TR2/3/3A TR3 brake hose too short

[mikecjf]

For the past few years, I've been restoring a '59 TR3 that is really a mix between an early TR3 or TR2 engine/frame with a 1959 body tub. The car is just about ready to go, but I've been struggling with the brake system. It's got the Lockheed TR2-Tr3 to TS13045 brake lines and connectors (e.g. Moss connector number 589-000), with Griling disc brakes (Moss catalog caliper B assembly). The problem is with the brake hoses. The car, which hasn't been on the road since 1984, came with 14.5 inch brake hoses. These hoses attached the flange welded onto the frame at the Triumph factory. The replacement hoses with the correct connectors on both ends are only 11.5 inches, which when I connect them to the flange on the frame, crump way too much when the wheels are turned fully. I spent about the past three weeks trying to find a 14.5 inch replacement hose (Jaguar XK120 and MG TD were a close fit but the connector threads on the caliper side of the hose were incorrect), or have one custom made. I struck out on both of these efforts. I then decided to modify the brake hose bracket on the frame to work with the shorter hose. On searching around the Internet, I found that some TR3 frames have tabs for the brake lines welded on the coil spring housing. Is this stock or is it a modification? The 14.5 inch brake line seems to be the best solution (if I could find them) because the metal brake connectors/lines tuck nicely under the frame. Anyone have any thoughts on where I might find the 14.5 inch lines, or have any experience with the combination of Girling calipers and older connectors with the 11.5 inch hoses, and the connection to the frame?

 

[Harry_Ward]

"I found that some TR3 frames have tabs for the brake lines welded on the coil spring housing. Is this stock or is it a modification?"

I have a 59 TR3A with a girling brake system. Yes... there is an L shaped bracket or tab welded to the upper rear fixed side of the shock/spring housing. The L shaped bracket is actually welded to the upper metal bumper part that strikes the rubber bumper ball/stud when the front suspension bottoms out. The rubber brake line hose threaded end slips through a hole in the L shaped bracket which is secured with a nut to the bracket bottoming out the hose on the other side. The cone end of the main feed line screws to the threaded end of the rubber hose protruding out past that nut and the bracket. I believe this setup is stock to this model year. When I rebuilt my front calipers I didn't seem to have any problems finding various rubber and steel braided type hoses of different lengths to connect it up. So is your problem the bubble ends are different from the lockheed feed line to the girling calipers in the length you need? If so I'm not to sure how you would proceed but maybe if you went to a shop that builds rebuilds hydraulic hoses and had them make you a custom line? $$$$$$

If you think it will help I can take a picture of this setup for you and e-mail it if need be but I cannot do it tonight. Let me know.

Harry
CT
Sorry for the length but this was a tough one to describe for me.

 

[Russ Austin]

Hope this helps!

 

[martx-5]

Actually, that bracket is "Z" shaped...the bottom part of the "z" being welded on. Russ' attachment shows the bracket, but it's a little difficult to see how it's shaped. See the above attachment from my TR3, the shape is a little clearer.

 

[mikecjf]

Russ and Harry - thx a million for the replies. As it turns out, the threads on the pipe from the master cylinder to the TR2/older TR3 connector also has the non-standard threads, which I expect would work fine if I decided to change the master cylinder to the old style Lockheed tub for a mere $473. Instead, I'll change all of the brake lines/hoses/connectors to the later TR3 Girling pipes, which I expect I can do for about $200 (5-way connector is $81!). I'll also fabricate the bracket and weld it on as shown in the picture.

PS I'm the web guy for our local Triumph club, Triumph Register of Southern California. I'll change our Featured Car from tractor to my finished (???) car in a couple of weeks, along with some of the restoration photos. Link is
https://www.socaltriumphs.org/DesktopDefault.aspx