Beta Brake lines

[Pope1]

Just thought I'd share this find in case anyone else needs brake hoses for their Beta. Discovered that a company called Black Diamond in the UK makes kits for Betas. They are available (within about 5 days) from a several places and the cheapest appears to be about £53 (excluding tax) for a set of all 6 stainless steel braided hoses.

Click here: http://www.needforspeed.co.uk/pages/sbv_pl.asp?Vehicle=LNBET01&PartType=HKB01

The supplier ships overseas as well.

[Zagato78]

That is great news! Thanks for posting. Is needforspeed a reputable place to purchase from? Thanks again

Dan

[Jim Keller]

Yes, Awesom news! Thanks! I had a great deal of trouble getting good non-cracked "stock" hoses about 4 years ago here in the States, I kept getting "NOS" ones that looked almost as bad as the ones I wanted to replace and had to send several sets back, it was a real pain!. It is now book marked in my favorites for sure! :D Thanks again!

[obrienoffm]

This is a nice upgrade. FYI for the people in the states. I just got all new from Vick's in Fort Worth. New not NOS. Very nice indeed.

[DJ]

This is a nice upgrade. FYI for the people in the states. I just got all new from Vick's in Fort Worth. New not NOS. Very nice indeed.

Were these also braided lines or standard rubber hoses?

[Pope1]

That is great news! Thanks for posting. Is needforspeed a reputable place to purchase from? Thanks again

Dan

I must confess I don't know as I have not ordered from them before. However, I did send them an e-mail to enquire about the lead time on said hoses as I figured they would have to be made to order. They replied promptly with an estimate of 5 days and so I've ordered a set today. Will report back next week when I hope to have them in my hands. Watch this space...

[Will]

OK, I know the Beta coupe/spider has got that funny dual brake line circuit, but aren't the hoses all standard metric fittings? i.e. you could have them made to the appropriate length by numerous hose fabricators?

[Pope1]

OK, I know the Beta coupe/spider has got that funny dual brake line circuit, but aren't the hoses all standard metric fittings? i.e. you could have them made to the appropriate length by numerous hose fabricators?

Absolutely right Will. That's precisely what I was going to do myself but when I found that someone had already sorted out what I assume are the appropriate lengths and fittings, that seemed a convenient way to go.

[Pope1]

Well they arrived today, a little earlier than promised. They look decent and the lengths and fittings appear to be correct. The package contained 4 hoses at 21" (front I assume) two at 16" and 12 copper gaskets. My car is still overseas so I won't know for sure whether everything fits until April.

Altogether a better result than the last time I tried to get a set of stainless hoses about 10 years ago. On that occasion I ended up with two hoses at 24" each. 8O

[Fingers]

Hi Chris, do these lines have any sort of spec numbers on them? I want to know if they'll conform to the local regs.

[Pope1]

Hi Chris, do these lines have any sort of spec numbers on them? I want to know if they'll conform to the local regs.

No I'm afraid not Paul, there are no numbers or markings of any kind. Your best bet may be to get some custom made locally so as to be sure.

[Fingers]

Thanks Chris, I've cancelled my order for those ones and ordered the Goodrich TUV approved lines, another £22 but they're still cheaper than buying them locally. Thanks. I'm going to try to adapt some willwood calipers to the VX at some stage soon too. Once again cheaper online out of the UK.

[Jim Keller]

I now have a set of the Need for Speed braided brake lines myself and I am absolutely positive these will exceed any street requirements you may run into on inspections, they are much stronger and better quality than the factory ones without question. :) I can't wait to slam on the brakes a few hundred times and see how much diff they make! ;)

[Pope1]

Fitted mine yesterday. Found that everything fits OK except for one minor thing. At the point where they join the metal pipes, the end of the hose has to fit into a metal bracket. The holes in all the brackets were slightly too small and needed some work with a round file so that the end of the stainless hose would fit. It's not difficult to do but is slightly but can be slightly awkward.

I've still not been able to test mine yet. I have a bleed nipple that is completely stuck and so haven't been able to bleed the brakes yet.

[Jim Keller]

I have a Dremel, those brackets will be no problem! thanks for the warning! :)

Heat! get it red only at the base of the nipple wih a nice sharp flame, use lots of "Rust Eater" or similar type penetrating oil, let soak over night, do not forget to tap sharply, but not enough to deform the nipple and caliper, with a hammer after spraying the penetrating oil, that helps crack the rust film and allow the oil to get in good. Then heat the next day and carefully turn it out, if it twistes off, get an easyout and remove and replace it. Nipples are cheap once you get the stuck one out, but it can be a real PITA getting a crusty rusty one out, so I feel for you and will probably be in your shoes this coming weekend ::)

[omicron]

If you can't unbudge a bleed nipple, we have a conversion that takes a bigger nipple off the brake hose union.

[Pope1]

If you can't unbudge a bleed nipple, we have a conversion that takes a bigger nipple off the brake hose union.


Thanks Andrew. I really need to get the car back on the road pronto so I'm looking at alternatives.

[Pope1]

I have a Dremel, those brackets will be no problem! thanks for the warning! :)

Heat! get it red only at the base of the nipple wih a nice sharp flame, use lots of "Rust Eater" or similar type penetrating oil, let soak over night, do not forget to tap sharply, but not enough to deform the nipple and caliper, with a hammer after spraying the penetrating oil, that helps crack the rust film and allow the oil to get in good. Then heat the next day and carefully turn it out, if it twistes off, get an easyout and remove and replace it. Nipples are cheap once you get the stuck one out, but it can be a real PITA getting a crusty rusty one out, so I feel for you and will probably be in your shoes this coming weekend ::)


Thanks Jim. On finding the bracket problem my first thought was my own Dremel that is no longer here as I've already shipped it to the UK >:(

I'm going to have to get some help with that stupid nipple today. None of my tools are gripping it tightly enough and yesterday I broke a small vice that I was trying to grip it with!! My VX is serving as my regular driver for the next month and I've got a stack of things to do so ti's time to call in the cavalry.

I hope yours is a lot easier than this one has been.

[Pope1]

Job completed now. I've noted a slight improvement in braking feel and performance (after only a 5 minute drive I might add) but nothing earth shattering. I'll probably have another bleeding session at the week-end just to make absolutely sure I've got rid of all the air.

Looking forward to hearing your comments Jim when you've done yours.