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Fri Mar 05, 2010 2:43 am

I need to install all of the metal brake lines on my '51 deluxe. I purchased a brake line kit and a couple of tools for bending the lines. Unfortunately, I don't have the original brake lines to copy the bends.

Can someone post photos of what each metal brake line should look like (as far as the bends are concerned)? If someone out there has approximate dimensions that would be great also.

I've looked at the diagram on the '50 spare parts list, but I wanted to see actual photos. Also, the '52-'57 workshop manual wasn't too helpful.

Mahalos in advance!

Fri Mar 05, 2010 6:14 am

Here are two pictures of NOS og VW split brakes. These are old pics and not taken with special regard to the lines. Also the parts have been in a box for 50+ years some of the lines are probably bent. And the long line missing. If you need higher res pls pm your email.

click for bigger pic

Also you need to take into account that when the telescope shocks were introduced in Apr 1951 the rear backing plates were swapped from R->L and L->R. You need 3031mm e-brake cables for levers and 3131mm for telescopes.

Fri Mar 05, 2010 2:40 pm

Nice set Heikki! Those are some goodies! =P~

I'll try to mimic those bends from your photo. Thanks!

Can anyone share any photos of the metal brake lines installed in their split?

Sat Mar 27, 2010 10:01 am

thanks for the parts pics, they are helpful.
i have a few questions:
what are the parts circled in red? they look like the threaded fittings for the ends of metal lines, but are the for use somewhere else in the system?

i just removed these backing plates from what were labeled as 1953 axle tubes.

will they be compatible on my '51? i see there is no provision for the upper spring mounts (under where the adjusting stars go), but can that be compensated for by using one spring instead?
this was on the left side:

this was on the right side:

i am fairly certain i have no internal components for my rear brakes other than wheel cylinders and adjusting stars, so i have nothing to base my questions on, and pics in the gallery are few and far between (this pic is helpful http://images.thesamba.com/vw/gallery/pix/380737.jpg ). besides the classifieds, is there a good source for all the internal brake components like e-brake bar, spreader bar, springs, clips, brake shoes?

Sat Mar 27, 2010 10:37 am

last pic from the 51 user manual :

Sat Mar 27, 2010 10:55 am

HeSa wrote:
Also you need to take into account that when the telescope shocks were introduced in Apr 1951 the rear backing plates were swapped from R->L and L->R. You need 3031mm e-brake cables for levers and 3131mm for telescopes.

I have thought it should be possible to swap the backing plates and use the longer e-brake wires even with the lever dampers kept?

I will need to do that, and I'm also planning of using later (58-64) brakes as linings and cylinders are cheaper and easy available...

Sat Mar 27, 2010 11:35 pm

hazetguy wrote: thanks for the parts pics, they are helpful.
i have a few questions:
what are the parts circled in red? they look like the threaded fittings for the ends of metal lines, but are the for use somewhere else in the system?

i just removed these backing plates from what were labeled as 1953 axle tubes.

will they be compatible on my '51? i see there is no provision for the upper spring mounts (under where the adjusting stars go), but can that be compensated for by using one spring instead?

i am fairly certain i have no internal components for my rear brakes other than wheel cylinders and adjusting stars, so i have nothing to base my questions on, and pics in the gallery are few and far between (this pic is helpful http://images.thesamba.com/vw/gallery/pix/380737.jpg ).

besides the classifieds, is there a good source for all the internal brake components like e-brake bar, spreader bar, springs, clips, brake shoes?

There are 6 extra brake line fittings in the picture.

The linked gallery picture is from a Feb 1951 that had backing plates swapped and telescopes installed.

The spacer disappeared from the adjuster block on 13 Sept 1951, double springs were dropped on 26 Jan 1952 and the brake shoes changed to oval style on Jan 1954.

http://www.veteranen-service.de/ is a good source for all sort of weird old stuff.

Sun Mar 28, 2010 1:44 am

I bought the rear of a 1950 to get to the suspension components and gearbox. I would think below is "untouched" lever damper setup...

Thu Apr 08, 2010 9:55 am

thanks for the info.

i am wanting to keep my '51's brakes as original as possible. i do see the financial and parts availability benefits to changing to later brakes, but i do not want to do that at this point.

does anyone know where to get new correct brake return springs? the kit on wolfsburg west's website looks like a generic fits-all kit.
if someone has good used (or new) springs they would want to loan me, i would consider having them reproduced.
what year range do the 3 springs cover (2 small upper, clipping in the center of the backing plate, 1 lower near the wheel cylinder), and would it be worth it to have them made (as in "would people buy sets, do people need these")?

white post restorations will reline the shoes for $120 (plus shipping 2 ways) a set. is that unrealistic? anyone know of a less expensive place, or a place to buy new sets?

HeSa wrote: http://www.veteranen-service.de/ is a good source for all sort of weird old stuff.
all i get when i ever go to that site is a sample page and a link to buy a catalog. am i missing something?

Thu Apr 08, 2010 10:22 am

I might have some original springs I could loan for repro. I tore down quite a few early hubs/beams a while back and stored all the brake HW away..

Thu Apr 08, 2010 12:15 pm

hazetguy wrote: thanks for the info.

i am wanting to keep my '51's brakes as original as possible. i do see the financial and parts availability benefits to changing to later brakes, but i do not want to do that at this point.

does anyone know where to get new correct brake return springs? the kit on wolfsburg west's website looks like a generic fits-all kit.
if someone has good used (or new) springs they would want to loan me, i would consider having them reproduced.
what year range do the 3 springs cover (2 small upper, clipping in the center of the backing plate, 1 lower near the wheel cylinder), and would it be worth it to have them made (as in "would people buy sets, do people need these")?

white post restorations will reline the shoes for $120 (plus shipping 2 ways) a set. is that unrealistic? anyone know of a less expensive place, or a place to buy new sets?

HeSa wrote: http://www.veteranen-service.de/ is a good source for all sort of weird old stuff.
all i get when i ever go to that site is a sample page and a link to buy a catalog. am i missing something?

I do not think that the 3 per wheel split springs are available anywhere. Later setup probably replaced them in the spare parts program. IMHO it is a good idea to have them reproduced. Problem is that there are not too many splits with original shoes and springs around so the market could be pretty limited.

2 springs per wheel were introduced on 26 June 1952.

I would not pay 120 USD for baking meterware on the shoes. Original one axle liner kits are available for 10-20 Eur a box and riveting them on is a DIY job.

Buying the veteranen-service catalog is a good investment even you would never buy anything from them. Here´s one example why:

And the other: original early parts books cost 250-350 Eur pending condition and year.