At 05:35 PM 10/10/2008, Max Wellhouse wrote...
>My question is, Mercury took a "circuitous" route with these factory
>lines and I don't see the logic behind it...I guess my other question
>is why are  the factory lines mounted in
>the little plastic holders?  Is this a safety thing?

The routing may have been partially determined by manufacturing
efficiency. The plastic clips keep the lines in place, and from
vibrating, to keep them from "work hardening," and getting brittle. If
the clips are broken, at least figure a way to tie-wrap them in place.

If you have to ask the question, then it's best to follow the factory
routing, in the absence of expert advice from someone familiar with
that car. A beer bottle works great for bending brake lines to shape.