Copper or Kunifer Brake pipe.

Iamzod · 1 Nov 2015 at 17:05

A bit of advice needed. I am replacing the brake pipes on a car - all of them.

I have heard stories of copper not being suitable but all the local motor factors only sell copper and I've seen copper pipes fitted by garages.

I can get 25 feet of copper on my way home from work tomorrow however if I go for Kunifer I've got to mess around with delivery which i'll miss then have to go & fetch it at the weekend.

I presume one is harder to work with than the other?

Any advice appreciated.

Lopéz · 1 Nov 2015 at 17:44

I've replaced scores over the years and only ever used copper.

NoNameNoNumber · 1 Nov 2015 at 17:48

I used CuNiFer on both of my restorations and replaced the lines on my R53 with it too. It's a bit harder to flare but A) looks a lot better as it doesn't corrode and B) it can be bent to a much tighter radius than Cu.

I'll only ever use CuNiFer

Clarkey · 1 Nov 2015 at 18:02

Copper is the standard for replacement pipes, no? Never seen a copper one corroded before, always look shiny and nice.

NoNameNoNumber · 1 Nov 2015 at 18:06

Copper is fine. CuNiFer is better.

Lashout_UK · 1 Nov 2015 at 18:06

Whatever you do, avoid stainless. It's an absolute pig to work with and rarely seals well. Hate that it's fitted throughout my car. One day I'll revert to copper.

Gaverick · 1 Nov 2015 at 18:34

I like CuNifer much more than copper, fully braided is even better if you feel like splashing out!

Clarkey · 1 Nov 2015 at 18:44

Not really as there is room for the hose to move around a bit under pressure, a solid line is best.

Iamzod · 1 Nov 2015 at 18:52

I'm going for braided hoses where movement is needed, which is only from the inner wing to the suspension struts at the front and then a 3rd to the rear axle, the rest is to be solid pipes.

The ones in the engine bay all look fine, however they are 33 years old so I fancy replacing them. The ones that came off the standard calipers however were well past their use by date by the looks of them, I actually snapped one removing it. I imagine the ones on the rear axle will be a state too when I get to doing them.

I have read that copper is prone to cracking, is this utter tosh?

I don't think corrosion will be an issue, the car isn't going anywhere in the rain ever again.

jono_astra · 1 Nov 2015 at 19:34

Dogbreath · 1 Nov 2015 at 22:07

Gaverick said:
I like CuNifer much more than copper, fully braided is even better if you feel like splashing out!

Using aeroquip style hose throughout the braking system is a complete waste of money and won't offer any performance beneift (quite the opposite in fact). Just use flexible hoses where required, and copper-nickel alloy pipes everywhere else.

Iamzod · 1 Nov 2015 at 22:55

Dogbreath said:
Using aeroquip style hose throughout the braking system is a complete waste of money and won't offer any performance beneift (quite the opposite in fact). Just use flexible hoses where required, and copper-nickel alloy pipes everywhere else.

Are you saying braided hose is a waste of money?

Lopéz · 1 Nov 2015 at 23:14

Iamzod said:
Are you saying braided hose is a waste of money?

In place of hard lines, absolutely.

Iamzod · 1 Nov 2015 at 23:31

Lopéz said:
In place of hard lines, absolutely.

I think misread the post, I thought it meant in general, i'd never bin the hard lines.

Dogbreath · 2 Nov 2015 at 06:59

Iamzod said:
I think misread the post, I thought it meant in general, i'd never bin the hard lines.

Amazingly people do. I've seen quite a few cars that have had the entire brake hydraulic system plumbed in aeroquip hose.

nutcase · 2 Nov 2015 at 08:26

IIRC copper can crack whereas Kunifer is a little more forgiving when you're making the bends, do it slightly wrong and do it again.