rear brake lines on 1956 Tbird

zuburg

zuburg

Senior Member
I see in the parts catalogs and other references, references to a rear brake hose similar to the front brake hoses. They only show one brake hose for the rear. My bird has metal lines all the way to the rear wheel cylinders. I also see metal lines in the catalogs so I assume the metal lines are normal?

My problem is the metal line fitting nut is rusted to the tubing so I can't loosen the nut without twisting the tubing. I have sprayed it good with penetrant and letting it sit a long while to see if that will help. If I damage the tube, I can replace that piece. On an old bird, with no knowledge of condition, should I replace all the lines? Will just flushing the system good and adding new fluid be enough?
 
If the outside of the steel lines are rusty I would replace them. I do all my TBird business with CASCO in Ohio. They have a Tech dept and restore Thunderbirds. I have used them for 20 years. Great people, excellent parts and always willing to help
 
X2 I had a rear brake lime fail, from chafing under the clamp on the axle tube. The rubber hose, lines to both sides, and clean the T fitting. If it's steel, probably it too. Brakes are the last place to cut a corner.
 
For stuck fittings, I hit those with a propane or mapp gas torch. Get it good and hot and it should come off fairly easily.
 
There is only one flex (rubber) hose that goes from the frame crossmember to the rear axle.

The rear axle has only metal tubing. The tubing is available through the Tbird suppliers or you can make your own from tubing from a parts store. I think that the fitting on the rear that the flex line and tubing connects to is available.

As others have said, brakes are not something you want to skimp on. If it looks bad, replace it.
 
paul2748 said:
There is only one flex (rubber) hose that goes from the frame crossmember to the rear axle.

The rear axle has only metal tubing. The tubing is available through the Tbird suppliers or you can make your own from tubing from a parts store. I think that the fitting on the rear that the flex line and tubing connects to is available.

As others have said, brakes are not something you want to skimp on. If it looks bad, replace it.
Click to expand...

The Birds should have that flex hose. I always replace all the hoses when I buy a new car. Yes, I've seen those brass blocks around. They are fairly rugged unless someone has gorillaed it.

Lines come pre-made in various lengths, starting at maybe 8", 12", 20" up to 60" in 10" steps. Unless you're doing a 100% restoration, you should be able to make one of those lengths work with some creative routing.
 
If you may do more than one car in a life time, invest in a good tubing bender, or rent one. The good benders can make tubes do neat things.
 
My favorite tubing bender is a floor jack handle. Can't drop it, misplace it and the height is perfect. I can do a 360* bend and slide it off the handle.
 
I have a set of these that I've had for 40+ years. They work great.
 

Attachments

  • Tubing Bender.jpg
    Tubing Bender.jpg
    16.2 KB · Views: 5
Well, after letting penetrating oil soak for a couple of days while I dealt with passing a kidney stone, I was able to remove the hard brake line and replace the wheel cylinder and shoes.

I also found the rear brake hose and will replace it tomorrow. Now for my curiosity question. I understand why their are brake hoses for the frontbto allow for the hubs to move. Why on earth if you are going to have hard lines to the brake cylinders on both rear wheels, why would you put a rubber brake hose in the middle of all those hard lines? Why not use all hard lines from the front to the rear and to bith wheel cylinders?
 
The hard lines mount to the frame. Then to the rear axle. The hose from the frame to the axle allows the axle to move. One in back. If you've got another hose back there, some modification was made.
 
Well, if that's the first thing you've missed while looking at it, you're way ahead of me. Most times I don't get it right until I've got it wrong, twice.

I'm glad you're going thru all those parts. Having lost the brakes a couple times and gotten lucky, there's no better place to do it right.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top