After the last MOT in September identified corroded brake pipes on the rear nearside I ordered a set of HEL stainless flexi pipes for front and rears with the intention of sorted them out when the spring weather arrived. Finally got around to giving them attrntion using my scissor lift, in order to get enough clearance to remove the centre plastic cover to get at the fixed metal pipes that run front to back I had to lift the car with my standard lift pads then lower the car onto a pair of drive on ramps front and back on the nearside then change the lift pads for a pair of extended height pads and relift the car using them. That gave access to the plastic 10mm nuts that hold the cover onto the car so it could come off to check the state of the fixed pipes.
Inspection revealed the pipes were still in good order front to back but where they emerge in the rear arch they were lightly rusted, rubbed down they cleaned up to bright metal and were treated to some black gloss metal paint. The flexi pipes were found to be corroded at their ferrals hidden underneath their plastic guides and the line connection guides. Had to take off the lower guide and cut the pipe out of it, it was seized solid. Cleaned all the guides and fitted the new flexi hoses, they come in a pair for each side. 14mm and 17mm spanners fitted the stainless fittings on the new hoses.
Plumbed the lines in and set about bleeding using my airline vaccum bleeder, system bled till no air bubbles emerged and checked all joints for any leaks, none found so wheel put back on and the centre plastic line cover put back on. Offside to be done tomorrow and maybe the fronts if the rear dosn't fight me. Would have hated attempting this job using axle stands, the extra height with the lift made the job far easier.
Inspection revealed the pipes were still in good order front to back but where they emerge in the rear arch they were lightly rusted, rubbed down they cleaned up to bright metal and were treated to some black gloss metal paint. The flexi pipes were found to be corroded at their ferrals hidden underneath their plastic guides and the line connection guides. Had to take off the lower guide and cut the pipe out of it, it was seized solid. Cleaned all the guides and fitted the new flexi hoses, they come in a pair for each side. 14mm and 17mm spanners fitted the stainless fittings on the new hoses.
Plumbed the lines in and set about bleeding using my airline vaccum bleeder, system bled till no air bubbles emerged and checked all joints for any leaks, none found so wheel put back on and the centre plastic line cover put back on. Offside to be done tomorrow and maybe the fronts if the rear dosn't fight me. Would have hated attempting this job using axle stands, the extra height with the lift made the job far easier.
North West Surrey
