brake line broke
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 211
Likes: 2
brake line broke
Hi..1970 convertible. The driver side brake line is broke.Not an option to repair. The aim catalog makes it look like that line is one piece from the proportional valve back to the distribution block. Is that true ?Clearly that line was put on prior to the body. Has anyone replaced that line with the car in tact, engine,body,transmission etc? Can it be done? Has anyone gone rogue and made their own from scratch. My car is not stock so I have options. Any help would be helpful. Thanks!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,231
Likes: 34
From: Ontario
Check The rest
If you already have 1 line rotted out it would be a good time to look at the rest of the lines. Pay carefull attention to places where they are fastened by clips or go over the frame rail .
Bill
Bill
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 971
Likes: 45
From: Middlesex NJ
I replaced my lines while the body was off with stainless. It really is a much easier job when the body is off.
There is a really nice type of line out now that you can bend by hand in almost any direction and NOT kink it. I mean you can twist this stuff like a pretzel by hand and it wont kink. It is made of an alloy so it does not rust.
The site below is where I bought it from. You may find other sites. Pick the diameter you need and you can also get all of the fittings. They even sell kits that can do an entire car.
http://www.tooltopia.com/surr-auto-parts-brez200.aspx
http://www.tooltopia.com/surr-auto-parts-br-ez14.aspx
This flare tool is expensive and if you don't need to do the flaring on the car then you don't need it, but if you need to be under the car and put a double flare on in a limited room location then this is the greatest tool ever.
http://www.tooltopia.com/mastercool-71475.aspx
You need a good double flare tool and the appropriate fittings and this stuff works great. I had to replace the two rear lines on my crown victoria as they were almost rotted through. Just managed to catch it while changing the tranny fluid and filter.
There is a really nice type of line out now that you can bend by hand in almost any direction and NOT kink it. I mean you can twist this stuff like a pretzel by hand and it wont kink. It is made of an alloy so it does not rust.
The site below is where I bought it from. You may find other sites. Pick the diameter you need and you can also get all of the fittings. They even sell kits that can do an entire car.
http://www.tooltopia.com/surr-auto-parts-brez200.aspx
http://www.tooltopia.com/surr-auto-parts-br-ez14.aspx
This flare tool is expensive and if you don't need to do the flaring on the car then you don't need it, but if you need to be under the car and put a double flare on in a limited room location then this is the greatest tool ever.
http://www.tooltopia.com/mastercool-71475.aspx
You need a good double flare tool and the appropriate fittings and this stuff works great. I had to replace the two rear lines on my crown victoria as they were almost rotted through. Just managed to catch it while changing the tranny fluid and filter.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 3,079
Likes: 315
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
FYI, that brass valve on your '70 doesn't proportion anything. It senses a pressure imbalance between the front and rear systems and activates the brake warning light in your dash. I believe later C3s used a proportioning valve.
Good luck changing the brake line. Be glad it is not the fuel line(s) on the other side. Those can only be done by lifting the body at least a few inches, or putting in line(s) with unions in the rear wheel well.
Good luck changing the brake line. Be glad it is not the fuel line(s) on the other side. Those can only be done by lifting the body at least a few inches, or putting in line(s) with unions in the rear wheel well.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,482
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
Before you attempt to replace the line, buy a good set of flare nut wrenches.
Trust me.
Yes. All brake lines and master cylinder were installed and the system pressure bled before body drop.
Trust me.
Yes. All brake lines and master cylinder were installed and the system pressure bled before body drop.
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 228
Likes: 0
I'm getting ready to replace mine....got the old ones off but I have just been sitting and shaking my head wondering why...why....why, do I even have this as a hobby....LOL
This is going to be tuff job to do without cutting the rear line that goes over frame rail. IMO
I've actually been thinking about splicing with a braided SS flex line to go over the frame. What is everyones opinion on that?
This is going to be tuff job to do without cutting the rear line that goes over frame rail. IMO
I've actually been thinking about splicing with a braided SS flex line to go over the frame. What is everyones opinion on that?
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Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 211
Likes: 2
hopeful
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,992
Likes: 56
From: Antioch IL
I had mine on jack stands. I replaced the brake lines as one of those since I am here type of things. I had my Trailing arms and Rear Diff out being rebuilt. So I changed all the brake lines and blocks.
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 857
Likes: 1
From: Morrisonville Illinios
My son and I did ours with the body on but we had it on our lift. Repalced them all with SS and the Master Cyl. also . Not all that bad job but have a GOOD set of Line wrenchs that is a MUST.Good Luck wro87
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 5,253
Likes: 768
From: Waterford WI
Your local parts store has TBW (tinned bundy weld) brake tubing in the right diameter in many different lengths (none of them long enough to go all the way from front to back). If you have a double flaring tool (they are reasonable to buy) you can make, bend, and join the lines yourself. You'd have to put a junction in the line, and that enables you to fit them much more easily than taking the body off or fighting with the body on. I mention this because you said yours isn't that original--you won't lose points for having a junction, because you aren't having the car judged!
