Busted brake line, i think

[xitsmike]

first off, i only have a passing knowledge of the mechanics involved in my car. 92 explorer EB, Ive done oil changes, replaced lifters (with some help), some other things. Never had to mess with anything braking or suspension related.

So, i was driving for a few days and noticing that when i drove off with my truck cold when i would brake they would be Very sensitive the first few times braking, light pressure would lock up my tires at low speed. Just today when i tried to brake i felt a pop and kept going. Saw brake fluid where it happened on the ground, and dripping from by the front right tire. when i brake now with it sittin i can hear it spraying and see the spray on the top of the wheel-well.

Anyway, i think its a brake line but i havent had a chance to really get under and find the spot, i can only see that its NOT the line from the strut to the caliper, no fluid is coming from here. So im gonna try and wing it tomorrow but anything i should know ill appreciate it and sorry for the long post.

Thanks
Mike

 

[DeRocha]

It could be a brake line but I would suspect a tear in the Flexible rubber hose. The hose connects the Hard Brake line on the upper Coil spring Bucket to the Brake caliper. Anyway Do NOT let the brake fluid in the Master cyclinder get low, or you'll have a very HARD time purging the air form it. I would not drive the vehicle until it it repaired. The Rear brakes will still work, but they are poor substitutes for the front Disc brakes.

BTW: Brake fluid is extremely corrosive and will eat through paint etc.

 

[xitsmike]

ok thx for the reply, as u can see by my response time im sittin here refreshing the page for replys lol.

supposing that is the case, i would assume its a pretty easy repair then.

about the brake fluid, is it corrosive enough to eat through say metal? and how about spots on the driveway, it seems somewhat oil based, will it wash away?

thanks

 

[DeRocha]

After filling up the brake fluid to the top have a helper step on the brakes. It should be obvious were the fluid leaks out since the lines will be under lots of pressure and it will make a loud swishing sould... Anyway Hard brake line (pre-flaired with fittings on both ends) can be had @ all autostores for under $6 per segment. Hard line can easily be formed by using your hands or a small tube bender. The hardline should be 3/16".

 

[DeRocha]

Brake fluid will not eat through metal, just paint. My rear brake line let go and sprayed fluid on my painted leaf springs. The stuff acted like paint stripper and bubbled the paint in no time...

I never worked with brake lines before the above incident. I was slightly apprehensive about bending the lines and getting it just right etc... But other members said it was easy to work with and they were correct. I fixed the entire brake line from the front ABS controller next to my radiator the the rear axle for under $20... I picked up various sizes of line and just returned the ones I didn't need.

 

[xitsmike]

ok i think ill be ok then, pretty much find the broken length, unscrew it (?), bend the new length the same and install it the same way. bleed the lines and top off the fluid. am i right?

 

[DeRocha]

Correct, Your just want to be carefull and not round off any of the old fittings (if they are being re-used). They make special brake fitting wrenches which surround the nut more to help prevent you from rounding then off. I would keep an eye on the brake fluid to keep it maxed at all times. Bleeding the master cyclinder (if the fluid gets too low) can be like getting that tiny air bubble out of those snow globes PITA...