Hey Folks, my 98's rebuild has been getting bigger and bigger. Haven't touched it in the past month due to kitchen remodel and other stuff going on While I was pulling the exhaust and engine block, I noticed my brake lines are getting rusty. This is part of the consequence of daily driving in the winter after 18 years and 200k miles

Anyway- I'll likely pull the drivetrain too to rebuild the transmission since 3rd gear is starting to grind. The frame is still in decent shape with some areas showing some rust- which I'll treat by sanding/brushing off and POR15.


Thus- anyone replace all the metal brake lines? I'm torn between just trying to extend the life of the existing ones-OR just go ahead and replacing it- with the engine and drive train out, it's pretty easy to access all the lines, particularly the ones in the tunnel and behind the engine. The ones coming off the ABS module I likely won't touch as look pretty good and are easy to access.

From my research- rust inhibitors don't really work on brake lines, and I don't want to make the brake lines any thinner by attempting to sand off the rust.

This car is now my project car, it's been down for the last 6 months for a heads/cam + lots of other stuff job, I do have another daily driver but plan to keep using the vette as a daily once it drives again.

With my luck I'll replace the lines then the ECBM will fail then I'll attempt to run a new ECBM with a new PCM and hope to figure that out I'm definitely not going to tackle the ECBM project as mine still works and that will be a project on its own. I'll also post pictures later tonight of my brake lines.

 

I don't know if this would be a option ??? Talk to Marc

http://www.vettenuts.net/

 

GM no longer makes the lines so, you would have to bend and install new ones from store brought generic line.

Like stated above by " akapounder " USED IS AN OPTION..

Bill

 

Also remember: if you DO decide to bend up some lines of your own, the flares on the ends are NOT standard SAE flares. The lines on all C5s are metric lines and the flares are ISO or "bubble" flares. You need SPECIFIC flaring tools to make the correct flared ends.

 

Hmm that's an idea, I was actually planning on rolling new lines but didn't even think of using used ones- prebent with fittings. I'll see what I can do

Which reminds me, Marc still owes me some fasteners, I'll get in contact with him.

 

LoneStarFRC

Your AVATAR makes me LOL every time I see it!!

 

the lines on my 99 are not rusted at all so maybe Marc has some nice ones ????

 

Do you drive yours in the Michigan winters?

 

Used if you can get good ones, just hope UPS doesn't bend them for you

Also, once installed, I would spray them with some protectant spray like that sold by NAPA or Mercury Marine.

 

Hell NO

 

No kidding. Pretzels anyone?

The short stuff isn't too bad, but the long ones,..........hmmm.

 

I just talked to Marc - he has them, he usually cuts them in half, ships them then I'll flare/couple them myself. I'll do more inspection tonight hopefully after I undo the frozen exhaust damn winter driver