Brake Lines
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Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2006
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From: Cornfield in Nebr.
Brake Lines
got a 83 & 86 f-150 and both have rusted brake lines along the frame and no back brakes,lol, must be a common thing for them to rust out as i did a 84 couple years back so off to the parts store for a pair of them,not real hard to fix but kinda a pain.anyone else have this problem?
Old School Hot Rodder
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 6,472
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From: Exmore, VA
I had a rear line rust through on mine a number of years ago at a campground in Gloucester County, VA. I had a devil of a time finding the right combination of lines/fittings to fix it on a weekend.
I kind of needed the rear circuit working for the trailer brakes.
I kind of needed the rear circuit working for the trailer brakes.
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Joined: Jan 2001
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From: Virginia
Very common problem. I actually replaced the rear lines on my 1980, and then about 6 years later had them rust through again. When I got the 89, I had the front left line bust open from rust. I just went ahead and replaced every line on it and got it over with. I then painted them, and then smeared grease over lines.
I noticed the parts store I go to now has a green coating on their universal brake lines. I wonder if it last longer than whatever they had on them before.
I noticed the parts store I go to now has a green coating on their universal brake lines. I wonder if it last longer than whatever they had on them before.
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Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2006
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From: Cornfield in Nebr.
the 86 line rusted on one of the clips that holds the lines to the frame, so i'm sure salt got up there and did a number on it,i'll check when i run in and get a new line and ask why they have the green coating on them and see what they say
This space for rent...
Joined: Apr 2009
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From: In the garage
I believe these were first used on European cars. The coating is to help prevent them from rusting. A couple buddies that work in the field have lamented how easily the lines crack when bending them. They've only been using it for about 6 months in shop and they're just as curious to see how they hold up to the salt belt.
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i was wondering if sleaving the lines would be worth the time or even effective. anybody try this?
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,776
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From: Lorain County, Ohio
I've been in brake line Hell for about 3 years now. Every single car in my family has needed brake lines!
- 3 late 90s Taurus
-94 and 96 Ranger
-95 F-150
-98-Honda Civic
-84, 85 and 89 Lincoln Mark VII (These use 1/4" line to the rear, a monumental PITA to bend correctly!)
-97 CVPI
That's 11 cars in 3 years! I don't know what they're using on the roads these days, but that's more lines than I've done in the preceding 15+ years.
When one blows, I just bite the bullet and buy a 20-25' roll of line and a handful of fittings and replace them all. Often requires one or two rubber lines. Usually if I cut the lines at the fittings and remove them with a 6pt socket, I can recycle any oddball fittings.
God, I hate doing brake lines!
- 3 late 90s Taurus
-94 and 96 Ranger
-95 F-150
-98-Honda Civic
-84, 85 and 89 Lincoln Mark VII (These use 1/4" line to the rear, a monumental PITA to bend correctly!)
-97 CVPI
That's 11 cars in 3 years! I don't know what they're using on the roads these days, but that's more lines than I've done in the preceding 15+ years.
When one blows, I just bite the bullet and buy a 20-25' roll of line and a handful of fittings and replace them all. Often requires one or two rubber lines. Usually if I cut the lines at the fittings and remove them with a 6pt socket, I can recycle any oddball fittings.
God, I hate doing brake lines!
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FTE Legend
Joined: May 2008
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From: In my own world
my 89 has 480,000 miles on it, so after the 2nd time replacing brake lines, when time 3 rolled around, I went ahead and redid everything in stainless. It cost more, but I never have to do it ever again
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