Lost brakes tonite

[GIT-R-DONE]

Noticed today at a redlight (facing downhill) Had to pump the brakes to stop again from a complete stop, a couple of times. Pedal kept going further and further down to the floor. Coming home then from work tonite, pedal was very close to the floor and very little brake at all. Fortunately I live on a back road and could control speed with the trans. Got it in the garage and after filling up the resevoir, pumped (tried) but couldnt get the pedal up to build pressure.



After searching the lines, I found a connection up front where the steel line goes into the rubber line and it was leaking there. It was tight and was afraid of breaking it by too much tightening, but I think I got it. My fault for not getting it tight enough the first time when I replaced the lines.



Now I have to wait for some help to bleed the lines tomorrow.



For as many things as I have replaced on the truck over the past year, maybe it would be a good idea to take a day and go over the whole truck. For those restoring or working on multiple things at once, take your time and make sure everything is both tight and secure.



Fortunately for me , losing my brakes was at a controllable time, and not when I HAD to have them.

 

[Jgolden]

Had it happen with my 82 dodge. In traffic, going slow. Split a rusted brake line. Actually got my emergency (I guess it's called a Park brake now) brake to help out. Not handy but it worked.

For those of us that like the older vehicles, brake line rehab is big deal. Most of my brake lines have been replaced but it's no fun.

There was a good thread a while back about salt protection And I have been getting under and coating brake lines, and replacing metal brackets with plastic.

My wife has a junk yard on speed dial. She is a gambler, but claims riding in a 30 yr old truck with no air bags is a bet you can't win.

Been told brakelines rust out from the inside, not sure on that.

Like a lot of things, once it happens it is always in the back of the mind.

 

[Headshot zod]

I had the brake lines blow out on my grandmother's 79 Caprice a few months back. Thank goodness I was already at the gas pump. They had rusted through. Moments earlier I was doing 60 on the highway. whewwwww!



I haven't gone over my hard brake lines on my 92 yet. But when I replaced the booster and master cylinder I redid the hoses with some braided ones.

 

[ZedMikey]

I had a similar thing happen on my '86 Cherokee... fortunately, the line blew while it was on the dyno getting emissions tested. I think the torch got too close while the fenders were trimmed...

 

[rpowell]

i had the same problem, but i had to replace the booster and master cylinder, make sure when you bleed your lines check the back valve (not for sure if thats what it is called) but it is located on the driver side behind the rear axle and it is bolted the the frame. when i was bleeding my brakes i was still getting a soft pedal even though i replace the master cylinder and booster, come to find out that valve needed bleading also, after that i had brakes.