Need Help on finding Brake Line...
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Need Help on finding Brake Line...
Hey Guys!!
I'm back again!! It's been pretty busy around the ol' homestead. The Aero has rusted through a brake line!!! I went online to the parts stores to find one and no one seems to have it listed. It is the solid line that goes from the drivers side caliper up to an "equalizing valve" (looks like solid aluminum boxy shape where all of the lines hook into under the hood right nearby the reseviour). Does anyone know off hand if that is a dealer only part?? I'm going to call tommorow, but I'd thought I'd ask here.
Also after we replace the part, is there any special bleeding technique we will have to do to the Aero??
Totally off topic, we found out last week that the new wee one I'm baking is another girl!! Poor Hubby is outnumbered for sure now!!
I'm back again!! It's been pretty busy around the ol' homestead. The Aero has rusted through a brake line!!! I went online to the parts stores to find one and no one seems to have it listed. It is the solid line that goes from the drivers side caliper up to an "equalizing valve" (looks like solid aluminum boxy shape where all of the lines hook into under the hood right nearby the reseviour). Does anyone know off hand if that is a dealer only part?? I'm going to call tommorow, but I'd thought I'd ask here.
Also after we replace the part, is there any special bleeding technique we will have to do to the Aero??
Totally off topic, we found out last week that the new wee one I'm baking is another girl!! Poor Hubby is outnumbered for sure now!!
Elder User
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You might be able to buy pre flared straight tubing from the auto parts store. just match the length and bend yourself. Done it many times. Stores have racks of different size and length straight tubing. really should not be a problem.
Ken
Ken
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From: Portland, Oregon
shouldn't be. when i changed my brakes, i drained the reservour completly and put new fluid and only bled each side maybe 5 or six times. these areo's are SUPER easy to bleed. plus you can see the cool pulse of the ABS. lol
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From: North Jersey, New Jersey
As far as pre-bent goes your best bet is the dealer.
I never thought of bending them myself I remember the nightmare I had on one of my wagons. The rear line ran right around the back of the gas tank in a little depression. Getting the line to fit without kinking it ugh it still gives me nightmares.
It was the same scenario as yours though it just rusted through.
You have it easy though since its on the front and its a much shorter line.
As for bleeding most autos have a special order in the repair manual. Just make sure when your bleeding that the master cylinder is always filled with brake fluid. If you let it run dry you will have to start all over again and bleed the MC as well.
A general rule of thumb is bleed the closest brake line run to the MC then go in that order to the farthest line.
I never thought of bending them myself I remember the nightmare I had on one of my wagons. The rear line ran right around the back of the gas tank in a little depression. Getting the line to fit without kinking it ugh it still gives me nightmares.
It was the same scenario as yours though it just rusted through.
You have it easy though since its on the front and its a much shorter line.
As for bleeding most autos have a special order in the repair manual. Just make sure when your bleeding that the master cylinder is always filled with brake fluid. If you let it run dry you will have to start all over again and bleed the MC as well.
A general rule of thumb is bleed the closest brake line run to the MC then go in that order to the farthest line.
Last edited by krankshaft; Sep 22, 2007 at 02:39 AM.
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Well guys, I called the dealer and guess what they told me?? Anything 2000/2002 and older, you have to buy and bend your own line!!!! 
Hubby is not going to like this.... *sigh*..... I guess I will call my auto parts store owning bud and find out if he sells it and *maybe* could bend it for us..... DANG IT!!!! This was supposed to be EASY!!!
Hubby is not going to like this.... *sigh*..... I guess I will call my auto parts store owning bud and find out if he sells it and *maybe* could bend it for us..... DANG IT!!!! This was supposed to be EASY!!!
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Call around to some machine shops/metal fabricating shops, and ask them if they can bend the tubing and flare the end for you. I had to do this for a tranny line on my 80 mustang some years ago. Only cost a couple of dollars. Hope that helps
M
M
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From: Southern California
Cowgirl:
Measure the total length of the old tubing, then buy the pre-flared tubing (same length or slightly longer) and bend it yourself (or ask your friend to bend it for you). Don't try to flare the tube yourself since it'll leak for sure.
Congrats on the second girl. Your husband is probably just like my younger brother. Don't know how to make boys. Four girls, and then he and his wife just gave up.
Measure the total length of the old tubing, then buy the pre-flared tubing (same length or slightly longer) and bend it yourself (or ask your friend to bend it for you). Don't try to flare the tube yourself since it'll leak for sure.
Congrats on the second girl. Your husband is probably just like my younger brother. Don't know how to make boys. Four girls, and then he and his wife just gave up.
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Originally Posted by Mormakil
Call around to some machine shops/metal fabricating shops, and ask them if they can bend the tubing and flare the end for you. I had to do this for a tranny line on my 80 mustang some years ago. Only cost a couple of dollars. Hope that helps
M
M
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Originally Posted by copper_90680
Cowgirl:
Measure the total length of the old tubing, then buy the pre-flared tubing (same length or slightly longer) and bend it yourself (or ask your friend to bend it for you). Don't try to flare the tube yourself since it'll leak for sure.
