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Derek
Dodge Dakota
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3/07/2007
13:11:40

Subject: Brake line replacement
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Hi

I have a '99 v6 that appears to have sprung a leak in the drivers side steel brake line that runs the length of the truck. It is long so I don't think that I could get a premade line that long that I could bend to shape. Do the auto part stores carry replacements? Has anyone managed to replace one of these themselves? It looks like it could be tricky as it winds all over the the chassis. I've replaced lines and cylinders before but only on older vehicles.

Any advice you can give would be great.

Thanks

Derek



mddak
Dodge Dakota
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3/07/2007
14:18:42

RE: Brake line replacement
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can you cut and flare the tubing at the leak then put in a flare joiner to reconnect it



Derek
Dodge Dakota
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3/07/2007
15:11:58

RE: Brake line replacement
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That's a good suggestion, I could probably cut out the rusted section and replace with a premade length from napa and then flare both ends of the original as the rest of the line seems to be in good shape.

I would prefer to replace the whole thing but I can't see that happening.



Kowalski
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3/07/2007
18:29:58

RE: Brake line replacement
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Once a line fails, I'd consider the whole line to be supect - might be a good idea to replace as much as you can. Good idea to double flare brake line; sees more pressure than something like a propane or plumbing line, in case that's what you're used to flaring.

Lead, follow, or get out of the way

Sigma
Dodge Dakota
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3/07/2007
19:57:20

RE: Brake line replacement
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Kowalski has good, sound advice. Brakes is a safety item & you should be aggressive in maintence or repairs.

The tubing is cheeap compared to the cost of a deductable. Tubing front to rear plus the rubber hose distribution tee should about $50. IF you live in a snow belt & they use salt check the line as it runs behind your gas tank. That is where mine rusted out.........





OBIO3
Dodge Dakota
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3/07/2007
20:14:58

RE: Brake line replacement
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Reading what Derek said carefully, he states the line is rusted where it leaks. He goes on to state the rest looks ok. I gather he is saying there is no other places rusted. If this is the case and inspection has been done with great care I think I would feel comfertable with replacing the bad section.
At the same time, If you feel you would worry about a new rupture happening then by all means replace it all. You should be able to buy the premade brake line if no where else, from the dealer. The only reason not to be able to do this would be if the line is impossible to install with out bending it in place as you go.



jackoo
Dodge Dakota
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3/07/2007
21:44:17

RE: Brake line replacement
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flare fitting are used on brakes and in regards to pressure - ya got rubber seals in the cyclinders,. flare will take a lot more than compresion fittings.

brakes only fail castospropicaally in the movies and in fools minds



.boB
Dodge Dakota
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3/07/2007
23:45:07

RE: Brake line replacement
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Brake lines should be double flared at 45*, single flared at 37* (AN).

There are some new compression fittings good to over 2,500 psi. They cost a little more than standard flares, but you don't have to be skilled at making a flare or spend money on the flare tool for a single repair.

Contact www.fortesparts.com for those fittings.



Derek
Dodge Dakota
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3/08/2007
08:43:42

RE: Brake line replacement
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Thanks all, I went to autozone last night and got a 20" section of line which should do the job. The original line is just rusted in a couple of spots - a bit like the truck which has just developed a couple of spots around the wheel arches :( - I live in NC so there isn't a lot of salt on the roads. I usually get parts from Napa but this time I went to autozone because they lend tools. You can get the double flare tool for a $25 deposit. I've made a couple of practice runs with the tool which is a good idea as the first one was a disaster. I'll attempt the job today sometime so I'll report back.

thanks again

d



mddak
Dodge Dakota
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3/08/2007
09:51:16

RE: Brake line replacement
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lot of times individual pin hole leaks come from manufacturing defects.

seen leaks from manufacturing spot corrosion leak - cheap metal, poor inspection at the factory.

seen stress leaks from bending which weakens/thins the metal or allows crub to catch.

I do like stainless steel

http://www.stylinconcepts.com/parts.aspx/partfamilyid/1661/subcategoryid/131/categoryid/28



Sigma
Dodge Dakota
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3/08/2007
20:20:29

RE: Brake line replacement
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jackoo wrote:

"brakes only fail castospropicaally in the movies and in fools minds"


Guess I'm a fool..........

Where were you???

Line blew out in rusted spot behind tank, Then the front RH flex hose blew....

Fool!!

Had to replace every inch of tubing from the ABS valve, front & rear!!

Only in the movies.........LOL, Fool



Kowalski
GenIII
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3/09/2007
07:31:27

RE: Brake line replacement
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Well said - I had brakes fail catastrophically on me once as well. Blew a heavy wooden sand box (for snow) to pieces in my '70 Coronet while swerving to avoid the car ahead at a stop sign; luckily I finally got it stopped without further incident on the other side of the intersection. Limped it home for repair very carefully using the parking brake.

Never had one blow up on impact like they do in the movies though !

Lead, follow, or get out of the way

bullhicks
Dodge Dakota
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3/09/2007
09:47:17

RE: Brake line replacement
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yea I lose my brakes all the time. wye only last week ran over a cat and its claws cut the cut the rear line, sweared to avoid a naked statue and snapped the steel line on a open manhole. tried the parking brake and snapped the cable. finally came to a stop in a ikea parking lot

then i woke up LMAO

it ain't rocket science folks LOL





Derek
Dodge Dakota
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3/22/2007
17:41:47

RE: Brake line replacement
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Message:
Just repoting back on this; Thanks again for the advice. I did end up replacing a 20" section which seems to be holding up fine. The most difficult thing was trying to flare the existing line with everything in the way but patience and persistance got me there in the end.

I'll be paying close attention to any naked statues that look like they are about to jump into my path ;)

d



Sigma
Dodge Dakota
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3/22/2007
20:34:31

RE: Brake line replacement
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Derek,

I had 163K on mine when it let go. Pretty good considering I live in the salt belt in winter & summer. Previous owner used this truck to launched a boat in salt water.........

Great to hear the repair went fine!





lol
Dodge Dakota
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3/23/2007
06:39:40

RE: Brake line replacement
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It's not the miles that will wear out your brake lines - it's the years of exposure to water and salt.



matt
Dodge Dakota
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3/24/2007
13:45:45

RE: Brake line replacement
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264K miles in MD, plenty of salt in winter. my fuel line is like a sprinkler hose. i need to replace supply and return along with brake line. have not found steel line supplier so i guess backyard bending with local auto parts steel line is only solution.



Marc
Dodge Dakota
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8/07/2011
09:32:34

RE: Brake line replacement
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Message:
Glad to have found this forum. I have a 99 Dakota,
only about 87K on it, but most of its life was up in
Alaska. Have a leak in the line right below the
driver's side door, seems to be right where a bend
is in the pipe. Can't get up in there enough to
see exactly where though.



suba me
Dodge Dakota
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12/20/2018
11:29:25

OaLylKKqfFlRHMB
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5Ckq5U I truly appreciate this blog post.Much thanks again. Cool.



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