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Hi, I have a 2003 E-250. The rear brakes were sticking and I tracked the problem down to a flexible hose that goes from the ABS unit to the hardline that runs back to the rear axle.
I ended up destroying the hard line taking it off the plugged hose so have to make a new one. While I was pulling the old hardline out I found what was probably the original rear brake hardline cut off and laying in the frame. So clearly someone has replaced the brake lines in the past.
now about this flexible hose, none of the parts stores seem to think it should be there. It looks like a standard raybestous brake hose with 3/8 female SAE connectors on both ends. About 12 inches long. All three lines coming out of the ABS controller seem to have this rubber hose installed. Its not available in Hawaii, but I can order it on Rockauto.
So my question is, shat would be there? Does the line going from the ABS controller to the hardliners need to be flexible?
"Coiled"
Since I'm having trouble getting this flexible hose I thought might just used some steel line and make a cool for flexibility. Just ditch the rubber hose all together.
I was afraid a vertical coil might cause someplace for an air bubble to get trapped.
Hi, I have a 2003 E-250. The rear brakes were sticking and I tracked the problem down to a flexible hose that goes from the ABS unit to the hardline that runs back to the rear axle.
First there are no flexible lines running from the ABS unit up front to the rear. Flexible lines are used only where the body meets the chassis, they're used only to eliminate any flexing of hard brake lines preventing breakage.
Originally Posted by john650
Its not available in Hawaii, but I can order it on Rockauto.
Please for your sake and wallet DO NOT buy anything from RockAuto. Once you've identified the needed part(s) seek the OEM stuff from Amazon, eBay or FordPartsGiant. OEM flexible lines are NOT cheap but the cheap stuff is NOT good for long life either.
Originally Posted by john650
So my question is, shat would be there? Does the line going from the ABS controller to the hardliners need to be flexible?
Post a few photos of what you're dealing with---none of this makes sense.
Sorry you don't like RockAuto... I've only gotten a couple things from them but they are one of the only vendors that ship USPS which is the most economical option to Hawaii. Everywhere else wants $35 in shipping for a $15 part
Someone has definitely cobbled those brake lines--what's showing in your video is NOT stock. Up front the hard lines from the ABS unit to their transition to the flexible lines will look something like this:
The other fitting in you hand described as "an obvious aftermarket part" is actually the OEM or original fitting out of the ABS unit where the hard line runs to the fixed point on the chassis where it is connected to the flexible line. Someone has grafted an end fitting for the incorrectly installed flexible line. If you make new hard lines use that fitting for the ABS unit and double flare the opposite end for the chassis side connector.
Someone has definitely cobbled those brake lines...
The other fitting in you hand described as "an obvious aftermarket part" is actually the OEM or original fitting out of the ABS unit where the hard line runs to the fixed point on the chassis where it is connected to the flexible line. Someone has grafted an end fitting for the incorrectly installed flexible line. If you make new hard lines use that fitting for the ABS unit and double flare the opposite end for the chassis side connector.
Yep, thIs van seems to have had a lot of "work done"🙂
The reason i thought that short "L" shaped line was aftermarket because it has the same color as the lines they sell at O'Reilly. That and the fact that it seems like they changed every brake line.
One question. Does the connection going into the ABS unit get an SAE double flare?
Thanks to everyone who responded. I really appreciate all your help.
