2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Brake line failed!

[mmclaughlin]

Well, long story short, my brake lines need to be replaced - all of them! So I called Glen over at EGR and he's going to be making me a complete set. Only problem is that it will take about 4 weeks.



There was only one line that actually failed, and I was able to get it off the truck. It seems that there are two different nuts and two different flares on that one line - any chance somewhere local (I'm in RI and work in Eastern CT) might have the line I need? What about someone making the line? It's the line that goes from the ABS pump to the rear wheels, well, up to the block on the frame right at the tire wheel. I have a 2001. 5 4wd, 4-wheel ABS and 4-wheel disk.



Thanks for the help.



- Mike

 

[WKruger]

Smart to replace em all. Look up a Dodge dealer, they should have the parts yer needing.

 

[Johnny5]

Just curious what the set is costing ya and what material they are making them out of. I know by the way mine look right now I will have to replace mine in the future the way

 

[mmclaughlin]

Well, in an effort to get the truck up and running again, I ran around and found the right parts and line to do a temporary repair. Turns out that the brake line that I had to replace had a metric fitting on one end with a bubble flare, and an SAE fitting on the other end with a double flare. What were they thinking??



So I bought a line with the fittings I needed, then cut one end of the line that I was going to use, put the other fitting on the line and then did the double flare using a flare tool I rented.



Things went together pretty well with no leaks, but within seconds of fixing that line, another line went. I kind of expected that to happen after inspecting the lines even before I started this job (that's why I ordered all new lines) but I guess I was a bit surprised that it happened so quick.



So, I have to wait for the parts to be made - $300 for all the hard lines on the truck. I decided to go with SS braided lines for the flex line for added security (even though these actually looked OK) that set me back another $200. All the new hard lines will be SS - they offered a soft metal kit for less, but what's the point? I want this the last time I have to worry about brake lines.



I'll let you know how it all goes together once I get the parts.



Oh, by the way, they had the flex hoses in stock, and they sent those right away and they were at my door when I got home for work. Only took two days to get those - standard shipping, too. Too bad I have to wait another four weeks for the other parts.



- Mike

 

[mmclaughlin]

About taking to a dealer to get the parts - well, I tried that a few times and just couldn't get through and I got sick of being put on hold and then hung up on and then the constant answering machines to pay probably way more then what I should be for the part.



All said and done, I spent $15 to get that one line fixed using the cheapest line they had. I had to do the flare myself, and had to bend it as well, so it's certainly not the prettiest repair, but it worked (for like 30 seconds ).

 

[Mishkaya]

So you are saying you ordered SS hard lines from EGR? If so I will need to do the same as my lines are getting quite corroded and I do not want to wait until they burst.

mishkaya

 

[mmclaughlin]

If you have rust on your lines right now, then yes, do it sooner then later because they will fail, and they fail as you're going down the road (it really sucks not having brakes when you need them).



Take a real close look at the lines right at the drivers side fender - this is where mine ended up failing. I had to get right up in there to see them, but once you know where to look, it's pretty obvious.



Glen at EGR has been great so far - he's been very willing to answer all my questions. I'll let you know how the whole package comes together.



It did sound like he does have some lines in stock, but not my particular setup (4WD, 4wheel ABS with 4wheel disk).

 

[Don Bellamy]

Replaced my brake lines, got them from Napa, the lines are called green armor, you do not need a bender, you take the old off and shape the new lines by hand and are easy to work with. They claim these lines will not rust do to the coating.

 

[mmclaughlin]

I thought about that, but with all the different fittings you need, and the chance that I could mess up one of the flares or bend it wrong wasn't worth it for me. I hated to spend that much money on the lines, but I think in the long run it will be worth it.

 

[Gonehawkn]

i just replaced ALL the lines on my '95 dually with lines from Classic Tube. took about 3 weeks( i dont drive the truck everyday so not a big deal for me) i got the new ones in stainless front to back for $240. 00 shipped to my front door. they fit great and look good too. while i am in there i am replacing all the fuel lines as they looked about as good as the brake lines. gonna throw a draw straw in the tank and plumb the rest of the truck with Parker fuel lines.

 

[Denis]

Copper-Nickle lines

I had a line go bad; the one that runs behind the fuel tank. Replaced it with copper-nickle line. Easy to work with and flare; strong as steel line. Costs more than steel line but will never corode.

 

[JacobsD]

I'm sorry but I just can't justify spending $250+ on brake lines. You can buy a lot of regular steel lines and black rust killing spray paint for that.



No offense to anyone, just my opinion.

 

[Denis]

Cost of Cu-Ni lines

True they do cost more. But when the line behind my fuel tank failed, my brakes failed and I came close to demolishing my truck. Besides that I had to drop my tank, which is no small job, to replace the line. You can't inspect this line without removing the tank so I figured I'd use the most corrosion resistant line I could find.

 

[abranz]

Yet another reason I take 30 minutes in the fall to spray the entire underside of my 96 with fluid film. I have zero rust and it drives/plows on heavily salted roads. The product really works fantastic for those of us who are forced to drive on salted winter roads.

Tony

 

[Denis]

Fluid Film

What is "Fluid Film"?

 

[abranz]

Fluid film is a natural wax-lanolin product from sheep hair. I buy a gallon of it and spray the underside of my vehicles which will be exposed to salt during winter. I spray it out of a cheep auto paint gun. It takes about 20 minutes to do, there are no solvents to worry about and it does a great job keeping corrosion down. On yahoo type in fluid film. The stuff really works well and takes less time than an oil change. Funny thing is I'm doing a brake job on my sons dakota which has rust and I could not even change the wheel cylinders due to the lines being rusted to the collers so I've had to replace the lines to. That truck is new to us. I've never had any rust issues with my 96 which I attribute to applying fluid film.

Tony

 

[KBrennan]

I have the same issue, rust on the lines. Since I am moving to new Mexico I can't justify the SS lines. I have seen cars in NM that are 40 years old and still running the original lines and the look like new (almost). i will be so glad to get away from Wisconsin salted roads.

 

[KHelfrich]

summit sells the 304 stainless hardline is 20 ft coils and they also have the stainless steel nuts for the fittings thats what i replumbed my truck with even did the fuel lines i think they have 3/16 1/4 5/16 and 3/8 line size the 3/16 was about $25 for a 20 foot roll. the only problem is the stainless lines can lnoy be flaired with a hydrolic flare tool and that was not cheap i think about $400 for the mastercool full kit with dies to do metric buble double and sindle flair gm fuel line and push connect for 3/16 line up to 3/8 line.