SSbrake lines for a 308

For some reason the lines from Orme Bros leak unless you use the copper washers they provide. The Goodridge lines I bought for my 308 from Demon Tweeks fit perfect and don't leak. 50GBP plus shipping.

 

Kelly, the OEm lines are less than $75.00 from Bill. I want to say around $40.00 but I'm not sure since it was awhile back that I ordered mine from him. If you want stainless order from the source in the UK that Jeremy did his did not leak.

 

My Goodridge lines from ORME were put in by my mechanic with no problem. I don't recall any copper washers in the package. When I got my Brembo big front brake kit recently, Perry308QV bought the Goodridge front lines that came off (Brembo kit has its own) and the same mechanic put them on Perry's QV... again, no problem. Sorry that yours had issues!

 

I just recieved a set of lines from Orme Bros. There ARE washers in the package. I will be installing them this week.
Mike, can you check with your mechanic to see if he installed the washers or not? I dont want to have to do it twice.

Thank you,
John

 

Did that include all 4, or just 2?

 

I called him, and he doesn't remember regarding the Goodridge lines. He DOES remember that the SS lines that came with the Brembo GT kit did have them. It probably depends on whether the Goodridge lines were made with flare fittings where they fit into the calipers (like the stock lines, which don't require the washers) or not.

Take a look at
http://70.85.40.84/~ferrari/discus/messages/112/331554.html
and http://70.85.40.84/~ferrari/discus/messages/256120/276286.html

 

Believe me , I know. I had to install my SS lines on my 308 3 TIMES!

After 2 installs w/ leaks, I tracked down the manufacturer of my Goodrich lines, which is Orme Bros. They FedEXed the copper gasket/washers out to me, and solved the problem.........

Greg

 

I ordered my Goodridge lines from tirerack.com
back when they still carried them for the 308.
No washers, the bevels for the flares were perfect,
and they haven't leaked a drop in all this time.

 

Where did you get them?

I talked with Juergan on Friday PM. Did he get your AC to work? After a lengthy talk, we think your car may have a different pully on the crank than mine and other's who've done the switch. We all got the longer belt to work.

 

I can't believe that you installed these lines 3 times and you just accepted the fact that you needed washers where there were none before.

 

Frank,
I'm not sure what you mean, by "accepted". These SSteel lines needed them, obviously. I'm pretty pi$$ed at the company I bought them from, for not knowing about the washers, but they said it was their suppliers' fault.
Personally, I believe that the selling agent should be held responsible for what they sell, but I didn't feel like getting lawyers involved!

Sean,
Thanks for getting w/ Juergen. Maybe my crank pulley IS different than yours. Is that even possible, with same-year 308s? Maybe a previous owner changed one of ours...
By the way, did you use a lower mounting bracket on your Sanden? I guess you would have had to fabricate it. Does yours have a double clutch? Mine does, makes it almost touch the gas tank.
I'll let you know the outcome. He's trying to make me pay for most of the labor, and all of the freon again, even though it was their install that failed. He says since I brought him all the stuff, he won't cover it, but I didn't bring him the mounting bolts, nor did I tell him to shim it out almost 2 inches! The problem was, it vibrated loose, and the threaded line connection loosened, allowing all the EXPENSIVE R12 to escape!
I'm pretty pi$$ed!!!

Greg

 

The ones Kelly installed were not even a close fit once the hard line was tightened to them there was a lot of play. The fittings them are being used on these ss lines is in no way close to the original fitting. I still can not believe people are using these lines with washers in there with the amount of pressure that is on these washers. Kelly was told to get the washers at a plumbing supply . using these washers on a garden hose is one thing using them on a brake system is something else. I wonder what testing has been done on this setup other then when people listen to the supplier and install this on their cars. My .02 is this company is one install away from being out of business

 

Like Robert, I ordered from Demon Tweeks, a set of Goodridge lines for my 328GTS, install went fine, no leaks. Cost less than $100 delivered a couple years ago, when the exchange rate was better.

 

Mine were from Orme Brothers (Goodridge USA) same as Kelly, but that was a year and a half ago... plug and play, no problems, no leaks.

 

Seems like the problem may be the difference between the prepackaged (factory made in UK) lines and what Orme Brothers is producing here in the USA using Goodridge parts...perhaps they have the wrong fittings?

