Date: Wed, 18 Aug 2004 12:30:08 -0700
Reply-To: dave <dmenche914@HOTMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: dave <dmenche914@HOTMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: Brake line corrosion - repair?
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
Uhm, if the rust is pitted, you probably want to replace the line, or at
least take it to a brake specialist if that is not your expertise, can't
really tell without seeing it myself. Of course if it is just some small
surface rust from the rubbed off paint, then instead of grease, clean it up,
sand or steel wool it to remove rust and old paint, and then nuetralize any
remaining rust, and repaint it with a good paint.
grease will prevent rust on metal by keeping moisture from getting to the
metal. However if rust is already started, moisture is already present in
the rust, and putting grease on top will only seal in the water (and maybe
salt) and the rust will continue.
Some times it is more economical to splice a line if it is a long one that
would require too much dissassembly to replace. But you will need the flare
tools, Some times, if you replace the entire line, you can buy replacements
with both ends already installed, so you will not need any speacail flare
tool, check both aftermarket, and dealer for replacement line.
Again, if rust is minor, it needs to be cleaned off, neutralized, and
painted. If rust is severe, and the line has thinned, then replacement is
the only safe thing to do.
Good catch in finding this problem, many owners never inspect their cars.
Also you do fluch your brake fluid with at least a quart (or until it comes
out clean, which ever is most) of fresh brake fluid every two years or so???
This is one of the most important brake maintance things you can do. If it
has not been done in say five years, you will probably notice an improvemnet
in brake feel, and it will preserve your brake system from internal
corrosion. better performance, and longer life, well worth the effort.
dave
----- Original Message -----
From: "Eric Zeno" <vw4x4@FYI.NET>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Sunday, August 15, 2004 8:54 PM
Subject: Re: Brake line corrosion - repair?
> Brake lines can be easily make, or repaired as long as you have the
> proper flare tool and fittings, and of coarse use them properly.
> Not that hard. Personally unless the line is leaking I would not
> touch it. I've seen many of these rust areas outlast other areas that can
> not be seen.
>
> Eric 86-VW4x4
> vw4x4@fyi.net 86-SS Syncro
> Pittsburgh, PA USA 1936-Chrysler
> 92-Jetta GWC
> www.fyi.net/~vw4x4/vw4x4.htm
>
> On Sun, 15 Aug 2004, Barry Muller wrote:
>
> > While replacing the radiator on my '91 Carat, I
> > noticed one of the brake lines is severly corroded at
> > a plastic clamp. I assume the movement scratched the
> > painted line allowing misture to get in a do its dirty
> > work. I greased the spot heavily, an interim step to
> > slow down the process, but obviously not a soln for
> > such a vitl system.
> >
> > To my question: I'd rather not take out the whole
> > line. Has anyone ever spliced a section of good line
> > in? If so, how bad was that job and what were the
> > results? The spot witht he corrossion is very
> > accessable - just above the spare.
> >
> > TIA,
> >
> > bem
> >
>
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