I'm riding through town and glance over at something (IDK what it was) and when I look back, I see the tail-end of a Chevy coming up FAST!!! So, I mash the brakes to the floor... it's slowing down, then I feel and hear a "POP" and then my braking power is cut in half! Thankfully, there was a side road so I was able to yank the truck over before I smashed the Chevy in the rear (not that it would've been a bad thing). Got out and what do you know, one of those rubber lines in the front blew apart. Yikes! I get back in, think a little bit, then get on my computer and find the nearest Napa store. It's right up the road (and I mean RIGHT up the road). So, I put the ol' parking brake to use and creep up to the Napa. As if the Chevy wasn't close enough, I come up to a light and am slowing down and then cars end up in front of me in my lane! I hit the parking brake, then it locks up... I yanked it over to the shoulder, positive I was gonna smash the guard rail. I waited for the crunch but it never came. Next thing I know, I'm on the shoulder at the light and stopped safe and sound... the light went green and I crept into Napa, got my parts, and installed them just as my Dad showed up with the brake fluid to help me bleed the brakes. Then I drove it home and all was fine and dandy!

Now, I'm NOT looking to be told how stupid that was... it wasn't the safest thing to do, but sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do. I was already causing my folks enough grief with other things and I REALLY didn't wanna aggravate it any more. Normally, I don't rush to post stuff up, but I don't wanna see somebody else almost plow into the back of an unmarked cop car like me! Basically, these lines have these "protective" rubber sleaves over the lower crimp on the lines to "protect" them from... well... whatever. The problem is, they hold moisture and then rot the crimp out. This is what happened to so me... it rotted so bad that the end blew out and stranded me. You can tell if they need to be replaced by trying to spin the sleeve on the line. The only thing that should spin is the sleeve. If you've got one end of the line spinning with the sleeve, then it's time to replace it. Also, you'll feel the rusty crud in the sleeve as you spin it... I'm willing to let some stuff slide, but the brakes are NOT something to slack on. So yeah, hope this saves some of y'all from getting screwed... it's only by God's gracious hand that I made out like I did today.

Now for some pictures... they're pretty much self-explanatory:

 

Wow lucky you.
You think lubricating it with some kind of grease would protect it from rusting?
I will check that on mine .Thanks

 

jon, had something like that happen to me, in the pouring rain. i was i a buddy of mines back yard and i hooked up my small motorcycle trailer...i'm pulling out of his back yard(only about 9' wide from the garage to the fence) and all of a sudden my brake pedal goes right to the floor. the steel brake line that runs inbetween the gas tank and the frame rail was rotted and just let go. scared the crap out of me. i did the same limped it along on the emergency brake. repaired the steel line and replaced all the rubber lines. glad your alright.

 

Yes, blowing a brake line sucks swamp water.

If on flexible line blew out, I would replace them all.

 

Im with redford I would check the rest of them and replace!!

 

So i get confused reading stories like this......the chevy was coming up fast and then you hit him?? You got in your truck and left?? Do you know who you hit? a buddy? How is the front of your truck?

Like redford said i'd look everything over really good and replace all that looks like it might be on its way out. Hate to see you have that problem again and hit a FORD.

 

No, I didn't hit anything... it was that close. Yes, it was very scary! I replaced both front lines and the rear went out on my Dad when he had the truck. I'm gonna be completely resoing the brakes here soon so all other rubber will be replaced.

 

Well, you did say you "smashed the chevy in the rear". Must be slang for close call..

 

Why the HECK did you drive to NAPA! If it was right up road park truck and walk or since your Dad was coming anyway wait for him where you stopped.

You not only put yourself in danger but you could have seriously hurt someone or gotten someone killed. THINK next time!

Glad your OK and your truck is OK


"Sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do"

Yeah if your stuck out in the middle of know where and need to get there maybe 4 way flashers, driving on shoulder not going above 15MPH but in your case it was NOT ACCEPTABLE TO DRIVE TRUCK!

 

For the life of me I just don't understand why High quality S/S brake lines aren't installed in US built cars and trucks.

 

Me neither...

Wagion:

Just so you know, it was right up the road as 5 minutes DRIVING. I had not talked to my Dad at the time so I did not know he was coming out or even willing to... I know there were other ways to handle it, but I was tired and stressed out. This forum is to share ideas and knowledge, not to tell other members how stupid you think something they did was... let's keep it that way.

 

I'm going to check mine out today. Do they even make braided SS brake lines for our trucks?

 

Clay of Riffraff Diesel has them... I'm on my phone so I can't post a link. Someone wanna chime in?

 

Riffraff Diesel

 

this.......