OK, this is probably a dumb question. But I was talking to a mechanic about my brakes and something he said made me think that possibly only the rear brakes use hydraulics (ie. brake lines) to stop, and front brakes use just the mechanics of rotors. I am wondering because my brake lines were all redone about 2 years ago, but now they are saying one little braided one is looking rusty enough to not pass safety check. I’ve kept my brakes up otherwise, and just had the rotors and pads replaced on the front. So, I’m wondering, if the lines go, will the front brakes stop me? I probably need some body work, and a rear brake seal, and maybe wheel bearings done for safety, but I am thinking of just moving to where I don’t need a safety check and driving it till it drops. Still want to be able to stop the vehicle though.
The brakes on all 4 wheels use a hydraulic system to activate them.
A leak in one of the brake hydraulic lines will lead to loss of braking ability on at least 2 of your wheels. Since the front brakes perform about 70% of your braking, it is particularly important to have them functioning properly.
The parking/emergency brake on the rear wheels utilizes a cable to activate it.
Moving to a different state in order to avoid a safety inspection is extremely short-sighted. When you cause an accident as a result of brake failure, and when that failure is tied to your lack of maintenance, the resulting liability will likely wipe out your income for at least 20 years.
Either have the brakes and wheel bearings properly repaired now, or park the car until you can afford to have the repairs done.
All four brakes work hydraulically. There are brake lines running to each wheel. Hydraulic pressure is what clamps the brake pads against the rotors to slow the vehicle.
The parking brake works on the rear wheels by mechanical action, via a cable.
Did I read your posting correctly?
Are you saying you will move to another state that doesn’t require auto safety inspections, just so you won’t need to get your brakes fixed?
I DID say that I wanted to be able to stop the vehicle; thus the question. And they weren’t sure that the wheel bearings needed work.
And the vehicle you’re talking about is a . . . Model T? Honda Civic? Sherman Tank? Space Shuttle? Your question is (I think) if the lines go, will the front brakes stop me? Given the info available, I’d say maybe yes or no. Seriously . . could you give more information please? Rocketman
You are considering moving to another state to avoid having to legally fix your brakes? Wow, just wow. Staggering. To most people paying the hundred bucks or so to have the line replaced would be worth it since it’s pretty big safety issue and not doing so could result in you or someone else being killed to death in an accident.
Every car that I can think of made in the last 60 years or so has hydraulic brakes front and rear.
First off…ALL brakes work off of hydraulics…Calipers need hydraulic fluid to work…they don’t work without it…
Second…About 80% of all braking is done with the front brakes. The hydraulic better be working correctly.
Third…You want to move to a State that doesn’t have a safety inspection so you can drive around with an unsafe car. Let me explain something to you. In many states if you knowingly drive a Unsafe vehicle and get in a accident it’s a Misdemeanor…Can you say Jail???
I will never understand the reasoning behind people trying anythiung possible to get away with not doing needed brake work. Often these same people will go to extraordinary lengths to correct a misfire.
Don’t people understand that a misfiring engine can ruin your ride but losing the ability to stop can ruin the rest of their lives?
Having said that, I’d get a second opinion of that brake line. Lines don’t corrode in two years, however the OP didn’t mention exactly what was “redone” on the brake lines two years ago.