Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
 
Old 11-29-2014, 06:59 PM   #1
New Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2014
Posts: 1
Year: 1985
Coachwork: Bluebird
Chassis: Chevy
Engine: 350
Rated Cap: 21
Need advice on brake repair

Hello fellow skoolies. I recently purchased a 1985 Microbird, runs great only problem is a rusted brake line that runs front to back on the drivers side has a leak. I do most of my vehicle repairs myself, but when it comes to brakes the only repairs I have done are shoes. I have called around on having the line replaced, and no one seems willing to fix it. Why? Also no repair books online that I could find. My question is how hard is this going to be to fix, what is the best way and how much am I looking at spending?

Millectric1 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-30-2014, 01:07 PM   #2
Bus Geek
 
bansil's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: MNT CITY TN
Posts: 5,158
Re: Need advice on brake repair

Welcome,
Way too many variables

Dealer parts or buy tubing and bend cut etc and then flare

My advice is this
Replace all lines if one is rusted....you will never have to do this again....for at least 15years

Is it gm or ford?

Easiest route is to get all the lines clips and hoses (be prepared just in case with about $300 for calipers and wheel cylinders) get a mechanic friend and a 12 pack of a good IPA...don't pop first top until lines are replaced

Your looking at $350 worth of lines(prevent etc) plus add in crap that doesn't come loose


Good luck and ask more ?

Hardest part will be taking crap apart, then cleaning, next reassymble, then bleeding....brakes not you
__________________
Our build La Tortuga
Accept the challenges so that you can feel the exhilaration of victory.
George S. Patton
bansil is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-30-2014, 06:22 PM   #3
Site Team
 
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: southwest lowsyana
Posts: 542
Year: 1988
Coachwork: ward
Chassis: international
Engine: dt360a
Rated Cap: 65
Re: Need advice on brake repair

Quote:
Originally Posted by bansil

Hardest part will be taking crap apart, then cleaning, next reassymble, then bleeding....brakes not you
come on man, bleeding is part of the deal. you gotta bleed to get her fixed.
claydbal is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-30-2014, 09:19 PM   #4
Bus Geek
 
ol trunt's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: So Cal
Posts: 3,226
Year: 1935
Coachwork: Superior
Chassis: Chevy
Engine: 317 ci/tid / Isuzu
Re: Need advice on brake repair

What Bansil suggests is true. If you have one brake line leaking, the rest won't be far behind. You need to use either galvanized or stainless steel tubing if you can. It is possible to paint steel tubing to ward off rust, but, not advisable. Also, be SURE to use a double flare tool when you make up new tubing. Single flare (like Harbor Freight tool makes) usually splits the flare at the weld and leaks almost immediately. The double flare tool folds the tube back inside itself and then flares the tube thus avoiding the split. You cab buy the tubing fairly cheaply at a business who deals in hydraulic equipment--about a buck a foot for mild (needs paint) steel. Head Bansil"s advice---my life may depend on it! Hope this helps. Jack
ol trunt is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-01-2014, 08:06 AM   #5
Bus Crazy
 
somewhereinusa's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Andrews,Indiana
Posts: 2,430
Year: 1991
Coachwork: Bluebird
Chassis: AARE
Engine: 3116 Cat 250hp
Rated Cap: Just the two of us.
Re: Need advice on brake repair

I agree with Jack and Bansil. Get a made up brake line and study how the double flare is made. Then make a few practice ones and study them with a magnifying glass. ANY crack is unacceptable. It takes a little practice to get them right.
somewhereinusa is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-01-2014, 11:28 AM   #6
Bus Geek
 
Tango's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Houston, Texas
Posts: 8,462
Year: 1946
Coachwork: Chevrolet/Wayne
Chassis: 1- 1/2 ton
Engine: Cummins 4BT
Rated Cap: 15
Re: Need advice on brake repair

Ditto all the above --- Perfect double flares are critical on brake lines. And just because a flaring tool came from an Auto Supply, doesn't mean it's right for brakes. Half the counter guys don't have a clue about anything auto related.
Tango is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Brake repair for DIYer, winter driving suggestions? tomas_maly Conversion General Discussions 8 03-01-2014 10:11 PM
1997 Ford B-800 brake line repair tomas_maly Conversion General Discussions 18 09-24-2013 05:21 AM
air brake 101...or how to fix/diagnois a stuck brake issue bansil Conversion General Discussions 16 06-28-2012 02:28 PM
Floor repair cschlessman Skoolie Conversion Projects 2 05-15-2012 12:15 PM
Emergency repair kit w1bmw Conversion General Discussions 11 08-02-2006 10:03 PM

» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3

All times are GMT -5. The time now is 10:31 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.