How to Replace a Section of Brake Line
Brake lines are located along a vehicle's frame where it is extremely difficult to damage them in an accident. That being said, the most likely cause of damage to a brake line is corrosion due to salt, either from salt water or the salt used on roads to melt ice. There are two alternatives available to replace a section of brake line--replacing the entire section complete with end fittings or using compression fittings to replace smaller sections of a particular line.
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Things You'll Need
- Floor jack
- Jack stands
- Line wrenches
- Rust penetrant
- Brake fluid
- 2 compression fittings
- Line cutter
Instructions
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Replacing the Entire Section
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1
Raise the vehicle with the floor jack and place jack stands under the frame of the vehicle for safety. Lower the vehicle so it rests on the stands. Locate the leak. If a large section of brake line is corroded replacing the entire section of brake line is recommended.
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2
Spray some rust penetrant on the brake fittings and let it soak in for a few seconds. Remove the brake fittings using the line wrenches.
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3
Install the new brake line and tighten the fittings.
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4
Remove the cap from the master cylinder and fill the reservoir with brake fluid to the proper level.
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5
Open each of the bleeder screws on the brake calipers and the brake drum wheel cylinders one at a time. Let them open until they begin to drain brake fluid from the bleeder. Close the bleeder and move to the next one until all four have been done. Refill the master cylinder again to the proper level.
Replacing a Small Section
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6
Raise the vehicle with the floor jack and place jack stands under the frame of the vehicle for safety. Lower the vehicle so it rests on the stands. Inspect the entire brake system to see if the leak is an isolated problem or if all the lines are corroded. If the leak is isolated to one section, compression fittings and a short piece of line would be the best bet.
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7
Cut the section of brake line to be replaced using the line cutter. Measure the line that you just removed and cut a piece of brake line one inch shorter.
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8
Disassemble the compression fittings. Place one of the caps, threads facing out on one side of the cut brake line. Place a ferrule (small ring-looking device) on the line by the threaded end of the cap. Push the center section of the compression fitting on the line with the ferrule and cap. Hold pressure on the center section by pushing it on the line while the other hand threads the cap on the center section. Place a cap followed by a ferrule on the new line end.
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9
Push the new line into the center section already in place on the old line. Hold pressure on the new line toward the center section while the other hand threads the cap on the new line onto the center section.
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10
Tighten the compression fitting by using a wrench to hold the center section and tighten both caps with another wrench. Install the opposite end of the new section of brake line in the same manner as this one was installed with the compression fitting.
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11
Fill the master cylinder reservoir with brake fluid and bleed the brakes as outlined in the previous section.
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