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Leaking brake lines

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Old 08-09-2015, 10:19 PM
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Leaking brake lines

Blew a hole in the 3/16 inch line to the rear on the left frame rail, behind the gas tank. Lost all brake function.

Got the truck home and inspected. The line was rusted bad about 6 ft long from the connection at the rear hose to the axle, up to the rear seat area ( crew cab). From the drivers seat forward, the line looks very good. The line across the rear axle from left to right looks very good.
I bought two 50 inch standard lines 3/16 inch. Started at the rear hose connection 6 inches behind the gas tank and ran forward to the rear seat area. Cut about 32 inches of the other 51 inch line and connected and ran forward to below the front seat area. There is a metric connector at this point. I cut an inch in front of it to eliminate it. NAPA sells a high psi compression fitting ( steel , 10,000#) that you can connect two 3/16 inch lines together. I did that under the drivers foot area. I have done two different 2002 F150s in the last year due to this failure. Something to look into. Not nice to loose brakes in traffic.

If your worried about the steel compression fitting, don't. I have used these on several cars and trucks over the last 15 years. Make sure you get the STEEL high pressure compression fitting. Total line replaced on CREW cab, 51 + 32 inches. Pops right back into the original plastic clamps.... I might mention, that is where the failure was, under the plastic clamp at the rear end of the gas tank area.......... crud must collect on the clamp.
 
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Old 08-11-2015, 04:45 PM
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Originally Posted by steve(ill)
Blew a hole in the 3/16 inch line to the rear on the left frame rail, behind the gas tank. Lost all brake function.

Got the truck home and inspected. The line was rusted bad about 6 ft long from the connection at the rear hose to the axle, up to the rear seat area ( crew cab). From the drivers seat forward, the line looks very good. The line across the rear axle from left to right looks very good.
I bought two 50 inch standard lines 3/16 inch. Started at the rear hose connection 6 inches behind the gas tank and ran forward to the rear seat area. Cut about 32 inches of the other 51 inch line and connected and ran forward to below the front seat area. There is a metric connector at this point. I cut an inch in front of it to eliminate it. NAPA sells a high psi compression fitting ( steel , 10,000#) that you can connect two 3/16 inch lines together. I did that under the drivers foot area. I have done two different 2002 F150s in the last year due to this failure. Something to look into. Not nice to loose brakes in traffic.

If your worried about the steel compression fitting, don't. I have used these on several cars and trucks over the last 15 years. Make sure you get the STEEL high pressure compression fitting. Total line replaced on CREW cab, 51 + 32 inches. Pops right back into the original plastic clamps.... I might mention, that is where the failure was, under the plastic clamp at the rear end of the gas tank area.......... crud must collect on the clamp.
good info
Is this just for the crew cab configuration?...or would this be applicable to the reg & super cab as well?
 
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Old 08-11-2015, 04:52 PM
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I would guess they are pretty much the same layout. I don't see anything specific about the CREW other than the length of the brake line....... Main reason to post was to get others with 12-14 year old trucks to LOOK... and my only problem was from the rear axle to the rear seat...hid somewhat by gas tank... line on axle OK, line from drivers seat floor to ABS OK.
 
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Old 08-11-2015, 05:15 PM
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Don't know about other states, but I don't think compression fittings pass PA Inspection.
 
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Old 08-11-2015, 07:56 PM
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..Steve is right! I did my rear lines on my 01 crew, last fall of 2014. My line was rotted right in that same area!! I sprayed all my lines down with Fluid Film afterward and I will do it again before this winter.....now if I could only get rid of the "fading" brake pedal!!!
 
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Old 08-11-2015, 08:51 PM
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Scalelman .... I don't know all the "rules" in all the states. Just wanted everyone to know that if you use the STEEL COMPRESSION fittings, they are made for 10,000 psi and work great. Normal copper fittings you buy at Lowes made for water lines are good for 300- 600 pounds... NOT GOOD. We have no inspections in Illinois.. even if we did, I doubt they would crawl under the truck and look up in the frame under the drivers seat..
 
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