Sorry, I was talking in general, I didn’t look it up… Thanks… If I had it in my shop I would have seen that… lol
I was charged for all new brake lines and installation but my neighbor says they are only new on the rear. Are they copper and easy to spot?
I am thinking of asking to see the bottom of the car when it is on the lift then casually ask them to point out all the new brake lines. Should I do this? Or how should I handle this if indeed I was charged for something that was not done? If all the lines were new perhaps I would not have the leak I have now. Would the new lines show under the hood coming from the master cylinder?
We’re talking about replacing the rubber brake lines that connect the metal lines routed down the body to the brake cylinders on the wheels. Unless your car has seen significant corrosion, the metal lines would likely be OK. Has there been any rust on the body?
If you are planning to drive this car to the mechanic (I would have it towed), make absolutely sure the brake fluid reservoir is full.
Your comment on a gas leak is concerning. My '65 Mustang (high school car) burned up when the rubber fuel line in the engine compartment let go, spraying the engine with gas. I had since passed it along to a relative, who had to jump out of the car on the freeway.
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I replaced the one on my 4runner when I had to do my second set of front calipers with a braded line. The solid brake lines are a real pain to work with. Made the job a lot easier. That vehicle had a front brake caliper design problem. I couldn’t get more then 18 months on a set.
No rust anywhere.
So the lines are not 100% copper? They are copper and rubber? Would it be copper coming from the master cylinder then transitioning to rubber down the line?
There are two types, metal (typically steel) running down the body, and flexible rubber hoses to connect the moving brake drums to the metal brake lines on the body.
Here’s a photo looking from the back of the car over the rear axle. It shows the metal lines on the rear axle which connect by a rubber line to the metal line on the body:
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So all my metal lines should be new then right? Including the metal lines coming from the master cylinder? Here you can see they are the old ones.
It’s unusual to replace all the metal lines. Why do you think they did that?
My invoice says:
Front brakes:
“Removed and replaced brake shoes, hard ware kit, wheel cylinders and brake lines”.
Rear brakes:
“Removed and replaced brake shoes, hard ware kit, wheel cylinders and brake lines”.
Over under parts:
Steel brake line $5.93
Steel brake line $8.48
Some people refer to brake hoses as brake lines, but there is a difference.
Brake lines are steel tubing connected to the master cylinder and are routed under the car body.
Brake hoses connect the brake lines to the front wheels and rear axle housing.
Check the parts list on your invoice for 3 brake hoses.
Where did you see the leak? There are many brake parts that can leak brake fluid.
If it were not for the leak we wouldn’t even be looking at the lines.
Those brake lines would likely be the steel brake lines on the rear axle housing.
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Look directly at the leak and describe the part.
As surprised as I am at how inexpensive the two steel lines are, I’m also surprised at how expensive the two brake hoses are. I’m also surprised at $187 for the master cylinder. Really, most all the part prices are a bit high.
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The car was parked on an incline and the drip was coming down off a metal piece…we don’t know where it originated. Someplace from the front. Here is the metal piece it was dripping from.
I can get over the cost if there were no problems.
The gas smell is unbelievable. I didn’t know if i should open or close the windows when driving. My entire garage smells like gas too. Then the issue that the brakes don’t stop the car until you have the pedal about an inch from the floor. When backing out of a garage on an incline i have to constantly pump the brakes to keep in control of the car.
The car is going back to the shop tomorrow AM.
Between the brakes and gas, your car is very dangerous. Be careful.
For the safety of you and your family, please park the car outside until you are able to take it back to the shop. A vehicle that is leaking even a tiny amount of fuel should not be in an enclosed area.
The fluid might be fresh or the fluid may have accumulated in the frame channel when they replaced and bleed the master cylinder. Have you checked the fluid level in the master cylinder reservoir?
Neither, you should not start the engine or drive the car if there is a fuel leak.
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