I am more worried about bending the lines to fit.

K&K can sell me the lines,  but they are shipped rolled up and I would have to bend them.

any suggestions?

[jeffc280sl]

Hi Matt,

The brake line to the rear end is steel and it terminates at the proportioning valve just over the rear axle.  From the valve to the wheel cylinders there is a combination of flexible and riged lines.  You can purchase the brake line almost anywhere.   You will need to purchase a flaring tool that does bubble flares if you intend to reuse your metric fittings.  You will also need a hand tool for bending the lines.  I've not replaced fuel lines.  I believe the main line is also steel but a larger diameter than the brake line.  Make sure the flaring and bending tools are suitable for the larger diameter pipe.

Diagrams of the brake line layout are available at the SLS site.

Jeff C.
1970 280SL 4-speed

[waltklatt]

Merrill,
Isnt there a NAPA autoparts place near you that can deliver a straight pipe with the proper lengths and fittings at the ends?  It would reduce your fears drastically and you can make the exact same bends yourself with a special pipe bender for the diameter pipe you are bending.  It's not a scary job, just bend the pipes like the originals.  The scary part is the removal of the old ones so you have enough of the pattern to follow.
Then you need ot bleed all the brakes.
If you go with the KK set, then you will have to straighten them out and bend them again with the pipe bender tool.
Walter Klatt
1967 220SL-diesel
1963 230SL-gas

[rwmastel]

quote:Originally posted by Lax882@aol.com

The brake line to the rear end is steel and it terminates at the proportioning valve just over the rear axle.

Isn't this only for Pagodas with rear disc brakes?

Rodd
Powell, Ohio, USA
1966 230SL, Euro, Auto, Leather, both  tops
1994 E420

[jeffc280sl]

Rodd is correct.  The booster to rear line for SL's with drum brakes terminates at a tee.  No proportioning device.

Jeff C.
1970 280SL 4-speed

[norton]

Hi Merrill Have a look at what these guys have.http://www.classictube.com/

Mike Halleck
Chesterfield Mi
71 280SL
68 250SL (parts car)
94 E320 Coupe

[Vince Canepa]

The dealer should be able to order the lines.  They come the right length and are pre-bent.  They are also the new material (as used in current production vehicles) and are covered with a protective coating.

Vince Canepa
1967 250SL
113.043-10-001543
568H Signal Red
116 Caviar MB-Tex

[merrill]

Vince,
called my local mb dealer regarding the brake lines, and mb will send me some line all coiled up just like K&K.  

just talked to tim at K&K and he is going to ship me the required materials. If it is not one thing it is another!

Sure hope to get this car on the road by spring time.

[J. Huber]

I just browsed the SLS catalog and if I am looking at the right stuff, they appear to have all the metal brake lines, pre-formed. Can't say for sure -- also the prices seem reasonable. In my particular case, my mechanic has replaced one of my rear metal lines, but looking at work-order I can't tell if he bent them himself or they came that way.

James
63 230SL

[merrill]

James,
yep, all the parts books show the lines bent, but the reality is they are not.
besides, how would you ship a center line that runs from the master cylinder to the rear of the car, shure would be a funny looking box.

matt

[J. Huber]

Good thinkin' Matt. Oh and thanks for another excuse for me to crawl under my car and see what mine look like! (we need an icon of a smiley guy with grease all over his forehead!)

James
63 230SL

[Vince Canepa]

I ordered lines from the dealer and they came full length, not coiled, with the fittings in place.  The ling one was taped to a strip of cardboard.

Vince Canepa
1967 250SL
113.043-10-001543
568H Signal Red
116 Caviar MB-Tex

[merrill]

Vince,
did the lines come pre bent to fit or just straight with fittings?
if your dealer was able to get you bent lines let me know which one it is and I will give them a call.

My local dealer would only commit to rolled up lines with fittings.

matt

[rwmastel]

quote:Originally posted by merrill

My local dealer would only commit to rolled up lines with fittings.

Even if you provide them with part numbers?

Rodd
Powell, Ohio, USA
1966 230SL, Euro, Auto, Leather, both  tops
1994 E420

[Ben]

I got lines, and some clutch cylinder lines, and they all came straight. These were MB parts in the proper packaging, the correct lenghts, flared correctly but ALL straight !

Had I known that I would have gone to my local store and got them immediately at half the price !

Regards,
Ben in Ireland.
'64 230SL 4sp.

[Vince Canepa]

Unfortunately, the dealer I got them from no longer sells Mercedes-Benz (Santa Cruz Imports).  I can dig out the part numbers; I'm sure I have the receipts in my records.  As I remember them, they came pre-bent although I had to do quite a bit of tweaking to get them to fit the way I wanted them.  That car is gone or I would take some photos.

Vince Canepa
1967 250SL
113.043-10-001543
568H Signal Red
116 Caviar MB-Tex

[Vince Canepa]

One more thing.  I would not fear bending the lines.  I would be much more worried about getting the bubble flares right.  The best tool for the flares is made by Hazet.  To get the bends right a simple bending tool like the Blue Point unit sold by Snap-On will do a perfect job.  That is what is nice about the factory parts.  They are pre-cut and flared.

Vince Canepa
1967 250SL
113.043-10-001543
568H Signal Red
116 Caviar MB-Tex

[George Des]

I ran into this same problem on my 230SL restoration. I ended up buying the ISO Bubble flaring tool sold by Eastwood along with their tubing bender. Messed up a couple learning how to do it, but the beauty of having the tool, is that you can pick up relatively cheap brake line at any auto parts store, cut off the double flares it comes with, cut to size, and use the ISO flaring tool to practice as much as you want til you get it right.

George Des

[merrill]

George,
so, I have one line from k&K that was too long, went to 5 different brake shops, brake specialists etc and no one could or would cut and flare the line for me.

went to pep boys, and spent $17 on their brake flaring tool, did some test runs and it works fine,  the one thing i found was to turn the tool over on the back side where it is flat, not beveled, the double flare looks just like  the one from mb.

guess those chain brake shops only know how to change parts but not much about making brake lines.