My brake line has a leak.

[natertater]

Whats up everybody??? It was suggested that I make a post introducing myself so I'm doing just that. I've got a 97 Explorer sport trac with about 160k on it. I joined this forum cause I was having problems with the brakes and was looking for some help in fixing them. Particularly the drivers side rear solid brake line has a leak and have been stranded at home while trying to figure out what I have to do to fix it :-(

I checked out a few other threads from other members and was able to find a pic of the brake line that is leaking

http://www.explorerforum.com/data/503/18205brake_line1.JPG

but not sure exactly how I should go about fixing it. Its leaking right from the connector where the solid line threads onto the coupler or whatever its called...not sure if its rusted out or what but thought I'd post and see if anyone can drop some knowledge for me.


Thanks for any help

Nate

 

[BrooklynBay]

Welcome to this forum! I've renamed your thread, and moved it into the stock 95-01 section. There is no 97 Sport Trac. Do you have a 2 door sport model? You could get a brake line bending tool, and replace your metal line that's leaking.

 

[jremington59]

Get a can of PB Blaster and spray that connection and the one closest to it a couple times a day for two days before taking it apart. Your going to have to remove the broken line, measure the length and put a new one on it. After that you have to bleed the brakes.

If you've never done it before you should get someone that has to show you how to bleed them. Brakes not done right can fail and get someone seriously hurt or worse.

 

[natertater]

Welcome to this forum! I've renamed your thread, and moved it into the stock 95-01 section. There is no 97 Sport Trac. Do you have a 2 door sport model? You could get a brake line bending tool, and replace your metal line that's leaking.

Hey thanks for responding...I may have possibly gotten the year wrong but its def a sport trac...possibly 95??

 

[safn1949]

And above all DO NOT use compression fittings when you replace the line.Get a flair tool and do a proper double flair....think hit the brakes in traffic and fitting pops at 60 mph,won't that be fun.You'll get to test your airbags.

So please don't do it.

 

[BrooklynBay]

We have two sections for the Sport Trac 2001-2005 & 2007+. Could you post a picture of your vehicle?

 

[natertater]

Sorry I dont have a digital camera/camera phone, but I'm gonna see if I can get a friend to take some pics for me so I can post eventually

 

[firepop5]

You can determine year by VIN number:

10th character- Identifies the model year. For example: 1988(J), 1989(K), 1990(L), 1991(M), 1992(N), 1993(P), 1994(R), 1995(S), 1996(T),
1997(V), 1998(W), 1999(X), 2000(Y)------2001(1), 2002(2), 2003(3)

 

[natertater]

Hello again! Sorry have not had a chance to log back in for a while, but I finally have the money for the fix and am going to attempt replacing the brake lines this weekend. So far I have cut the main brake line that runs from the master cylinder to the rear of the car. However I am having some trouble with figuring out which line to cut on the MC. There are three lines leading to it labeled HA, VL, and VH and I am not sure which one to undo. I get paid this friday so hopefully I can pick up the parts and work on it over the weekend. Also to recap on previous posts based on the information given on VIN it is a 97 explorer and I believe it is a sport cause it says sport on the back next to the explorer emblem. Thanks again for your information/help and I will update as soon as I finish the job.

 

[jlsparky7]

Heres a how to vid on brake bleeding.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l3kv-yUVEl4

You can have someone hold each long at the MC and you can shake the brake line that you cut, should be fairly obvious to tell which one needs replacing.