Help, Brake Line Leak Driver's Side

[EvolutionAte]

Well I am not sure how this happened. I put the car up on ramps this morning to do an oil change. As soon as I have the car up on the Rhino ramps I notice a pool of fluid right below the drivers side door. After taking a look the leak is coming from the brake lines. Within 20 min all of the brake fluid has leaked out of the system. Upon inspection there appear to be three lines, the Ebrake, the rear brake line and another???? The third line looks like it is rusted all the way through.

It seems like everytime I try a simple task it turns into a costly one. Does anyone have any idea how I did this and what exactly the problem might be? Am I going to need to replace the brake lines? It looked like there was a slower leak on the passenger side right next to the wheel as well.

Last week I had the rack and pinion replaced could this have anything to do with this problem. I have been driving the car without issue for a week and this morning after putting it up on ramps this happens.

 

[Izzmo]

Where is it broke at? At the brake caliper or someone else in the lines?

Other than that, it sounds like you just need to replace the lines where the brake points are.

 

[EvolutionAte]

Where is it broke at? At the brake caliper or someone else in the lines?

Other than that, it sounds like you just need to replace the lines where the brake points are.

I can't see a distinct break but right under the drivers door is where the brake fluid is dripping from. Is it common for brake lines to break like this? Are there two brake lines and one ebrake line on the drivers side? Thanks for the help.

 

[luigisho]

It is very common for the brake line on this model to rot out. I would get all the lines replaced. I tried to get just the one leaking fixed and then another one went. Could have saved money getting everything done at the same time.

 

[SHOZ123]

Here is your problem.

 

[EvolutionAte]

Here is your problem.

Yep, that looks exactly like what I saw under my car. How time consuming/skilled is the replacement of the lines? I just spent a lot of money getting the suspension and rack and pinion replaced and would like to try to do this myself if its not too hard but I don't have a lift available just jack stands and a floor jack. Plus I would have to pay for towing because the brakes are completely out with no fluid right now. Thanks everyone for the help.

 

[SHOZ123]

The two lines run from a pressure reducing block on the drivers side frame rail in the engine compartment. Then go back around the gas tank and go to the proportioning valve. There is a line from the pro. valve to the passenger side rear that is above the gas tank. It needs replaced too.



So consider dropping the fuel tank. I have two cars like this now...

 

[EvolutionAte]

The two lines run from a pressure reducing block on the drivers side frame rail in the engine compartment. Then go back around the gas tank and go to the proportioning valve. There is a line from the pro. valve to the passenger side rear that is above the gas tank. It needs replaced too.



So consider dropping the fuel tank. I have two cars like this now...

Man, I don't think that I have the experience or know how to attempt dropping the fuel tank. Any idea how much a shop would charge for the job if I bought the brake lines? Thanks for the help.

 

[ruWelded]

Rust Belt

Got to love living in the rust belt. So far four of mine look just like the pictures that Paul posted. They can be a pain to fix, I pulled out as much old line as I could and then copied the bends to the new lines. You can splice into the old lines if there is a chunk that is still good, just use flare fittings. It is best to replace the whole thing if you can. Also you can use the old fittings that go into the valve block (near LR tire). Be careful threading back into this block as it is pretty soft aluminum. I cross threaded one of mine, it was hard to find the proper tap to repair the threads.

In my case these cars would not be worth owning, if I did not have the ability to repair them. It is cool to have about $150,000.00 of original value sitting in my driveway. I have maybe $6K in them, and hope to keep them running several years longer.

 

[Izzmo]

"$150,000.00" ... what?

 

[ruWelded]

$150 K When New

I have five SHOs that cost about $30K when new = about $150K. Just stupid thoughts of mine.

 

[EvolutionAte]

Ok, I found a couple of other posts on the brake line replacement. In one thread the poster purchased the Ford replacement lines and stated that it only took 30 min to replace them all. Can anyone confirm this? If I can find the replacement lines which are not that expensive, this sounds like a pretty doable DIY project.

 

[Izzmo]

I think the only problem you would run into is the front brake lines. Those seem like they would be a PITA. The rear.. piece of cake though.

 

[SHOZ123]

Front passenger side is the worst to remove. But the rears will go first. Driver's side from the POPO block to the caliper would be good as Ford fully coated these in plastic. Most of those in front from the ABS to the driver's side and the rear pressure lowering block should be good too.

Not saying that is always the case though.

 

[EvolutionAte]

Front passenger side is the worst to remove. But the rears will go first. Driver's side from the POPO block to the caliper would be good as Ford fully coated these in plastic. Most of those in front from the ABS to the driver's side and the rear pressure lowering block should be good too.

Not saying that is always the case though.

Yes, it looks like just the bare steel lines running along the side skirts are rusted out, everything else looked ok that was coated in plastic. Perhaps to save a little money I can just replace the ones running along the side skirts. Looks like they would just unscrew and come right out.

 

[SHOZ123]

The one behind the gas tank needs changed too. If you are getting rid of the car then fine don't bother with it. But if you plan on keeping the car be sure to change it too.

 

[EvolutionAte]

I just got the car a couple of months ago and just dropped about $2000 in it to replace the rear suspension, rack and pinion, brake pads, windshield etc.. so I would like to keep it. Looks like new lines is going to run about $90 and have no idea about the labor costs, the more I read on the subject I am not sure this is a project I can handle on my own.

 

[NebraskaSHO]

Makes mental note to go look at brake lines tomorrow when working on the car

 

[EvolutionAte]

Well I talked to the dealership this morning and they said labor would run about $225 to replace all the lines. This seems more than reasonable for that kind of piece of mind. They priced the replacement lines at $147, part number I have is F8DZ-2C287-AA. Does anyone know a place to buy these cheaper? Thanks for the help.

 

[SHOZ123]

$135 shipped from fast Parts network. Is this both lines?