Spitfire Spitfire brake line removal ?

[TR3driver]

Has anyone tried removing the hard brake line that runs across the front of a 71 Spit, with the engine, steering, etc. still in place ? Can you tell me how to do it?

I'm trying to answer a question that came in through the local club's help desk, but I have very little experience with Spitfires.

 

[Andrew Mace]

Randall, it's tricky, but I suspect it can be done with patience. At worst, it might involve undoing radiator hoses and motor mounts and carefully jacking the engine at the front for clearance.

The line itself comes from a junction on the LH frame rail, goes forward through an "arch" in the LH suspension turret where the inner mount to the frame is, then turns and goes across the top face of the crossmember. It's held down by a couple of those bend-down tabs for which Triumph is famous, and a clip or two where it climbs up the RH turret towards the connection for the hose to the caliper.

See #7 in this picture from the Canley Classics web site; it might help.