Brake lines that when they come off the Master cylinder

Tiny
ARACZEK
  • MEMBER
  • 1998 DODGE CARAVAN
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 89,000 MILES
My wifes car has brake lines that when they come off the master cylinder or, proportioning block ( mounted on crossmember) there are two braided lines welded to the steel lines that go to the rear. A defect exists due to dissimilar metals causing corrosion on the stell line, thus it burst. Luckily my wife was not HURT. I Want to repair this but do not want to order the braided lines. Would it be acceptable to just cut out the braid and corroded portion and just replace it with standard brake line?

AR
Tuesday, June 21st, 2011 AT 10:00 PM

5 Replies

Tiny
WRENCHTECH
  • MECHANIC
  • 20,761 POSTS
No, that wouldn't be acceptable. The braided line is used for a reason and must be replaced. This video can help you fix it.

https://youtu.be/sO43p4ZFUiM

Please run down this guide and report back.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Tuesday, June 21st, 2011 AT 10:44 PM
Tiny
MHPAUTOS
  • MECHANIC
  • 31,937 POSTS
Never alter manufacturer's brake systems, you will have to fit a new line any alteration can cause serious problems.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Tuesday, June 21st, 2011 AT 10:50 PM
Tiny
ARACZEK
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Yes I understand perfectly. Problem is from a mechanic he said the braided
parts need to be ordered from the dealer. Another thing he said was it is difficult
to remove the fittings off the master cylinder and if they strip the whole thing needs
to be replaced at a cost of $1800 (master cylinder).
Other things are wrong with the car, like catalytic converter, oxygen
sensor. Just want to get rid of car at this point as it is spending a lot
of time in garage.
Why do they use a braided line then? This is a known defect and I read
elsewhere a few years later they replaced the braided section
with a hard line. They never admitted the design caused corrosion
and brake failure. There have been formal complaints on this issue.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Saturday, June 25th, 2011 AT 8:26 PM
Tiny
WRENCHTECH
  • MECHANIC
  • 20,761 POSTS
That's just nonsense. Thee are formal complaints on everything. It's done that way because it needs to be flexible in that area. That is rubber line inside the braid and rubber doesn't corrode. There is only one way to repair brake components and that is the RIGHT way and the way it was manufactured and engineered. The cost or your intended use for the car should not be part of the equation.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Saturday, June 25th, 2011 AT 8:57 PM
Tiny
ARACZEK
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
But the brake line ATTACHED or welded to the braided line corrodes due to dissimilar metals used. I can show you pictures from my wife's car. Yes I know it's safer to use factory parts.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Sunday, June 26th, 2011 AT 10:35 AM

Please login or register to post a reply.

Sponsored links