How Long Should It A Mechanic To Repair My Brake Lines

Wondering how to repair a brake line? Not to worry, you're in the right place!

In this ProperMechanic.com guide, we'll show you how to:

The two reasons restriction lines usually fail
How to install a new brake line, or
How to exercise a fractional DIY brake line repair

And more!

Man Repairing a Brake Line

If you lot've ever gone to button the brake pedal downwardly only to notice that it drops to the flooring with little resistance, y'all are well aware of the symptoms of a sizable brake fluid leak and the fearful experience that this can cause.

Brake fluid leaks are an all too common problem that is encountered past a meaning number of motorists each year.

So, before you dive in to your DIY project, I recommend you read on to learn how to repair your restriction line well!

What Causes Brake Line Failure?

Two of the most common causes of a brake fluid leak are failures in wheel-end components such as brake calipers and wheel cylinders, as well as corroded or rusted-out brake lines.

While the first of these ii issues require a simple component replacement, the latter can be more complex to fix, and often leaves an private questioning how to repair a brake line.

While impacts from road droppings exercise occasionally lead to damaged brake lines, these lines are typically well protected, as nigh are tucked away along a vehicle's frame rail. The far greater foe to a restriction line'southward structural integrity is corrosion.

This is especially true in northern areas that experience substantial winter weather and notable snowfall. This prevalence of wintry precipitation makes salt and calcium chloride applications quite mutual as a de-icing measure out.

Both of these substances are highly corrosive and impairment metal surfaces relatively quickly. Read this commodity for more than nigh the effects of winter-related brake failure.

Afterwards years of being exposed to corrosive substances, the metallic construction of a vehicle'south restriction lines begins to rust, flake, and deteriorate. This eventually compromises a line's ability to withstand the hydraulic forcefulness imparted by the braking application itself.

This results in a leak that can cause less than acceptable stopping potential and creates a safe hazard. When this occurs, immediate repair becomes a necessity. To read more about causes of brake line failure, click on this link.

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Did You Know: Fun facts about brake lines.

What Are Your Options For Repairing A Brake Line?

When a leaking restriction line becomes evident, there are merely two options for remedying the situation, repairing the line by replacing the damaged section, or replacing the line in its entirety.

The decision of which path to proceed with comes down to the extent to which the remaining portion of the line is corroded.

To supervene upon just the department of line that is leaking, the remaining portion of line must exist in good shape and relatively free of rust.

You do not want to attempt a sectional repair if the surrounding portions of line are establish to be in poor shape as well. If the remaining line is compromised, the entire restriction line should be replaced.

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Supplies Needed To Repair A Brake Line

Pick these DIY supplies up at any machine parts store:

Jack stands
Flathead screw driver
Line wrench
New restriction line
Restriction fluid
Permanent marker
Tubing cutter
Tape measure out
Flaring tool

How To Supervene upon A Brake Line (half-dozen-Step Guide)

Disconnect Hold-Down Hardware
Disconnect Nuts At Line Ends
Remove Line From Vehicle
Place and Fit New Brake Line
Bleed Brakes
Cheque For Leaks

Stride 1 - Disconnect Agree-Down Hardware

It is standard for brake lines to be secured to a vehicle'south frame rail with plastic bracketing. You lot must free the brake lines from this bracketing earlier removal.

This tin be hands achieved with the assistance of a flathead screwdriver that is used to pop the sectional portions of the agree-downs apart.

Step ii - Disconnect Basics At Line Ends

You lot will now loosen and disconnect the basics or fittings at each end of the line. This should be washed with the apply of a line wrench to prevent the rounding out of these fittings.

Pace 3 - Remove Line From Vehicle

With each end of the line loose, it will be time to remove it from the vehicle. This tin can, at times be tedious, especially if the line in question is of lengthy proportions, such every bit one that runs from the engine bay to the rear brakes.

With patience and finesse, slide the line out of place.

Step 4 - Place and Fit New Brake Line

With the new line in hand, yous will now begin the installation process in the opposite order of how the old line was initially removed.

Ensure that the line is routed correctly, the line'due south fittings are tightened to each end'due south corresponding fitting, and lines are repositioned in all hold-down brackets.

Footstep five - Drain Brakes

Y'all will now acme off the vehicle's master cylinder with brake fluid and drain the brakes to ensure that the system is void of whatsoever air.

After this process has been completed at every brake bleeder, ensure that your brake fluid level is over again topped off.

Step 6 - Cheque for Leaks

In one case you take bled your vehicle's brakes, visually audit your repair for whatever sign of leaks. If any such leaks are found, do not drive the vehicle.

Instead, seek out the cause of this leak.

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How To Complete Sectional Replacement Of A Brake Line in vii Steps

If you have located the source of your vehicle's brake fluid leak, and the line to each side of this damaged section appears to be in respectable shape, you lot tin merely remove and replace the section in question.

The following steps outline this procedure.

Pace i - Measure And Mark

Begin past determining where the problem section of line begins and ends. You volition demand to ensure that all rusted and corroded lines are removed to produce a quality flare and a proper seal.

This is best accomplished by measuring six inches past the last area of visible harm to each side. These points can and then exist marked with a permanent marker.

Step 2 - Make Precision Cuts

You lot can now begin cutting out your damaged section of old brake line with the use of a tubing cutter.

This cutter will be circled effectually the circumference of each marking made in step ane, in an even and concise manner, to make certain that each end is squared off.

Step 3 - Locate Replacement Line And Fittings

Accept measurements of the diameter of the brake line that you have just cut. This volition ensure that you purchase the proper line to complete the repair.

Locate and purchase a section of line in the appropriate length and bore, also as both male person and female person fittings for each end of the line that is of the correct size.

Step four - Deburr and Flare Line

Yous will now ensure that each terminate of both the replacement, also as stock, line segments are gratuitous of any burrs that could hamper the flaring procedure.

Next, with the use of a flaring tool, you will use the provided jig and dies to produce a double flare on each finish of both the new and old sections of line.

Be sure to place the respective male and female fittings on your line earlier flaring, as yous will not be able to do so once flaring is complete.

Step v - Connect Segments

With the use of a ready of line wrenches, tighten the corresponding fittings on each stop of the line until they are snug.

This can take some gentle forcefulness, as you volition exist seating your new double flare connections in with one some other to form a seal.

Step 6 - Bleed Brakes

You will now acme off the vehicle's master cylinder with brake fluid and drain the brakes to ensure that the system is void of whatever air.

Step 7 - Cheque For Leaks

Once you have bled your vehicle'southward brakes, visually inspect your repair for any sign of leaks. If any such leaks are found, do non drive the vehicle. Instead, seek out the crusade of this leak.

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Getting Back On The Route

While experiencing a full or partial brake failure can be nervus-racking, repairing a damaged brake line does not have to be.

Assess the situation, choose whether to repair or replace the line in question, and carry through methodically with your intended fix.

If done correctly, you will have your vehicle's brakes back in operational shape in no time, and be back on the route however again.