Technical Rear brake pipe joint query…

[YorkshireFiat]

I’m just starting to replace my rear axle (08 Multijet).

Where the rear rigid brake pipe joins the flexi (mounted on the axle), it is so rusty I can’t work out how the flexi is fastened in place…! Can anyone give me some guidance please?

My rigid pipes have unfastened easily because they are copper with brass fittings, so I don’t have that issue to solve this time. Thankfully!!

Many thanks in advance.

 

[irc]

Same fixings as the other end of flexi pipe - sliding clip holds end of flexi in bracket welded to bodyshell.
Sometimes the clip disintegrates on removal.
I usually cut the flexi pipe and spin it off the rigid pipe, but the unions on the rigid pipes are sometimes pretty bad, in which case I replace the rigid pipes from the flexi pipe joints to the joints under the passenger footwell.
A couple of times I have had to remake the body brackets too. Simple, but it all takes time.

Also be careful with the handbrake cable supports - they sometimes come away with the cables, or just fall apart. Not much of a problem if it's only the pop rivets letting go, but worse if they disintegrate.

 

[YorkshireFiat]

sliding clip holds end of flexi in bracket welded to bodyshell.
Sometimes the clip disintegrates on removal.

So basically, assuming I can get replacement clips, and given that my rigid pipe is detached, I can just plan to destroy the clip / mounting point and clean up the flexi to re-fit with the new clip.

Is that right?

Any idea if the clips are available?

 

[irc]

They are available, although fiendishly expensive for a bent bit of thin metal. They have been used on lots of models over the years.
Can be got on ebay for a slightly more reasonable price by searching "fiat brake pipe clip" and ignoring the ones that are £8+ each.

 

[DaveMcT]

EBay sells perfectly good brake pipe clips. The hoses have a groove the clip slides into.
I replaced all of my hoses with braided stainless. I prefer the pedal feel and the additional cost is not silly money. Just copy the original setup and all will be well.

 

[DaveMcT]

I cut the old rubber hoses and spun the fragments off the steel lines. I then warmed the flare nuts so soften the plastic sheath ad the nuts came loose. The galvanised layer causes the plastic to swell and jam the nuts. I cleans off the bad plastic and bodged with copper grease. You could also paint the bare metal but that won’t protect the last few mm under the nut.