I am reassembling a '67 Beetle from a body off restoration and encountered an unusual problem. The brake fluid reservoir is mounted behind the spare tire and has rubber blue hose and metal lines that lead to the master cylinder. The blue replacement rubber hose connects fine to the master cylinder nipples and to the metal line that runs under the steering arms. But the other end has a rubber hose connection between the metal line that has run under the steering arms and to the metal lines coming out of the brake fluid reservoir. But my problem is that the metal lines coming out of the brake fluid reservoir are quite a bit smaller and the hose fits too loosely to prevent brake fluid leaking without using a clamp.
The original hoses were very old and hard, but had no clamps. I've talked to a lot of people with much more experience than I on VWs and they say they have never encountered such a thing. The metal lines should all be the same size so as to attach to the blue brake line hose. But the old hose was tight. Maybe there was a special hose there? Or maybe they used some sort of rubber sleeve at one end?
I could just put clamps on it, but I really want it to go back original. Has anyone ever encounter such a thing? Is there a special hose to be used here or am I missing something?
I would appreciate any feedback on this. Thanks! 🙂
Drive a vintage VW Beetle . . .
it's much easier to push when it breaks down!