brake line to abs broke

[r0n]

I lost my brakes and checked it out. I found a small leak were the brake line attaches to the abs unit on the right side. I have a 2.25 upip and the bov is facing downwards near the abs unit. The bov is was hitting against the line and finally bent it enough to make it leak. I unscrewed the line for the abs unit and as I was sliding the part that screw into the abs, the line broke. No force it just broke easily.

This line goes all the way to the MC. Is there any fix beside replacing the line? It looks like a lot of work just to replace that line.

 

[r0n]

I got lucky. Did a few test runs with hard braking and no leaks. Here's the steps I did.... Sorry don't know correct mechanical terminology but you'll know what I mean.

1) You'll need the following tools.... Sorry don't know the names of the tool. The first tool cuts the pipes. The second tool make a flange at the end of the pipe.

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2) Here's the piece that broke off. The other end also has a little lip because I was doing a test flange. One side smaller then the other because the line was to short for the tool.

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3) I'm trying to make the brake line straight so I can slide the threaded fitting further back so I will have room to place the tool that makes the flange. I already cut part of the brake line so it would be flush.

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4) Here's how it looks with the flange. I had filed it down a little because it was slightly larger then the threaded fitting. Try to make it flush with the fitting. Don't forget to put something in the brake line so no metal gets in. I used a paper towel and twisted it in 1.5 inches. When you pull it out the paper it will remove the metal dust.

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5) Here's how it looks installed. The line looks weird but it works.

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This time I made sure the bov wasn't hitting the brake line.

I'm not mechanically inclined as you can tell by the terminology I'm used. If you think hard enough you'll come up with a solution.

 

[Defiant]

Fixed well enough, but some points off for breaking it to start with.

You have a tubing cutter, and a flaring tool. I hope you did a double-flare as required on brake systems.

They make a tubing cutter about a quarter that size.

 

[r0n]

"Fixed well enough, but some points off for breaking it to start with."
Sorry I don't understand, please explain. Are you talking about how it broke it off in the first place?

"You have a tubing cutter, and a flaring tool. I hope you did a double-flare as required on brake systems."
Heh heh those are the tool names I was look for... tubing cutter and flaring tool. I justed flange - , I couldn't think the right tool name. I just happen to have these tools when I was doing my fuel lines my 71 240z. I didn't do a double flare... for one I didn't know, second it flared to much so I had to file it down a little which made the end thicker. Hopefully that was good enough.

"They make a tubing cutter about a quarter that size"
That smaller tubing cutter would have made it easier.

 

[r0n]

Originally posted by Defiant
Fixed well enough, but some points off for breaking it to start with.

You have a tubing cutter, and a flaring tool. I hope you did a double-flare as required on brake systems.

They make a tubing cutter about a quarter that size.

I did some research and you are correct. I will need a double flaring tool to flare the brake line ends correctly.

Check out the new instructions on this repair
http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&postid=779499#post779499

 

[GTM]

Originally posted by r0n
I did some research and you are correct. I will need a double flaring tool to flare the brake line ends correctly.

You might have saved yourself some time by using the short line from a front brake caliper. and a union which is found on many non IRS systems.

Cheers,
GTM

 

[r0n]

Thanks for the reply.

True but It depends on where the brake line is broken. The brake line I repaired connects to abs unit and ends at the bmc.

If it was in another area where the line is short. You can use the parts you mention but easier to go to the parts store instead of the wrecking yard. It's only $2.99 for the brake line and $1.50 for the full union connector at the parts store.

The fix I did to my car didn't require a double flare tool. Just get a brake line, cut it. Put your original tube nut on the new brake line which is already flared. Bend it and use the full union connector to connect the old line with the new.

I would use the double flare tool if I was redoing the original brake line using the original tube nut.

 

[GTM]

Originally posted by r0n
...

The fix I did to my car didn't require a double flare tool.

This is my OPINION AND NOT necessarily those of DMStuners.

Excuse me but a red flag has just gone off inside me. I don't know your qualifications nor where you got your information. This is against everything I know and I feel compelled to openly consider this to be very irresponsible on your part to publicly post / publish such a statement.

If though your statement others think they can throw away decades of engineering research which has dictated BRAKE fittings MUST be double flared. If I were your insurance carrier I'd cancel you in a heartbeat for endangering lives and property for what other covenants have you violated. You saved yourself a $10 tool and 5 minutes of work to what end. There are some things you can do with cars in general which won't endanger people's lives but when you put your signature to a post suggesting a single flare on brake hydraulics will suffice is beyond my comprehension.

I hope you can go back and edit that post and remove that statement so it doesn't show up when someone does a search and all they read is YOU deciding a double flare wasn't required. Usually spreading URBAN myths don't bring harm or violate safety laws set up by State and Federal agencies so unless you can cite some credentialed source to substantiate you decision to utilize a single flare PLEASE edit your post and remove or rewrite reflecting what should have been included.

I don't usually write replies which reflect a tenor of harshness and criticism but I cannot stress enough the importance of knowing the possible repercussions when liberties are taken even on your own car. There is a reason why you can't use braided Teflon lines and there is a reason for double flares. If you die tomorrow and your car gets sold to some unsuspecting person who then plows into a crosswalk filled with kids because you took a short cut is insanity.

GTM