Brake Line repair on a budget - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Dutch · 12-12-2002, 12:08 PM

My rear brake hard line has a pinhole leak in it. Is it possible (read "safe") to cut out that spot and splice in a length of new line?

Can it be done with compression fittings or would it have to be flared/double-flared?

Thanks!

Church · 12-12-2002, 12:51 PM

Take that side off and go to Auto Zone to get a new line for that side. It will be about the same price as trying to repair just the leak portion of the line.

cableguy0 · 12-12-2002, 01:02 PM

steel lines are very cheap for just straight pieces with ends on em double flared. its probably cheaper to just buy the line than screw with compression fittings and the headaches. just get a new piece of line and bend it up

bobs409 · 12-12-2002, 04:09 PM

Never use compression fitting on brake lines. If you need to join 2 pieces together, buy a fitting so both lines screw into it. Much safer.

Brake line work is very cheap to do so you might want to replace all of them while your at it. Then you won't have any more surprises.

Huck · 12-12-2002, 05:10 PM

PLEASE, don't try and fix a brake line on a 30+yr old truck!!! Buy an inexpensive tube bender and then measure the bad line. Go to any auto parts store and get a replacement as close a match as possible. The steel brake lines eventually rust thru and usually are weak in more then one spot so fixing it will postpone a complete failure---and Murphy's law will come into play for that failure (top of hill, towing your bass boat, backing your boat down the ramp, pulling into the garage, tailgating me doing 70+, etc.)!!!! A cheepie tube bender and a new steel line might cost you $30.

Dutch · 12-12-2002, 05:24 PM

.....I knew that was the answer, but I hoped someone would give me permission for a shortcut....

I've got the tubing bender, I'll go get a line!

**1971Stepside** · 12-12-2002, 06:46 PM

Just FYI: Stainless tubes for the rear axle are $35, so I am guessing steel ones would be much cheaper. That is from inline tube and for both sides.

bobs409 · 12-13-2002, 10:03 AM

Steel lines are only a few dollars a piece so you could do a whole truck for under $20.

Be sure to give the lines a coat of paint after installing them to slow down the rust process. Also, make certain that no lines are rubbing on anything. I recently learned that one the hard way!

BTW, check those rubber hoses too. If in doubt, replace them too. (I love spending other peoples money)

12-12-2002, 12:08 PM	#1
Dutch Registered User Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Leipsic, OH Posts: 81	Brake Line repair on a budget My rear brake hard line has a pinhole leak in it. Is it possible (read "safe") to cut out that spot and splice in a length of new line? Can it be done with compression fittings or would it have to be flared/double-flared? Thanks! __________________ Dutch 1972 Super Cheyenne K20 1976 MGB 1950 Harley FL 1997 Arctic Cat ZR580 "Maybe if I had a couple less hobbies, I'd have time to enjoy one!"

12-12-2002, 01:02 PM	#3
cableguy0 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Delta,Pa Posts: 14,948	steel lines are very cheap for just straight pieces with ends on em double flared. its probably cheaper to just buy the line than screw with compression fittings and the headaches. just get a new piece of line and bend it up __________________ Owner of North Point Car Care in Dundalk Md. We specialize in custom exhaust on both modern and classic vehicles. We are a full service auto shop from classics to modern vehicles. Feel free to contact me with questions. I will give a 10% discount to any board member.

12-12-2002, 04:09 PM	#4
bobs409 1969 Custom 30 wrecker Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Pottsville, Pa Posts: 2,611	Never use compression fitting on brake lines. If you need to join 2 pieces together, buy a fitting so both lines screw into it. Much safer. Brake line work is very cheap to do so you might want to replace all of them while your at it. Then you won't have any more surprises. __________________ Bob 63 Impala 283/PG/3.36 (under restoration) 66 Impala 327/PG/3.36 66 Chevelle SS 409/M22/3.55 69 Chevelle 307/PG/3.08 (future restoration) 69 C10 short stepside 454/TH350/3.73 69 Custom 30 tow truck 350/4 spd/4.10 (resto done, CRUISIN TIME!) 71 Cheyenne 20 fleetside 350/4 spd/4.10 71 Chevelle 6/PG/3.08 72 Chevelle 454/M21/4.10

12-12-2002, 05:24 PM	#6
Dutch Registered User Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Leipsic, OH Posts: 81	OHHHHHHHH, awright..... .....I knew that was the answer, but I hoped someone would give me permission for a shortcut.... I've got the tubing bender, I'll go get a line! __________________ Dutch 1972 Super Cheyenne K20 1976 MGB 1950 Harley FL 1997 Arctic Cat ZR580 "Maybe if I had a couple less hobbies, I'd have time to enjoy one!"

12-12-2002, 06:46 PM	#7
1971Stepside Almost Satisfied Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Springfield, MO Posts: 2,932	Just FYI: Stainless tubes for the rear axle are $35, so I am guessing steel ones would be much cheaper. That is from inline tube and for both sides. __________________ 1971 C10 Stepside. LSx 6.0 with BTR Stage IV, Speed Engineering Headers, 4L80e transmission w/3200 Circle-D Stall. 3.73. Posi. Purchased this truck when I was 17. I started the rebuild (or take apart) in 1993. I have drug it around all over the country in pieces. Finally back on the road in 2021. "I can't complain, but sometimes I still do. Life's been good to me so far."

12-12-2002, 12:51 PM	#2
Church Carolina Classic Trucks Join Date: Jan 2000 Location: The South Posts: 792	Take that side off and go to Auto Zone to get a new line for that side. It will be about the same price as trying to repair just the leak portion of the line.

12-12-2002, 05:10 PM	#5
Huck Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Shelbyville, KY Posts: 3,261	PLEASE, don't try and fix a brake line on a 30+yr old truck!!! Buy an inexpensive tube bender and then measure the bad line. Go to any auto parts store and get a replacement as close a match as possible. The steel brake lines eventually rust thru and usually are weak in more then one spot so fixing it will postpone a complete failure---and Murphy's law will come into play for that failure (top of hill, towing your bass boat, backing your boat down the ramp, pulling into the garage, tailgating me doing 70+, etc.)!!!! A cheepie tube bender and a new steel line might cost you $30.

12-13-2002, 10:03 AM	#8
bobs409 1969 Custom 30 wrecker Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Pottsville, Pa Posts: 2,611	Steel lines are only a few dollars a piece so you could do a whole truck for under $20. Be sure to give the lines a coat of paint after installing them to slow down the rust process. Also, make certain that no lines are rubbing on anything. I recently learned that one the hard way! BTW, check those rubber hoses too. If in doubt, replace them too. (I love spending other peoples money) __________________ Bob 63 Impala 283/PG/3.36 (under restoration) 66 Impala 327/PG/3.36 66 Chevelle SS 409/M22/3.55 69 Chevelle 307/PG/3.08 (future restoration) 69 C10 short stepside 454/TH350/3.73 69 Custom 30 tow truck 350/4 spd/4.10 (resto done, CRUISIN TIME!) 71 Cheyenne 20 fleetside 350/4 spd/4.10 71 Chevelle 6/PG/3.08 72 Chevelle 454/M21/4.10



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