Congrats on the second girl. Your husband is probably just like my younger brother. Don't know how to make boys. Four girls, and then he and his wife just gave up.
Measure the total length of the old tubing, then buy the pre-flared tubing (same length or slightly longer) and bend it yourself (or ask your friend to bend it for you). Don't try to flare the tube yourself since it'll leak for sure.
Congrats on the second girl. Your husband is probably just like my younger brother. Don't know how to make boys. Four girls, and then he and his wife just gave up.
Yea, Hubby's family was really rooting for a boy to carry on the family name--oh well. We are only doing 2, so this is it. But two girls being sisters--hopefully they will be two peas in a pod!!
Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2003
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From: SoCal
Find a pre-made line with the proper tube nuts on the ends. You can take your old line to the auto parts store to make sure. Bending pre-made lines is not that hard. You can get a simple tool for a few dollars, and just make the bends (as large of radius as possible) gentle to prevent kinking.
If you had to have them made up, make sure the shop forms double-flares on the tubing ends. This is for safety's sake; you want to make sure your brake lines are properly fabricated.
Also, if you had to have the lines fabricated, you can cut apart the old lines to retrieve the tube nuts to use them with the new lines.
If you had to have them made up, make sure the shop forms double-flares on the tubing ends. This is for safety's sake; you want to make sure your brake lines are properly fabricated.
Also, if you had to have the lines fabricated, you can cut apart the old lines to retrieve the tube nuts to use them with the new lines.
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Respectfully I must throw my two cents in. I get all of my odd things from our You Pick-it Salvage yard down here in Pensacola Fl. If your not in a hurry and just can't come up with the part, please give me all of the secret squirrel info. on the line and I'll peal two of them off for you for safe measure. I go all of the time on weekends and basically the items are pennies on the dollar. Just let me know. Have a nice day.--Boz
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Joined: Oct 2005
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From: Kiev, Ukraine
Howdy! What ACID U used as brake fluid? :-))
I used to purchaise tube for lines + nuts and I used special tool to install nut on line in place I want. I made clutch line. But I think it is not problem for USA to find new ore junk line.
I used to purchaise tube for lines + nuts and I used special tool to install nut on line in place I want. I made clutch line. But I think it is not problem for USA to find new ore junk line.
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You guys will not believe this but my DH (dearest husband) is actually excited to try and bend the brake line himself!!! I personally think he's crazy, but he like the idea of the challenge.... and a new tool!! 
Since he will have to buy a tool to bend the line.... I will let you know how it goes!! I don't think he will be tackling this challenge till tommorow evening. Tonight is his late night at work, and he still has to go "shopping".
Since he will have to buy a tool to bend the line.... I will let you know how it goes!! I don't think he will be tackling this challenge till tommorow evening. Tonight is his late night at work, and he still has to go "shopping".
Post Fiend
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From: Kiev, Ukraine
I dont really know why, but I think, your DH can manage it, but I dont know how, but everething will be ok.....
I'm not sure about hydravlic brakes, but mechanics of our company made new brake systems for semi-trailers with my project. They made all the brake lines for Electronic brake system (2S/2M and 6S/6M).
I'm not sure about hydravlic brakes, but mechanics of our company made new brake systems for semi-trailers with my project. They made all the brake lines for Electronic brake system (2S/2M and 6S/6M).
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Well guys, this must be the longest brake job work known to mankind!!! Due to scheduling conflicts, bad weather, and family obligations, DH *thought* he had finally gotten it finished last week.
I helped him bleed the brakes and when he took it out for a test drive, he discovered that even at 10 MPH, when he applied the brake pedal, the rears would lock up and the fronts didn't work!!! Not the best timing, since we were heading out of town for a wedding, and it would have to sit until we got back.
So tonight, we try bleeding the brakes again. DH is out test driving it again. So I do not know if we still have the same problem. What are your thoughts as to what might have happened??
I will update and let you know how the test drive went later....
ETA: Okay he's back, and the brakes work abiet not as well as he says they should. He apparently tried to get them to "lock" from 50 MPH, but all it did was "normal" braking--ie: slowing vehicle to a stop. I know, I know, I will have to take it out for myself to see what he's talking about, but I do not remember this van having that "screeching to a stop" ability anyways!!
I helped him bleed the brakes and when he took it out for a test drive, he discovered that even at 10 MPH, when he applied the brake pedal, the rears would lock up and the fronts didn't work!!! Not the best timing, since we were heading out of town for a wedding, and it would have to sit until we got back.
So tonight, we try bleeding the brakes again. DH is out test driving it again. So I do not know if we still have the same problem. What are your thoughts as to what might have happened??
I will update and let you know how the test drive went later....
ETA: Okay he's back, and the brakes work abiet not as well as he says they should. He apparently tried to get them to "lock" from 50 MPH, but all it did was "normal" braking--ie: slowing vehicle to a stop. I know, I know, I will have to take it out for myself to see what he's talking about, but I do not remember this van having that "screeching to a stop" ability anyways!!
Last edited by cowgirlmechanic; Oct 2, 2007 at 06:49 PM.