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Mk4 Roaster - Brake Lines
Hi,
i have been going through the forums and a bunch of posts from different people so just wondering what the consensus is for adding the "curly Q's" to the brake lines. Is this just to use up the whole length brake line, some say it helps with bleeding (not sure on that one). To me and by no means am I an expert it would just make sense to cut and flare the line to the right length to eliminate any possible place where air can get trapped, more work granted but neater and I can't ever remember seeing brake lines curled like that on any car I have ever seen or driven, is this just a Cobra thing.
From my trolling of the forum, It seems as if people do it either way. and run the line in many different ways. for me i am going to use the X brace as i have a Breaze battery box on route so need to keep the line out of the way of that, the rear will just come across the tube above the diff and stay away from the e-brake cables etc.
Mike
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Those loops were from back in the day when the brake line transitioned from the frame to the body to absorb vibration. Not so common anymore with unbodies so prevalent. You will rarely see it with modern cars. FF builds are completely rigid with the tube steel chassis so traditional reasons don't apply. You're right as well bleeding could be affected. Most, in this case, use them to take up slack with the kit provided brake lines so they don't have to cut and flare. I agree with you. Cut and flare the lines and no loops. The kit provided steel lines flare relatively easily. Other materials are easier. Some much more difficult like stainless. But don't pull them too tight. Leave enough slack to get the line off if needed.
Last edited by edwardb; 04-09-2026 at 09:57 PM.
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No loops. Do it right, and cut/reflare.
Greg
Built an early MkIII years ago, sold years ago. Back after 18 years to build a MkIV
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I'll third the no curly cues. As Paul said they're used when the MC is mounted to the body which is mounted to the frame with isolator bushings that flex and wear. The FFR cars are nothing like that so cut the lines and make them proper.
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Not a waxer
Yep, no curly cues. It wasn't out of the ordinary to see the OEMs using them for body on frame cars reason being that during assembly the master cylinders were installed on the body and the lines were installed on the chassis. When the two came down the assembly line and were mated the flexibility provided by the loops allowed for easier connection of the lines.
Jeff
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Originally Posted by
CDXXVII
Work of art!!
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Wow Nice job on your lines, somehow I don't think mine will look that good! I will try..