2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission P.S.A. ------- Brake Lines

[Ken Roberts]

Guys,
Wednesday I was driving the Mighty Dodge home from a job and as I get on a on-ramp to the local Interstate, the guy in front of me STOPS, instead of merging with the rest of traffic. I stand on the brake pedal and it goes to the floor. I find a safe way between the guy and the rest of the merging traffic, and get safely to the shoulder of the road.
Short story for quite an exciting few seconds.
Anyway, look over the brake lines in your truck. If they are rusty, they might need replacing. Mine did.
306,000 on brake lines, I should have replaced them awhile ago.


Ken R

 

[JR]

That's pretty dang good mileage for living in NJ. I would highly recommend buying a roll of copper nickel brake line as a replacement. They are very easy to work with are not affected by road treatment.

 

[The patriot]

That's what I did with mine. copper-nickel. Good stuff. Many of mine didnt make it to 100K miles.
BTW Howdy neighbor! I'm in northern ocean county.

 

[CRodi]

Similar story a few weeks ago. Just crossed the border at the Falls and my abs brake light comes on. Pull into a travel plaza on I-90 and notice a fluid leak just in front of the left rear tire. Still had a decent brake pedal so I got off the Interstate and started looking for a shop. Just as I pulled into a shop in Batavia NY, my pedal drops to the floor. Luckily the shop wasn't busy and had an open bay. Ten foot copper-nickel brake line that goes from the front to rear axle, brake fluid & flush and $300.00 later and I'm back on the road again. I figure I got off lucky.

I get my truck oil sprayed every year and is in pretty good shape, so I never really paid too much attention to the underneath. The brake line hugs the frame pretty tight, so I guess all the crud from the salt and de-icing chemicals got trapped in there and did a number on the brake line.

No matter how good you think your vehicle is, it never hurts to get underneath on a regular basis and do a thorough inspection. You never know what you'll discover.

 

[The patriot]

I did that one on my truck. Closely hugging the frame, I think I lowered the tank just to make it a little easier.

Edit: IIRC there's a small loop shaped piece in the back that's partially blocked by the spare tire that I should also do.....