Hi all.
What is the best way to replace our brake pipes.
I presume the originals are steel. But most garages want to use copper. I presume copper is much easier to work with.
Any suggestions would be gratefully received.
Brake lines
Re: Brake lines
Every car I've ever worked on I've done the replacements in copper or cunifer. As long as you use decent forming tool for the ends (which I would expect a garage to have), it's fine.
Make sure the garage spend a bit of time getting all the bends and straights all nice and uniform so it's tidy - some garages seem to loop it all round the engine bay because it saves a few minutes rather than getting it precise. Can't remember if the pipes go "over" the fuel tank or rear subframe on these - in which case to do a proper job it's more aggro - or if that was one of my other cars.
Make sure the garage spend a bit of time getting all the bends and straights all nice and uniform so it's tidy - some garages seem to loop it all round the engine bay because it saves a few minutes rather than getting it precise. Can't remember if the pipes go "over" the fuel tank or rear subframe on these - in which case to do a proper job it's more aggro - or if that was one of my other cars.
"not a professional engineer, mechanic and mechanist"
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steve2003rs6
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Re: Brake lines
Cheers Matt. I did my own copper brake lines donkeys years ago. On an escort iirc.
I didn’t know if things had moved on since then.
Will have to get them done soon.
I didn’t know if things had moved on since then.
Will have to get them done soon.
Re: Brake lines
Might be worth doing the flexis connected to the hard line at the same time, while you have it drained. You can get some lovely teflon/stainless hoses with pvc covers and stainless end fittings these days. If I still had mine, that would be on my todo list.
"not a professional engineer, mechanic and mechanist"
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steve2003rs6
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Re: Brake lines
Cheers buddy. Yes I will get new flexi hoses.
Looked at
Hel
Ebc
Forge motorsport
They all look good
I have opted for HEL stainless steel in carbon fibre look on the outer sleeve. Lifetime warranty.
Looked at
Hel
Ebc
Forge motorsport
They all look good
I have opted for HEL stainless steel in carbon fibre look on the outer sleeve. Lifetime warranty.
- Attachments
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Re: Brake lines
I went for the Hel flex front and rear on mine Steve. No complaints from the garage that fitted them. 
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steve2003rs6
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- Joined: Mon Aug 19, 2019 7:43 pm
Re: Brake lines
Cheers Chris. That’s comforting to know.
I did email HEL to check on compatibility. They confirmed they are suitable for the RS6 C5. They also confirmed that the avant and sedan are the same
Like you I have gone for front and rear flexible hoses. Ordered them today. 2-3 days delivery.
Then get the hard lines replaced at the same time.
That will be another job done. I can then concentrate on the rear end suspension revamp.
Update. Flexi hoses arrived 13/06/25.
Really pleased with them.
I did email HEL to check on compatibility. They confirmed they are suitable for the RS6 C5. They also confirmed that the avant and sedan are the same
Like you I have gone for front and rear flexible hoses. Ordered them today. 2-3 days delivery.
Then get the hard lines replaced at the same time.
That will be another job done. I can then concentrate on the rear end suspension revamp.
Update. Flexi hoses arrived 13/06/25.
Really pleased with them.