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Replacing brake lines that already have braided bends
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dave11
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Dec 29, 2016, 12:41 PM
Post #1 of 18
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Replacing brake lines that already have braided bends
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Have a 2002 Monte Carlo SS, 86K, original brake lines. They need to be replaced. But I noticed all 4 lines, as they leave the master/modulating valve, have flexible/braided steel bends in them. The lines are otherwise solid steel.
So to replace them entirely, I'd need to splice braided lines in at the new bends, I'm assuming, since there's no clearance to put loops/coils in each line, right? That sounds wrong somehow.
The original flex/braided bends are crimped onto the steel lines.
I wanted to replace all the lines with NiCopp, but have to get past this flexible-bend problem.
Is there something I'm over looking?
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
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Dec 29, 2016, 1:06 PM
Post #2 of 18
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Re: Replacing brake lines that already have braided bends
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You can't. They have to be replaced with OEM replacements. That braiding is there for flex and vibration.
If I remember right, the bends are too tight to make also.
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
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Dec 29, 2016, 1:45 PM
Post #3 of 18
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Re: Replacing brake lines that already have braided bends
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Yes on OEM or try hard to match up length and fitting at a parts store NOT in stock - just looked but next day for most.
Russell Performance brake line by brand showed like this......
~ $35 each,
T
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dave11
Novice
Dec 29, 2016, 1:54 PM
Post #4 of 18
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Re: Replacing brake lines that already have braided bends
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I hate to replace with OEM though, since it's just plain steel, and will likely be $$$. What about a preformed stainless set from classictube or inline? The pics they list for my vehicle don't show a flexible bend though. I called classictube, they will look into it and call me back.
But also, preformed looks like a nightmare to install, especially to the front passenger side.
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
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Dec 29, 2016, 1:57 PM
Post #5 of 18
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Re: Replacing brake lines that already have braided bends
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You might get surprised at the price. Sometimes OEM is less than aftermarket.
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dave11
Novice
Dec 29, 2016, 2:30 PM
Post #6 of 18
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Re: Replacing brake lines that already have braided bends
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Just called my local chevy dealer, huge place with big parts business. The guy told me they don't stock replacement preformed brake lines, their techs just make the lines by hand. I asked about the flex bends, he sort a halfway suggested I just leave them out, or find some other aftermarket source.
Also looked on gmpartsdirect.com, parts are not listed.
Called another chevy dealer, who found the part numbers, but said they'd need to be shipped, and one pipe has been discontinued and is no longer available anywhere. The cost for the other three wold be about $260.
Maybe going with the flex adapters shown above and transitioning to NiCopp is the way to go?
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
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Dec 29, 2016, 2:38 PM
Post #7 of 18
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Re: Replacing brake lines that already have braided bends
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Check OEM as Hammer Time just suggested. Sometimes very competitive for price. If that price I found (that's your cost not what a shop doing them would charge) is nothing for this if needed not much choice I can think of.
Never sure with the more common coil of plain line you see or make as needed why but both vibrations and could or should take some trauma from doing that so you don't lose brakes even in a collision.
Just asking but why are you replacing them other than it's probably a good idea to do so. If a problem no choice. In general I find front flex wheel hoses much more of a problem spot than these or ones in the rear?
Jeez, don't let a few bucks stop the show!
T
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Tom Greenleaf
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Dec 29, 2016, 2:42 PM
Post #8 of 18
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Re: Replacing brake lines that already have braided bends
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Sorry for two posts you may have already read last one. NAPA would find a place or the exact stuff or does for me. The picture came from Autozone also choses a farmed out maker.
Owning a crimping tool for flex line I can't speak of for this myself for brakes. It has to be right even if this comes down to an alternative way must be well thought out,
T
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dave11
Novice
Dec 29, 2016, 2:51 PM
Post #9 of 18
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Re: Replacing brake lines that already have braided bends
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The reason I'm replacing is a sore subject. The car has NEVER seen salt, ice, or snow, and underneath it, it is pristine. EXCEPT the brake lines, and then only where they make tight bends, are very corroded. One of them broke all of a sudden, so now it is up on stands in the garage. The fuel line and all the other lines underneath are pristine. Don't know what GM did wrong to make the brake lines corrode just at the bends, but they all did. So I figured I'd change them all now and be done with it. The car is from 2002 but only has 86K miles.
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
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Dec 29, 2016, 2:57 PM
Post #10 of 18
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Re: Replacing brake lines that already have braided bends
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The braided lines from the master usually go into a block and rarely rust out. Are you sure you need to change those particular ones?
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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dave11
Novice
Dec 29, 2016, 3:06 PM
Post #11 of 18
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Re: Replacing brake lines that already have braided bends
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The two lines between the MC and the modulating valve are okay. It's the four lines heading for the wheels that need to be replaced. As the lines dive down along the inner chassis behind the left front wheel, they pass through a clamp and a tight bend, are are all badly corroded there. Not sure which one is leaking, but they all need to be replaced.
I could put a double flare union on the good metal left after the four flex tubes, though I noticed some light corrosion right where the crimps of the flex line meet the solid steel, so I thought it'd be better to replace the flex altogether. I guess now though it's not as easy as I thought it would be.
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
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Dec 29, 2016, 3:10 PM
Post #12 of 18
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Re: Replacing brake lines that already have braided bends
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There shouldn't be any braiding down in that area. Those lines may have wire coils around the outside but that is not necessary. Certainly those lines can be made. I do it often. It is best to buy the line is on a roll so you can use one continuous line. All joints have to be double flared. No compression unions at all.
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dave11
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Dec 29, 2016, 3:58 PM
Post #13 of 18
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Re: Replacing brake lines that already have braided bends
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The only braided lines are at the take-offs from the modulating valve. I'll put double flare unions on those lines after the braided lines, and run NiCopp from there.
Thanks guys.
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
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Dec 29, 2016, 11:34 PM
Post #14 of 18
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Re: Replacing brake lines that already have braided bends
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Sorry this is giving you such a hard time to find right stuff? Question: What is NiCopp? Copper is NOT used in fuel or brake line on outside of line on purpose - it cracks under vibration (note Liberty Bell) is copper.
Rock and hard place. GM won lawsuit for rusted lines no better than cracking so at a loss for common sense about that
Copper used for water for like to a refrigerator ice maker not cars,
T
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
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Dec 30, 2016, 5:09 PM
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Re: Replacing brake lines that already have braided bends
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NiCopp is a premium brake line made of copper and nickel. It is as strong as steel and rust proof.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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Discretesignals
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Dec 30, 2016, 5:16 PM
Post #16 of 18
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Re: Replacing brake lines that already have braided bends
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You can bend it easily by hand, but you have to be careful because it kinks easily also.
Since we volunteer our time and knowledge, we ask for you to please follow up when a problem is resolved.
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nickwarner
Veteran
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Jan 4, 2017, 7:56 AM
Post #17 of 18
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Re: Replacing brake lines that already have braided bends
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Its about double the price of the regular green coat line but it is pretty much immortal to salt. I always try to upsell it to customers whose vehicles have more than a few years of life left in them. I put the green coat lines in my Bronco 3 years ago and they are already getting rust scale on them so worth it to upgrade for people who live near salt. I do love how much easier it is to form up by hand, but as DS mentioned you do need to take care not to kink it. I usually hold a deep well socket in my hand and roll it over that to help keep it from kinking.
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
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Jan 4, 2017, 8:26 AM
Post #18 of 18
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Re: Replacing brake lines that already have braided bends
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You should buy a pair of these. Believe me, they are worth their weight in gold.
You can reach into tight places and make a perfect tight 90degree bend with ease.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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