Brake Lines
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Senior User
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 156
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From: Marshfield, MO
Brake Lines
I recently purchased an '88 Ranger 4wd, regular cab. Yesterday the steel line going to the rear brakes broke. Does anyone know the length of this line? I figure I should replace the whole thing on a truck this old to avoid chasing other weak spots in the line.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,338
Likes: 6
From: UPSTATE NY
just had this problem with my dads buick. the rear line was corroded so bad it had a pinhole leak. i went to the closest dealer and ordered a new one for 25 bucks. then while we were bleeding it, the front brake line blew out for the same reason! unbelievable
now for the front one we bought a bender, rented the double flaring tool. bunch of brake line, and fabbed a new one. once you practice it a few times, you realize that you could do all custom brake lines for a whole car and its not that hard.
now for the front one we bought a bender, rented the double flaring tool. bunch of brake line, and fabbed a new one. once you practice it a few times, you realize that you could do all custom brake lines for a whole car and its not that hard.
Senior User
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 238
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From: Horseheads NY
You don't have to buy prebent line. Just take off both fitting at each end or the line, measure how much you need, got to the parts store and tell them you need X amount of line and they have to have these ends on them. They will give you a union to put two line together. Its not hard..
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Senior User
Joined: Dec 2008
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From: Marshfield, MO
The parts stores don't sell a replacement line, just the make it yourself generic line.
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,436
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From: Virginia
I had to make all of my own hard lines. I looked as well, and no one seemed to make them. I went with stainless lines you can order from Jegs. Just order all the length you need.
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Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2003
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From: Frequently frozen MN
What little I know
- Napa sells line in various standard lengths with ends on
- You can pick up a cheap bender -- it's a good idea
- I've read that you can use a string to get an accurate length measurement -- it should work
- dealer is very unlikely to have a replacement
- Some parts stores may make up lines for you -- but they would probably be non chain stores
Flaring is a little bit of an art (not one that I know). You want a good tool
(and you want to put the 2nd fitting on the line before you finish flaring it
)
You can buy complete replacement pre bent sets on line (every line for your vehicle) They're not cheap . I think that one place is classictube.com
G2ICk, I'm glad that you had good luck with stainless -- everything that I've ever seen said that they were very difficult.
- Napa sells line in various standard lengths with ends on
- You can pick up a cheap bender -- it's a good idea
- I've read that you can use a string to get an accurate length measurement -- it should work
- dealer is very unlikely to have a replacement
- Some parts stores may make up lines for you -- but they would probably be non chain stores
Flaring is a little bit of an art (not one that I know). You want a good tool
(and you want to put the 2nd fitting on the line before you finish flaring it
)You can buy complete replacement pre bent sets on line (every line for your vehicle) They're not cheap . I think that one place is classictube.com
G2ICk, I'm glad that you had good luck with stainless -- everything that I've ever seen said that they were very difficult.
Senior User
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 238
Likes: 1
From: Horseheads NY
If you have to bend it your self which is no big deal at all, I will use a socket or spray pain can to bend lines when I have to do them for people. No kinks, works pretty good... Your lines that run from front to back dont have any real sharp bends anyway. Just the one where it will go into the spliter for the rear lines. And that not usually a very sharp bend. They dont have to match the original lines. They just have to make it from A to B and not rub or be kinked.....
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