Clamps & Grommets

Plumbing your vehicle's fuel or brake system requires careful planning to ensure all components are secure. Mounting clamps firmly hold metal lines to the frame, chassis, or body to ensure they do not hang down where they can be snagged by road hazards while driving as well as protect them from road debris by keeping them tucked up and underneath the vehicle.

When plastic fuel or brake line mounting clamps will not work for your show vehicle, there are many custom options available, including billet, chrome, stainless steel, and more. These components help your plumbing stand out, whether under the hood or on the chassis of your street rod or custom application. Running lines parallel with each other using dual brake line clamps (such as 1/4 or 3/16 double brake line clamps) provides a neat and clean appearance as well, showing the attention to detail and careful planning invested into the vehicle.

The steps on how to attach brake line clamps vary, depending on the mounting clamp design. In many automotive applications brake line clamps 3/16 or 1/4 inch in size are used. In most cases, the clamp is first positioned over the line at the location where it will be attached to the frame or body. A hole is then drilled so that the clamp mounting bolt will go through it and be secured with a washer and nut. The hole may also be tapped so that the bolt can be threaded into it, securing the mount. There are other mounting designs available that require you to weld the clamp mount to the frame or chassis. The decision on which option to use is based off either preference or necessity. When you secure a brake hose, care must be used with the placement of brake line clamps for mounting. Flexible brake tubing is designed to allow movement due to steering or suspension distance changes such as at the rear end / rear axle differential as well as at the front steering hubs. Ideally, the hose is the correct length for maximum possible extension and the mounts are attached near either end.

Temporarily blocking a brake hard line requires either a brass or steel plug that will fit on the end. The plug must be strong enough to handle high pressures associated with brake hydraulics for static testing purposes. Air must be bled from the lines by creative means in order to prevent a spongy pedal feel as well.

Rubber brake hoses can be clamped to block fluid and flow with special brake line hose clamps/ hose pinch clamps. The brake line clamp tool / brake line pinch tool is operated by squeezing it over the hose and then locking it to keep the grip tight. Solid metal brake lines can't be clamped off in the same manner as doing so permanently damages the line.

There is not a safe method of clamping brake hose that is made with a braided stainless steel outer covering that will completely stop fluid flow and also not damage the hose. This is due to the stiffness created by the braided stainless steel that makes the hose difficult to pinch.