Brake Line replacement??

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Aug 23, 2006 | 09:48 PM

BIGJIM13

Thread Starter

Drifting

Joined: Oct 2003

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From: Dallas Texas

Brake Line replacement??

Has anyone replaced the brake line that goes from the front (proportioning valve) to the rear - without taking the body off!
is it possible to do without body removal? 74 vette
Thanks

Aug 23, 2006 | 10:14 PM

petronix

Instructor

Joined: Dec 2004

Posts: 228

Likes: 3

From: Tampa FL

This is relatively easy if you have a bolt in transmission (automatic) cross-member. Support the trans on a jack and remove the 6 cross-member bolts, lower a couple of inches to get the new brake line above the cross-member. Some flexing of the line downward in the middle will need to be done to insert the line in the front and rear of the car prior to locating it above the cross-member.

I changed all of the brake lines to stainless steel, without removal of the body on my 72.

I don't know if this can be easily accomplished without a bolt in cross-member.

Why my 4-speed car has the bolt-in cross-member is a mystery, as my build sheet says it came with the 4-speed.

Aug 23, 2006 | 10:30 PM

BIGJIM13

Thread Starter

Drifting

Joined: Oct 2003

Posts: 1,357

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From: Dallas Texas

Thanks
SO without the "bolt in transmission (automatic) cross-member"
it might not be possible!

Aug 23, 2006 | 10:54 PM

petronix

Instructor

Joined: Dec 2004

Posts: 228

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From: Tampa FL

I've heard that the non-stainless lines are softer metal and bend more easily - and that it is possible to install them without the removable cross-member. This is second-hand information though, perhaps someone else will chime in. The stainless steel lines did not bend that easily.

I still have to change the 3 fuel lines and have been thinking about trying it with the non-stainless lines, but I also have to replace my rear body mount reinforcement plates, so I have done it yet. Need to perform a body lift sooner or later.

Aug 23, 2006 | 11:59 PM

Artsvette73

Drifting

Joined: Jan 2004

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From: Piscataway NJ

I have replacd stainless brake lines and fuel lines. With the body on. It takes some time.

Aug 24, 2006 | 12:32 AM

jberman

Heel & Toe

Joined: Nov 2005

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Quote:

Originally Posted by BIGJIM13

Has anyone replaced the brake line that goes from the front (proportioning valve) to the rear - without taking the body off!
is it possible to do without body removal? 74 vette
Thanks

I replaced all the brake lines (with ss) and proportioning valve last month on my 74 L48 auto. I'm a novice and it took me one day to remove and install the lines/blocks/hoses and another 2 hours to bleed. Did this in the driveway on jack stands.

The line from the proportioning valve to the rear block is held on by several clips/bolts, some of which are a bit difficult but not impossible to get to. An offset wrench will help a lot. I didn't have one so I made one from an old wrench.

You'll have to wrestle with the line once you feed it in. Follow it from the valve and look up along the rail - you'll see it along side of the fuel line. They are not exactaly bent the way the one you'll remove was, and they are stiff. In fact, mine was shipped bent and needed to be straightened. Be careful not to kink.

When I installed the new line, I connected it at the rear block, started to install the clips, and found that the line extended way passed the proportioning valve connection. Had to remove those darn clips, adjust the bend(s) in the line to fit, and reinstall. I used good quality line wrenches to remove/install the lines.

Aug 24, 2006 | 07:26 AM

Rockn-Roll

Melting Slicks

Joined: Dec 2000

Posts: 3,407

Likes: 2

From: Carmichael CA

I'm doing mine now. The hard part is getting the clips off. These clips hold both the brake line and the fuel vapor recovery line. The bolt which holds the clips onto the frame is located above the lines so a wrench can't be used to remove the bolts, and the body is too close for a standard socket. I simply used a hack saw and wire cutters to cut the clips so I could remove the lines and then get to the bolts. I will be trying to install the lines with the clips upside down so that the lines are farther up and the bolts are easy to reach. If that doesn't work then I'll be grinding a 1/2" socket for a 1/4" drive ratchet so that I can get those bolts back on.

Be sure you replace all the connector blocks too.

Aug 24, 2006 | 08:07 AM

pws69

Melting Slicks

Joined: Nov 2001

Posts: 2,668

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From: Eastern US XX

Quote:

Originally Posted by BIGJIM13

Has anyone replaced the brake line that goes from the front (proportioning valve) to the rear - without taking the body off!
is it possible to do without body removal? 74 vette
Thanks

I replaced all of the brake lines with SS on my 69 4-speed. Didn't have to remove, cut, raise, or tweak anything. It took my son and I a few hours, but it wasn't too bad at all.