 

I just took a good look at my lines made by Orme Bros. using Goodridge fittings. The fittings on my hoses are beveled to match the factory hardlines, however I think the washers are to account for the depth of the fitting. I will measure them later this morning with a caliper, but I think the depth of the fittings may be different not the bevel. The copper washers may be to make up the difference. Obviously if you screw a beveled fitting into a line and the nut/flange bottoms before the bevels do, its not sealing and its going to leak.
I will keep you posted.

John

 

It's entirely possible the pully is different on the crank. The Euro cars had a rotary compressor system (don't know why they were different) and Luigi may have not had a US pulley handy when he put yours together, or maybe he had to much wine at lunch and put the wrong pulley on yours. Lots of poeple have reported odd things on there cars.

The point of the change was to go to R134 and get rid of the R12 (the compressor and Oil Steve gave us will work with R12 however). I don't know what to tell you about the install of the AC. You'll have to work that out with him yourself. But remember, you did accept the system from him as it was installed and didn't question him on it (at least, I don't know if you did or not).

 

The washer is really a spacer to match depth. I don't see how they could present a problem in the future. They are TRAPPED in there tightly..

Greg

 

"It's entirely possible the pully is different on the crank. The Euro cars had a rotary compressor system (don't know why they were different) and Luigi may have not had a US pulley handy when he put yours together, or maybe he had to much wine at lunch and put the wrong pulley on yours. Lots of poeple have reported odd things on there cars.

The point of the change was to go to R134 and get rid of the R12 (the compressor and Oil Steve gave us will work with R12 however). I don't know what to tell you about the install of the AC. You'll have to work that out with him yourself. But remember, you did accept the system from him as it was installed and didn't question him on it (at least, I don't know if you did or not)."

Sean,
Yeah, I guess I'm not surprised that we may have different size crank pulleys. These cars were largely hand-built, and part variances were probably common.
As far as my "warranty" issue goes, does it matter if I accepted it or not?
The work performed by the company failed, regardless of my acceptance.
They should be responsible for their work! I did notice the excessive shimming, and commented on it, but they said they had no choice, the only option they found was to use a short belt ( I think a 825 or 850). The 875 was too long, even without shims. I still am not clear on why they didn't use the long belt, and use the tensioner.....

Oh well, the saga continues...... I'll let you know the outcome. BTW, I'm keeping my system R12--cools better....

Greg

 

When my Goodridge lines came in from the UK I measured their end fittings from every angle and compared them to the OEM lines that came off my car, Every critical dimension was EXACTLY the same as the Ferrari lines. Perhaps the European Goodridge lines use a different fitting to the Orme Bros. units but the end result is that mine went in with no washers and no leaks.

 

Many of us have "been there, done that" and wrote a story about it here on Ferrari Chat. Here are some pointers that deal with specific issue--specifically with the Orme Bros lines on 308s.

Here are three of my own threads.

Received my 308 stainless steel brake lines
http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=942

New stainless steel brake lines--now leaking, need flare seals?
http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=7104

Warning about Orme Brothers Brake Lines: Good service, wrong lines
http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=5168


In the end, it was a great upgrade, but there were some hiccups along the way and it wasn't the easiest job. I wrote about it so that it might be easier for those who attempt this in the future.

On a side note, it sounds like there are no issues with the Demon Tweeks kit for 328s, so hopefully if/when I do the upgrade, I'll use the Demon Tweeks lines and everything will fit fine.

Just to reiterate, when I did this on the 308 with Orme Bros lines, I absolutely was getting leaks until I installed the flare seals.

 

I installed my SS lines this weekend. My lines were ordered from Orme Bros. and had the correct Goodridge fittings. I measured the depth of the fittings versus the stock line and they were exactly the same therefore I elected to NOT use the included copper washers. They bolted right on and dont leak a drop. When I ordered them they were out of fittings and got some from the UK. Possibly mine are different/correct compared to lines they made in the past.
Either way, fit well, installed easy, dont leak, and cost $100.
I am pleased.

My long suspension/brake upgrade project is nearing completion. I should be on the scales by next weekend.

John

 

The only thing you need to make sure of on a 328 is that you get longer lines for the rear if its an ABS car.

I've just done mine on an 89 ABS car & the first set of lines they sent me were 80-100mm too short - it seems the ABS cars have a slightly wider track at the back. Goodridge didn't seem to know about this & they made me a new set up based on an overall dimension I gave them (375mm) which I got from measuring original hoses. In hindsight 375 is maybe 2-3mm too long.

I.