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MG MGA - Clutch pipe/brake pipe/Rebound strap

That's an unlikely combo, but then its been a sh!7 day in the shop.

I decided to replace the brakes, master cylinder, clutch cylinder and all the flexible hoses.

I won't bore you with details, but I now have to replace the clutch line from the master cylinder to the flex hose transition and the brake line from the master cylinder to the four way. I am about to order the parts. Before I do is there any particular wisdom I need to know? I've never bent brake lines so presume there is tool I need from Moss? Any tips for bending?

Now on to the rebound straps.

The existing straps have metal sleeves through the eyelets that run on the studs. Interestingly enough the sleeve can't get past the stud on the frame and the body; its about 1/4" too long (at least on the passenger side.)

I've checked Barney's site and it doesn't appear that that sleeve is supposed to be there. Or is it? Any feedback? I suppose I can grind the sleeve down and remove it, but its right next to the gas tank.

Thanks as always,

Tysen
Tysen McCarthy

Tysen, depending on the type of brake line you buy, you may or may not need to use a pipe bender. Copper or copper/nickel pipes are fairly easy to bend, while steel is a bit more difficult to deal with. And if a tight curve or complex curves are needed, you're better off using a tool. As for the actual bending process, there are a lot of videos on Youtube that can show you everything you need to know. Do remove the existing pipes carefully, without bending or breaking as best possible, as these should be used as templates for the new lines.

As for the straps, originals did not have metal sleeves; perhaps someone in the past installed an aftermarket or home made strap. For replacements, check out the Stapping Lad:

https://sites.google.com/site/strappingladshop/home

Lots of positive comments about his replacement units.
Nick Kopernik

I'm with Nick. No metal inserts in the straps.
Go for copper or copper nickel as they don't rust.
Hand bend, in small steps.
Art Pearse

Tysen
I am sure you will be fine, as I renewed the clutch lines on my sprite having never done it before. And if I can do it, anyone can!
I found it quite easy to very gently bend the copper piping without any special tool.
But a friend did help me out by cutting and flaring the lines for me. I do remember he said that there were two ways to flare it, and he had to do it a particular way - sorry its a bit vague but just putting it out there for you in case its relevant, and someone with more knowledge may be able to explain if there's anything for you to watch for.
When I fitted the new clutch slave, I also added a remote bleeding valve that was a great luxury - made bleeding so much easier, but of course that's a break from the traditional set up, which you may not want.

Good luck
Graham V

Tysen,
if you decide to use cupro-nickel brake pipes, be careful not to work the pipe too much if you have to straighten it out.

I used cupro-nickel for my new fuel pipes and I wanted the pipes to look perfectly straight along the chassis when it was installed.
So I bought a gadget called a pipe-straightener when, after you run the pipe through it, makes the pipe perfectly straight.
The problem was that the process of straightening the pipe also hardened it and so the first time I tried to put a bend into it, the pipe flattened and cracked.

I suppose I could have avoided this by annealing the section to be bent, but I was a bit wary of using a torch near to fuel tank etc.

Cheersw
Colyn


Colyn Firth

Try to buy the pipes pre-flared!
Art Pearse

Tysen

That sounds like a bad day. Had them too when go backwards; sometimes having a break is good (for me that can be for a tea, something to eat or to do something else - can be 30 minutes or 30 days!).

There is a great company here, Automec, that does pre-made brake line sets for cars; search for your MGA model and whether LHD or RHD: https://automec.co.uk/a/find/?nullsMake=MG&step=1 Shipping and import duty might put you off but the kits are great and just fit - happy customer for quite a few cars since the 1980s.

Cheers
Mike

M Wood

Thank you everyone. I ordered the piping from Moss.

Back to the strap. My issue here is that the metal inserts are too long to get off. They slide out and run into the frame.

I'd have to carefully grind off about 1/4" and its right next to the fuel tank.

Anybody have any ideas?
Tysen McCarthy

Tysen, a picture would help here; can you post one?
Nick Kopernik

Here is a photo of the rebound strap. It has a metal bushing through it when you try to slide it off it hits the pan of the trunk.



Tysen McCarthy

That's odd. Kind of looks like the strap is too wide. Also implies that the strap was installed while the body was off the frame.

If you push it back on, will it go on close to flush with the shoulder on the stud? If not, then wrong part and too wide.

I don't remember if original issue web straps had a steel sleeve or not.

Can you push the strap over on the tube so the strap might rest against the frame with the steel tube sticking out near or at the wall of the boot floor? If you can do that, then cur the end of the tube off with a Sawzall (or your favorite cut-off grinder).
Barney Gaylord

Good to hear from you Barney.

Yes it rests perfectly against the stop, as well as when the nut and washer are put on.

I'll have to cut them off. The uncomfortable part is that they are directly adjacent to the fuel tanks. I'll have to find a way to hang wet towels.

Tysen McCarthy

Tysen, could the bushing be a split type?
Nick Kopernik

Tyson,
Classic Tube sells pre-bent brake line kits. I have not used them so I cannot say how god they are but it’s an option. They also have the clutch line and fuel lines.

https://classictube.com/?s=&pf_search=1&post_type=product&year_=1957&make=MG&model=MGA&ymm_cat=BrakeLineKit&engine=AllEngine&ton=AllTon&duty=AllDuty&drive=AllDrive&cab=AllCab&box=AllBox

Jim
JL Cheatham

I have the same issue with a Frogeye project we are turning the corner on. The old straps had metal inserts (and these were the original straps as the car has been off the road for 45 years after a small accident) and the new straps don't allow the reuse of the old inserts

We are constantly being held up by the lack of availability of parts......
Dominic Clancy

This thread was discussed between 02/07/2021 and 23/08/2021

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