Date: Tue, 15 Sep 2009 10:05:00 -0400
Reply-To: Ken Wilford <kenwilfy@COMCAST.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Ken Wilford <kenwilfy@COMCAST.NET>
Subject: Re: Brakes completely died.
In-Reply-To: <1253022428.29882.1334926545@webmail.messagingengine.com>
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Yes, I agree with Allan 100%. Many folks are driving around with bad
metal brake lines and have no clue until the one day they go to step on
the brakes and they are no longer there. Not a good feeling to have. A
much better feeling is taking a few moments from your busy day, getting
a piece of card board, and lying under your van and looking around with
a flash light. Trace the metal brake lines from the wheels back to the
center of the van and then along the frame up to the front. You are
going to have to drop your spare tire in the front to look above it but
the effort is worth while. If you do find you need some new lines the
easiest/cheapest way to to buy them premade from NAPA or another flaps.
You will need to measure your old lines, then go to the store. You need
lines with a bubble flare on the end and if you are not sure of the size
take an old piece with you to check it against the new line. These
premade lines will already have the fittings on them and the ends made.
You will not be able to get the exact lengths of the original line,
DON'T PANIC! Just buy the next size longer and if you need to you can
bend it into a loop. If you need a longer piece you can get a union
from them and use two shorter lines to make a longer one. You don't
need to follow the path of the old line if you don't want to. Who is
ever going to see it or care? The main thing is that it works and that
you route it in a way that keeps it from being damaged. Tie wrap it in
place where there are no supports already and then bleed the system and
you should be good to go. A couple hours of work and less than $100 in
new metal line could save your life and the lives of others. It is
worth it. If you have never inspected your brake lines do so ASAP
especially if you live in rust prone areas or if you have already had
problems with power steering lines rusting out, etc.
Hope this helps,
Ken Wilford
John 3:16
www.vanagain.com
Allan Streib wrote:
> On Tue, 15 Sep 2009 08:47 -0400, "Mark" <mbrush@GMAIL.COM> wrote:
>
>
>> Yep - sounds like a rusted brake line. To find it, crawl under the
>> van to the spot where you think the leak is - bring a light - then
>> have a friend push on the brake pedal for you (i find that friends are
>> one of the most important tools in the kit :)).
>>
>> I repaired a rusted brake line with some patience - still need to road
>> test, though...
>>
>
> The proper repair is to replace the entire section of brake line that failed. And, if one was rusty enough to blow out, likely others are also... might want to have a good look at all the lines in the system.
>
> Allan
> --
> 1991 Vanagon GL
>
>
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