Check your rear brake lines!

[bullnerd]

I just had my rear brake line blow out due to rust. 2000 XLT with 166,000mi.

This is the third ford I have experienced this with.93 expo,98 windstar.

Mechanic says they see them all the time.

Drive way is a foot of snow otherwise I would have fixed it myself.Cost $100 to have local guy do it.

 

[69Mach1]

How often do you change your brake fluid? Brake fluid will pull moisture from the air right through a rubber hose. Moisture = rusted line.

 

[waskly]

think he is referring to the metal line over the diff, they over time rust through from the elements. and leak.

 

[snoranger]

I've had that happen twice. Most recently was on my 95 Ex. I was in the left lane doing 65. Someone pulled out of a parking lot and crossed all 3 lanes to get right in front of me at blistering speed of 25 MPH. The light 20 yards or so in front of him turned yellow, he thought it would be wise to stop. I slammed on the brakes with ALL my force. The pedal felt good for about 1 second then it dropped to the floor. I cut the wheel to the left, went into the grass median, squeezed in between his car and the traffic light post, jumped off the curb, went through the intersection, then stopped safely in a parking lot.

SO, yeah. Check your rear brake lines every so often.

 

[Paraphoe]

This is actually on my spring/summer "to-do" list, because mine are realllly ****ty. it's only a matter of time before they give out on me. 14 years in the rust belt will do that, I guess.

 

[goheels681]

What kinds of things should someone look for when they check the lines? I'd always heard about stainless-steel brake lines- are they worth any looking in to?

 

[Paraphoe]

I have a question about this - I'm bringing the truck in in 2 weeks for inspection and I want to get the rear brake line over the diff finally replaced and have the system flushed. From what I can see, the vast majority of the lines look to be in good shape. Is it possible for the mechanic to just cut out the bad section in the rear, replace that with stainless steel, and connect it to the rest of the existing lines? Forgive my ignorance, I know nothing about cutting/replacing brake lines.

 

[lounge lizard]

the line in question is ties into a set of mounting blocks that the rubber caliper lines go into.

and on the left side of the axle is a block that ties a rubber line to the main line that runs along the frame.
they can change that line completely with out having to cut anything.


the only other lines that should be looked at are the ones that run up around the shock tower on the driver side for the "ABS" unit.

 

[Paraphoe]

Thanks George! Exactly what I wanted to hear. I'll check out the other lines as well.

 

[Garth]

Mine blew out twice. 1st time it (brake fluid) leaked out over night and the brake was dead the next day. Meineke did the repair, replaced one side of the tubing. 2nd time was while making an emergency stop, pressure loss. Luckily an accident could have been avoided. Now I know I should check all the lines for rust.

 

[kevinspann]

The one going across the rear axle popped on mine, right where the bracket holds it in place. That is the first place I would check on ANY of them.

 

[imp]

The one going across the rear axle popped on mine, right where the bracket holds it in place. That is the first place I would check on ANY of them.

Exactly same on mine. It looked like the OUTSIDE of the tubing was abraded deeply by the steel bracket which holds the line tightly against the diff. I suspect it is more of a VIBRATION-CAUSED problem than moisture within, or elements without. Rear axles bounce and vibrate constantly especially on rough pavement.

If you want to check the line there, pry the bracket upwards (it's "U"-shaped) off the brake line, not too much, just enough to free the line, then wipe line clean in area where it contacts bracket. If wear is present, it will be visible, along with rust. imp

 

[mikepier]

I replaced mine myself a couple of years ago. Auto Zone had the right length, 51" if I remember fo like $6-$8.
The toughest part was trying to bend the new line into shape. Other than that it was straightfoward.

 

[drdoom]

The one going across the rear axle popped on mine, right where the bracket holds it in place. That is the first place I would check on ANY of them.

Same here.

 

[albi1cnobi1]

Ditto on mine. I was in WVa on a winding mountain road when the line across the diff decided to give out. Same place, right where the bracket is welded on. Luckily I was headed into town to pick up some supplies(beer) so I limped into Autozone under e-brake stopping power and replaced it in their parking lot. Tragedy avoided.

 

[Tom G]

same here.

x3

 

[firepop5]

I would put a couple of coats of spray paint on the new line to prevent rust from forming.

 

[Tom G]

I would put a couple of coats of spray paint on the new line to prevent rust from forming.

Chaffing from the bracket will cut right through the paint

 

[phork]

Sorry to dredge up an old post but I can't find much info. The standard line problem across the back has hit me. So when I go buy the premade line do I get the standard fittings or the metric? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[delexploder]

I know mine were standard and for anyone else still looking at this thread bend the tab back a little make a loop or a hole use two zip ties on the tube to hold another ziptie that you loop through the bracket. Its an easy cheap way to prevent this problem kinda like homemade plug wire looms