Possible PSA: Brake trouble spot

[pentode]

Was going to post this in "what I did to my ranger today" but I'm curious if others have seen this and whether it's worth sort of "general advisory" status.

Went to back out of the driveway a couple days ago and pedal went to the floor. Found the leak, right at the leading edge of the brake line where it comes out of the wheel cylinder and turns towards the back, right on the corner.

Fixed that the next day, stood on the brakes and all was well. Went to back out again for a test drive and pedal went to the floor again. Checked and found other side blew out in exactly the same spot. I had seen the coating had started coming off over three but figured I'd run it until it was convenient to do that side. Funny it lasted exactly one pump.

I'm thinking that spot on the line must get sandblasted with road debris because I couldn't find any other questionable bits... Can't just be a coincidence. For you guys in the rust belt, have you noticed this, and if not, maybe look at that spot when you're under there. I figured I was lucky it blew out in the driveway and not in traffic - but twice in 2 days, I feel like the universe was giving me a break.

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

I'll assume your 2005. Rear brake cylinder? I don't like that type of paint/plastic/whatever coating, once it's compromised dirt and moisture will collect and blam-O... rust! I don't have anything that new to compare, sorry.

 

[19Walt93]

NH used to have state inspection that would have caught rusty brake lines like that but the geniuses in Concord ended them because statistics say inspections don't make cars safer. After working in shops from 1972 until 2017, those statistics are b/s.
If you got 21 years out of steel brake lines your area must go easier on the road salt than we do.

 

[MISWFL]

I'm a libertarian, but I would support a law that requires stainless hard brake lines to be used.

 

[19Walt93]

I'm a libertarian, but I would support a law that requires stainless hard brake lines to be used.

We used to see all kinds of problems from road salt but Ford never corrected them because 80% of the country doesn't salt the roads and the extra expense would be wasted and hurt sales. I replaced all the brake lines on my Mustang in 1990 and since it's stored in the winter they look like dusty new lines today.

 

[bobbywalter]

stainless brake lines are potentially more dangerous...they will vibe fatigue and work harden and split too.

the ni-chrome is a great in between.

so i would never support a law requiring stainless brake lines.

maybe a law that says if your dumb enough to not regularly inspect your brake system you are not allowed to own or operate a vehicle.....but i digress. no laws.

brand new out of the box parts fail regularly...how the fawk will any law fix that?

 

[SenorNoob]

I truly believe removing warning labels would solve the problem with minimal collateral damage.

 

[pentode]

These were plastic coated steel lines. The reason I'm curious is that the failure point is right at the leading edge of a corner... that might possibly be the vulnerable spot from junk flying up off the rear wheels. Probably not worthy of a recall on a 20 Year old truck but I figure it might be worth a double check, unless my truck is an outlier.

 

[bobbywalter]

its normal to fail there.

 

[JoshT]

If you got 21 years out of steel brake lines your area must go easier on the road salt than we do.

Me eying the keys to the rusty ass '68 F-100 that's still got mostly original steel brake lines:

Haven't driven it in a year, but 100% chance they won't be replaced before I drive it again.

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

Me eying the keys to the rusty ass '68 F-100 that's still got mostly original steel brake lines:

Haven't driven it in a year, but 100% chance they won't be replaced before I drive it again.

Its called "quality assurance" testing....