Brake Line replacement
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 98
Likes: 0
From: Port St. Lucie Florida
Brake Line replacement
Hello all,
I have done dozens of brakes jobs, but I have NEVER needed to replace the brake lines. Is there a tutorial on the forum (I've searched)? I cant find one specific to C5s on Google either.
Can you all offer tricks or special tools I may need. I'm changing the brakes, rotors, shocks and paint calipers this weekend.
Thanks
I have done dozens of brakes jobs, but I have NEVER needed to replace the brake lines. Is there a tutorial on the forum (I've searched)? I cant find one specific to C5s on Google either.
Can you all offer tricks or special tools I may need. I'm changing the brakes, rotors, shocks and paint calipers this weekend.
Thanks
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 7,750
Likes: 2,232
From: Brighton MI
Are you talking about the flexible lines that connect to the calipers?
If so, no special tools needed. I replaced mine with Russell s/s lines last summer...pretty straight forward. Instructions came with the lines.
If so, no special tools needed. I replaced mine with Russell s/s lines last summer...pretty straight forward. Instructions came with the lines.
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 98
Likes: 0
From: Port St. Lucie Florida
Thanks for the input.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 6,835
Likes: 301
From: Columbia SC
When working on brake lines I use a tubing wrench which is like a box end but has a portion cut out so you can slide it around the tubing and get a better grip on the threaded fastener.
Not recommending this brand or site but here is what they look like. They may be fine but I buy the highest quality name brand tools I can and HF is not where I shop.
http://www.harborfreight.com/5-pc-sa...set-68865.html
Not recommending this brand or site but here is what they look like. They may be fine but I buy the highest quality name brand tools I can and HF is not where I shop.
http://www.harborfreight.com/5-pc-sa...set-68865.html
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 34,873
Likes: 487
From: Lacey WA RVN 68-69
NCM Sinkhole Donor
Flare wrenches are what you need. I would think they would need to be metric size. Check the new brake line ends with open-end wrench to make sure if the size is metric or SAE.
Also flare wrenches are thicker than normal open-end wrenches; that's because it may take more force with a shorter wrench to loosen the lines.
I would go with Craftsman flare wrenches or Kobalt (Lowe's).
Also flare wrenches are thicker than normal open-end wrenches; that's because it may take more force with a shorter wrench to loosen the lines.
I would go with Craftsman flare wrenches or Kobalt (Lowe's).
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 7,750
Likes: 2,232
From: Brighton MI
Flare wrenches are always a good idea when working on brake lines, fuel lines, etc. I didn't mention them as I don't really consider them "special tools" as I have always had them.
That said, to be honest, I don't remember if I used mine or not. I don't think I did because mine are english not metric.
That said, to be honest, I don't remember if I used mine or not. I don't think I did because mine are english not metric.
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 136
Likes: 6
From: Lees Summit Missouri
Hello all,
I have done dozens of brakes jobs, but I have NEVER needed to replace the brake lines. Is there a tutorial on the forum (I've searched)? I cant find one specific to C5s on Google either.
Can you all offer tricks or special tools I may need. I'm changing the brakes, rotors, shocks and paint calipers this weekend.
Thanks
I have done dozens of brakes jobs, but I have NEVER needed to replace the brake lines. Is there a tutorial on the forum (I've searched)? I cant find one specific to C5s on Google either.
Can you all offer tricks or special tools I may need. I'm changing the brakes, rotors, shocks and paint calipers this weekend.
Thanks
Enjoy,
Ray
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 34,873
Likes: 487
From: Lacey WA RVN 68-69
NCM Sinkhole Donor
If you replace one line at a time, there shouldn't be a lot of leakage. If the old flex lines are the originals with rubber hose, you can crimp them prior to removing the line from the caliper.
Remove the line on the caliper side first, then install the new line on the caliper. Remove the old flex line and immediately install the other end of the new line. Do that for each of the lines and then you can go back and bleed each caliper.
Remove the line on the caliper side first, then install the new line on the caliper. Remove the old flex line and immediately install the other end of the new line. Do that for each of the lines and then you can go back and bleed each caliper.
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Racer
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 410
Likes: 3
From: Garland Texas
Just replaced rotors, pads, and brake lines this past weekend. The lines that I bought had a small rubber cap to install on the lines from the master cylinder to seal them off. Also, here is a link to a short tutorial on it as well.
http://www.toquez06.com/ssbrakes.html
I'm sure there is a video on utube somewhere as well. Take your time and keep everything clean, clean, clean! Good Luck!
http://www.toquez06.com/ssbrakes.html
I'm sure there is a video on utube somewhere as well. Take your time and keep everything clean, clean, clean! Good Luck!
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 4,704
Likes: 239
From: Redondo Beach CA
I have seen some old show cars with clear plastic molded over the braided steel brake line . I don't see these often selected in the posts but it seems like another layer of protection, although unneeded. I see the advantage as keeping small debris from working into the weave of the woven protection.
anybody have any thoughts about this type of construction?
anybody have any thoughts about this type of construction?
Racer
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 410
Likes: 3
From: Garland Texas
I have seen some old show cars with clear plastic molded over the braided steel brake line . I don't see these often selected in the posts but it seems like another layer of protection, although unneeded. I see the advantage as keeping small debris from working into the weave of the woven protection.
anybody have any thoughts about this type of construction?
anybody have any thoughts about this type of construction?
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 3,938
Likes: 497
From: Fords, NJ
Had to do an entire brake line replacement on my 03 Silverado last fall...picked up a set of Craftsman metric flare wrenches for $20.00 ...well worth it ! Don't do a line replacement without them !
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 98
Likes: 0
From: Port St. Lucie Florida
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 87,294
Likes: 1,579
From: Western NY
I would get something to plug the line to the master cylinder so that you minimize the amount of brake fluid that leaks out. If you let too much of the fluid leak out you run the chance of getting AIR into the antilock brake module which is a PITA to purge the air out. I used plastic cellophane with a rubber band to "cap off" the brake line while I installed the new flex brake line.
Enjoy,
Ray
Enjoy,
Ray