72 Europa Brakes

[BDA]

There are several ways to resize your pictures. This is the "approved" method. http://www.lotuseuropa.org/LotusForum/index.php?topic=1379.0

[Grumblebuns]

Having trouble finding one of the fittings, I used High pressure compression unions rated at 5000lbs, Dorman 730-5744. tried to attach a picture; however, it said the file was too large.

Yeah, I don't know if compression fittings are legal for automotive brake systems. What fitting are you having problems finding?

[jbcollier]

Nope, not legal.  Better than some things I’ve seen.  Try rubber hose and hose clamps.  Pedal was a bit soft.

[marks]

I tried R.D. for the 7/16 x 20 and the 3/8 x 24.  He had one but not the other.  I tried other sources; and they had the one but not the other one.  I now have excellent brake pressure; and with the spec of 5000 lbs of pressure; just wondering why they might not work.

[Bryan Boyle]

Having trouble finding one of the fittings, I used High pressure compression unions rated at 5000lbs, Dorman 730-5744. tried to attach a picture; however, it said the file was too large.

Yeah, I don't know if compression fittings are legal for automotive brake systems. What fitting are you having problems finding?

What about AN 37 degree w/tighten  down ferrule to capture the flare on the male fitting?  (I know...not legal for road, but we use them in brake systems on a 12,500 lb plane traveling down the runway at 100 mph on landing...)

[Grumblebuns]

I'm not an expert on this but a compression fitting uses a ferrule over a straight cut tube clamped under compression pressure. Nothing keeps the tube from slipping out except the pressure. It may hold under constant pressure but brakes are cyclical. This constant on/off change in pressure will eventually cause the ferrule to slip and with nothing holding the tube, it will eventually slip out ..... brake failure. This is my understanding of how compression fittings work.

Fedhill USA had 7/16" female tube nuts in 3/16" tube size many years ago but now is no longer listed on their webpage. Still may be worth a call to them to see if they have a few still available.  Also try these guys:

https://www.carbuilder.com/us/716-brass-tube-nut-female-for-316-tube

 

[Fotog]

I tried R.D. for the 7/16 x 20 and the 3/8 x 24.  He had one but not the other.

That's why I decided to just re-do the ends of both the jumpers and the existing lines with a 'normal' SAE 45 degree flare, and use an inverted-flare coupling to join them.  It gets around the issue of the difficult-to-obtain 7/16-20 fitting that would be needed otherwise.

[Grumblebuns]

I was just wondering, if the compression is already fitted, is the original flare cut off? There is no way to fit the ferrule over the flare.

[marks]

I did cut off the flare to put the compression fitting on.  These fittings are not like the old brass fittings, as they are fairly long.  With 5,000 pounds of pressure rating, would not the line go before the fitting. They are sold by NAPA for the size brake line I am using.  I am just trying to figure out what else they might be used for.  They do tighten snuggly on the line, so I do not see any slippage.  I can always go back and redo the lines if necessary.  I appreciate the comments! Mark

[Grumblebuns]

If you've already cut the old flare off the 7/16" fitting why not use the 3/8" male tube nuts and flares to finish the end? Female 3/8" tube nuts are readily available and will be a lot safer than a compression fitting.

[jbcollier]

If this is on a steel line, probably be ok though I wouldn't do it myself.  If this is on a copper (or copper alloy) line, forget it.  It will leak in time.

[marks]

I did some research and the compression unions that I used are DOT approved.  They are also used by some truckers.  I think that the normal pressure of brake lines is about 900 to 1000 pounds of pressure and the unions I used are rated higher than rubber hose connections.  I hope that I did not offend anyone, as my intent was just trying to be useful as a new member. Sincerely, Mark

[jbcollier]

No offence at all.  It's just that good Europa owners are hard to come by and we don't want to lose any.

[Grumblebuns]

Same here, let us know how they work out.