Are You Inspecting Your Brake Lines?
Sunday August 17, 2008
Most people would never think of regularly inspecting their hard brake lines. After all, they're made of thick, corrosion-resistant metal ... aren't they? Shops in areas of the country that get significant snowfall every year have been reporting a large increase in the number of brake lines that have failed due to corrosion. A recent article in Maine's Morning Sentinel reported mechanics in the area have seen hard brake line replacement due to corrosion triple in recent years. One even said that they have had to replace the same line twice within a 5-year period. There has been much debate over the cause of this increase. Some are blaming changing chemicals used to treat icy winter roads in these areas. Others blame the use of lower quality materials in certain manufacturers' brake lines. Whatever the cause, the result of a corroded and weakened brake line is the same when you're on the brake pedal end of a major failure. That's why it's more important than ever to inspect your brakes and pay special attention to the hard brake lines if you live in a snowy region. Catching a compromised brake line before it fails can make a big difference in your life.
Comments
I always inspect brake lines at my shop. I also keep them in stock. Southeast Alaska has much humidity, consequently there is much rust. Brake lines need replaced frequently here.
-Dwayne
Carriage Works
I’m wondering if it might have something to do with the brake line routing. I’ve noticed on my own vehicles the lines that have failed were all corroded in areas that lie in the bottom of the frame rail,or on a crossmember where dirt and debris tends to cover it. Other parts of the lines,where they’re attached to the side or underside of the top of the frame suffer little corrosion.
Just one possibility.
About 2 years ago the dealer (Dodge) said the main lines on my wife’s van were looking very rusted and recomended them being replaced; which I did, though I had never repaced and thought I was being hosed Van was 8 years old with about 85k. Two years later the line to actual rear brake which had not been replaced went out.
I have a 92 Subaru with 237k which has never ha a brake line relaced, nor did my earlier Subaru 9 year old with 145k, or my Mecury Tracer which was 10 yesrs old with 95k.
Is this a Dodge problem (I have had other unusual problems with it as well i.e. engine computers, instrument pannel controllors, etc; maybe its a lemon-or I have been spoiled by my other veichles which are Asian-
It is a humane thing to check for corroded brake lines.
Unfortunately, many people can’t get under their car easily enough to check the lines.
Why put the brake lines on the frame, or pinned to the chassis?
Why not place the brake line under the carpets in a sheath like the electrical wires.
Then, they could be easily inspected on sub zero days.
It is not the brake lines, but perhaps chemicals added to brake fluid that could dissolve the special seals in the master cylinder or calipers, that is more worrisome.
Or, what if a small fire melted the plastic master cylinder reservior?
Perhaps 1 piece cast iron master cylinders are best?
Brakes are touchy, and it is best to drive at the speed limit, cause you never know.
All dinosaur remains/skeletons have revealed that dinosaurs had no brakes.
I feel this is the cause of their probable demise.
Oops, gotta go now, I’m acting silly.
Why does BMW feel they will be using wedge brakes on their new cars?
Only Red Green knows.
Time to visit multiple cottages and create weird cars no one likes.
My take will just basically reinforce what Matthew has penned, because..well..he’s right.
In the good ole’ days (youngsters will love this one,)replacement of hard brake lines seldom occurred unless:
1. The vehicle had been in an accident, sustaining damage to the brake lines, or
2. You lived in an area known for harsh winters, heavy rainfall, or other weather extremes.
Here’s what changed. Typically as a mobile society, we drive more miles than we did 10 or 15 years ago, and the prices of both gas and cars, auto loan interest rates is compelling us to keep our beloved modes of transportation for extended periods of time, hence we see components in need of repair/replacement that we didn’t see before.
But wait, as there’s more. In area’s of the US where snow is a factor, different forms of ice/snow melt are applied to highway surfaces during the winter months. Be it salt, rock-salt, calcium chloride, or magnesium chloride, they all contain corrosive elements and when added to asphalt surfaces (which also contains petroleum-based corrosives,) it’s “game-on” for any component residing on the underside of a vehicle.
Manufacturers of brake lines are aware of the changing environment their products must live in, and use a combination of metal alloys and anti-corrosive coatings but therein lies a compromise between longevity and cost.
Looking at the inside of a brake line, we see even more proof of corrosion but since it’s one of those “out of site, out of mind” systems on our automobiles ….well, we seldom see it. Believe it or not, contaminants do find their way into the brakes system and once done, they promote corrosion from within.
Example: When that brake master cylinder cover gasket made of petroleum-based rubber-like material starts to break down, where do you think it’s remains go ?? Additionally, each time that same brake master cylinder cover is removed to check the brake fluid level, natural contaminants can enter the brake system. Like oh, I don’t know..Ozone perhaps ??
Preventive medicine : Inspect brake lines frequently, especially after harsh winters. Perhaps unthinkable to some, either flush or have the the brake system flushed and replace all of the brake fluid. Every 60,000 would be about right.
Hope that helps..Take care..Phil
hello….sir….
i m working in a hyundai workshop…
recently i encountered a serious and new prooblem.
in an accent(crd-i) model the was running effetively on running conditions…but on idling it not giving a cooling efect…only blower was running.
what should i do..there’s no break through for…us… please inform me by mail.. i m not much regular on net..
i will be thanful to you..
reply as soon as possible..