I had a rusted through fuel line last year. Now I just had a rusted through brake line leaving me stranded and needing a tow. Is this really just me?? Is anyone else having these issues? The lines all look good just about everywhere except for a couple spots where it literally rots straight through. This failure was one of the hard lines off the master cylinder at the 4 complete loops that I assume are for thermal expansion. I've wanted to get stainless lines but it seems like I'm on an island since no one makes them. Misery loves company...do I have any?
Rusty lines
- Thread starter mr111
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Where are you located?
I feel your pain, I bought my Cruiser from Ohio, didn't do a thorough job inspecting and trusted the seller a bit too much, and came to find out that everything on the bottom is rusted/rusting heavily. He also did a poor job of PM but on the bright side, I'll have a nearly new truck when I'm done with it.
My brakes look rough in the same spot and it's why I keep a 25' roll of brake line and a flaring tool in the truck, "just in case". You'll also want to check your A/C line just aft of the passenger wheel well, mine rusted out and that area is notorious for corrosion.
My brakes look rough in the same spot and it's why I keep a 25' roll of brake line and a flaring tool in the truck, "just in case". You'll also want to check your A/C line just aft of the passenger wheel well, mine rusted out and that area is notorious for corrosion.
My 04 (ohio truck) has a decent amount of undercarriage rust but I paid close attention to the brake lines when I bought it and they all looked to be in surprisingly good shape. I will look again at the coils near the master cylinder.
I did have rusted out AC lines that had to be replaced.
I also know the busted brake line feeling. That is the exact reason we sold our Tahoe. First time a line popped I was getting off an exit ramp that was up hill so I was able to stop. Did a hack job replacing that line then about 6 months later happened to a different line while my wife was driving. Took it to chevy and they replaced all brake lines for under a grand (very common issue and TSB for rusted brake lines, luckily GM sells a kit for $200 with all lines pre-bent and coated, still $800 in labor as they had to lift the body off the frame). But that was the nail in the coffin. Sold it shortly there after.
I did have rusted out AC lines that had to be replaced.
I also know the busted brake line feeling. That is the exact reason we sold our Tahoe. First time a line popped I was getting off an exit ramp that was up hill so I was able to stop. Did a hack job replacing that line then about 6 months later happened to a different line while my wife was driving. Took it to chevy and they replaced all brake lines for under a grand (very common issue and TSB for rusted brake lines, luckily GM sells a kit for $200 with all lines pre-bent and coated, still $800 in labor as they had to lift the body off the frame). But that was the nail in the coffin. Sold it shortly there after.
Somewhat familiar/similar: I had this issue once for the AC lines going to the rear, but it was all replaced with flexible lines (I presume similar to steel mesh brake lines), thus eliminating the need for expensive labor to install the fixed/rigid lines.
I noticed yesterday while doing an AHC flush that the rigid AHC lines run just about on the frame in certain areas. Over many miles and bumps that would surely lead to problems/dents/damage/leaks....
I noticed yesterday while doing an AHC flush that the rigid AHC lines run just about on the frame in certain areas. Over many miles and bumps that would surely lead to problems/dents/damage/leaks....
Rusty AC lines? Most AC lines I have seen are aluminum...
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I'm In Pittsburgh PA and I've had more line corrosion issues in the last two years (4) than I have ever had before (0). Maybe something new they started putting down to keep the roads clear. Btw this truck was pristine and rust free when I bought it a few years ago. It had also always been garaged until I bought it. For the record this truck has had two failures (fuel line near the tank and the recent brake line) while my Ram had two brake line rust failures too. It doesn't fill me with confidence sending my wife and kid out in these things.
Salt on road sucks.
Fixed it forya
Unfortunately salt is a necessary evil in the Winter. If we did not salt our roads in Missouri there would be a huge public outcry and certainly a huge increase in crashes. Beet juice is good for a pretreat of roads, but you need salt to melt the ice and then keep it from refreezing. Transportation and Public Works Departments don't use salt because they have a fetish for it; it is necessary. I always make sure to get a good underbody wash after a snow event.