Brakes.. are broken.

[Brandons]

Alright quick and simple.

2000 focus - transportation to work, recently working on fixing exhaust leak, and the plastic pipe off the thermostat housing snaps off. Fluid peeing out. Go to car quest and hope for part to be there.

94 explorer - mainly just fun driving. rear brake line went, replace brake line half way up (since the other half is for some reason fine). carquest should have the parts for it.

and the problem, got to get to work tomorrow, its 12am and i have no way of getting there except the grandparents.. which means its a one way trip since they cant go at night.

I figured id do the brake lines on the truck however i need a bit of information if anyone would be nice enough to help. I just mainly need to know what the size of the line is, i think its something like 3/16 but id like to confirm just in case. Unfortunately it happens to be the 4" of line that was rusty that leaked, which had an unfortunate bend to it, are brake lines hard to bend when installing?

Thanks for any help, i may check back tonight or tomorrow morning, trying to have something done for noon (12 pm) tomorrow.

 

[jimbo74]

brake lines arent hard to bend, you just have to make sure you go slowly and dont kink it.....

 

[Brandons]

sounds possible for me, should i perhaps go for one of them lines they have with both ends already assembled with the fittings? Most of them have spring wrapped around them (which i presume prevents kinking when bending). I have the flare tools to put the fittings on the line as well.

thanks for the input jim

 

[Brandons]

I forgot to ask also if there is anything in particular i should know before bleeding the brake lines, ive never done it before however it seems pretty simple. thanks.

 

[marragtop]

You shouldn't need to flare the lines. Most auto stores sell the lines in lengths anywhere from 12" to 60". These lines already have the male fittings on both ends. I suggest you make sure you can get the bleeder screws loose before you buy the line. You may need to buy wheel cylinders as well.

 

[ExplorerDMB]

I had to bend both the lines up for a 95 ranger last month at work. It wasn't too bad. Just make sure you bend it right and yes, do not kink it. There is bubble flare and inverted flare ---- I believe most flares on wheel cylinders and invertered. Make sure you bleed the system afterwards.

-Drew

 

[DeRocha]

The line is 3/16" and will bend easily with just your hands. You can get a tubing bender if you need to make more precise bends, but I've found your hands work just fine. When bleeding your brakes ensure the brake fluid in the master cylinder is maxed out to prevent air from entering the system if you accidentally get carried away and pump too much fluid out before realizing the fluid is low.

I get a helper and use the standard method.
Start at the wheel farthest away (Rear: Right,Left Front: Right, left)
1) Insert a clear flexible tube over the bleeder (should fit snugly over the bleeder to make an air tight seal).
2) Max out the brake fluid.
3) Open the bleeder, have your helper slowly depress the brake pedal and keep it down.
4) Close the bleeder
5) Release brake pedal.
Repeat 2-5 until there are no air bubbles in the clear tube and the fluid runs clear. If you haven't bleed you brakes in awhile plain on running a quart+ of fluid through the lines to flush out the old fluid. Dark fluid is a sign of moisture contamination which will cause internal problems with the brake system.

 

[410Fortune]

Your Ford truck was built with the same length of hard lines that are available at the parts stores.
If you look closely you will see the hard lines run from the master to the ABS valve then more hard lines out, in one or two spots they are standard like 60" lines connected together......

Easy to find replacement parts and bend them up by hand.

 

[Brandons]

Got it all done and figured out, thanks for the help guys, it got me to work

*edit: And back hehe*