Rear Brake Line

[volkswagen_bug]

Good afternoon. I purchased a nearly all-original 1958 Bug a few days ago. My intention is to maintain it for a few years and then do a full pan-off restoration with my son. As with all vintage vehicles, a few things need attention. I noticed a pool of brake fluid under the vehicle, and the driver’s carpet is wet near the firewall. When pressing the brake pedal, I see small bubbles coming from the grommet between the firewall and the brake line. I’m assuming the line somehow has a pinhole leak.

My question is: is this common, and how difficult is it to replace the entire line?
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1958 Volkswagen Bug w/ 1200 Single Port

[VW_Jimbo]

Yep! That is a brake fluid leak, most likely from the master cylinder. If you remove the dust boot at the rear of the unit and push the pedal, you might be able to see it leak. If not find it quickly, as brake fluid will strip the paint off of the steel, leaving the steel exposed to moisture.

Brake fluid is hygroscopic. So, to clean it and neutralize the damages it can do, you flood it with water. Down side is flash rust will find a way in after that. After it dries up. Apply some Ospho with a squirt bottle, allow it some time to do its thing, then rinse with water. Allow that to fully dry, then hit it with an etching primer. Followed by paint.

Be sure to fix the leak during those down cycles in the brake fluid mitigation!

Also, check the wheel cylinders and the brake rubber hoses. They are probably all on the same wear point.

If it does end up being a hard line. The one running down the outside of the tunnel. The job is not difficult. You just need to know how to bend brake lines without kinking them. Watch some YouTube videos. Remove the interior on the drivers side (seat, floor mats, carpet) then get to the fun! A 11mm or 7/16” flare nut wrench is your best friend along with a 17mm open end wrench for support!
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Jimbo

There is never enough time to do it right the first time, but all the time necessary the second time!

[volkswagen_bug]

Thanks for the reply, VM_Jimbo. I didn’t consider the master cylinder being the culprit because I saw small air bubbles between the rear brake line and the rubber grommet at the firewall. I’ll continue to dig further before purchasing any parts.
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1958 Volkswagen Bug w/ 1200 Single Port

[Cusser]

Agree: make sure first that the leak is not from the rear of the master cylinder.

Ask me how I know this....

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=747133&highlight=1971+super+beetle+thread
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1970 VW (owned since 1972) and 1971 VW Convertible (owned since 1976), second owner of each. The '71 now has the 1835 engine, swapped from the '70. Second owner of each. 1988 Mazda B2200 truck, 1998 Frontier, 2014 Yukon, 2004 Frontier King Cab. All manual transmission except for the Yukon. http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=335294 http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=335297

[volkswagen_bug]

The grommet around the brake line broke apart, and I cannot see anything wrong with the line. In between, though, I can see fluid and it’s wet, so I’m assuming it’s the master cylinder. Is it worth rebuilding, or should I just replace it?
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1958 Volkswagen Bug w/ 1200 Single Port

[daveblank]

[volkswagen_bug]

I'm trying to keep it as stock as possible. Is there much benefit to converting it to a dual circuit master cylinder.
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1958 Volkswagen Bug w/ 1200 Single Port

[OldSchoolVW's]

[quote=]"volkswagen_bug" Is there much benefit to converting it to a dual circuit master cylinder.[/quote]

Plenty. With a single circuit, a failure anywhere in the brake lines or wheel cylinders results in a failure of the brake system. With a dual circuit you would only experience a partial loss of braking ability. Do as daveblank suggests. You will be glad you did.
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Tom

"Following distance is proportional to IQ."

"It's okay to think."

"If you don't do it this year, you'll be one year older when you do." Warren Miller

'63 Beetle Sedan
'69 Beetle Sunroof
'70 Beetle Sedan
'73 Type 3 Fastback

[volkswagen_bug]

Is there a common part number used for the dual circuit master cylinder that you can share?
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1958 Volkswagen Bug w/ 1200 Single Port

[OldSchoolVW's]

[viiking]

It's not just the MC you need but you will also have to get/make brake lines to go from single circuit to dual circuit.
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1968 1500 RHD Lotus White Beetle since birth. In the hospital for major surgery
1966 Lancia Flavia Pininfarina Coupe - in the waiting room
Discharged: 1983 Vanagon, 1974 1800 Microbus,1968 Low Light,1968 Type 3

[OldSchoolVW's]

Kind of why I'm nudging our OP to consider doing the brake overhaul now. I totally get the desire to drive and enjoy a recently purchased bug (the fun part of ownership) and get around to stuff like brake overhauls later on. Unless certain of what recent work was done to the bug (and that it was done properly), taking the time to tend to the mechanicals early on goes a long way toward preventing costly, unfortunate failures (brake failure, fuel line leak in engine compartment, fuel pump diaphragm leak, etc.) that can take the bloom off the rose.
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Tom

"Following distance is proportional to IQ."

"It's okay to think."

"If you don't do it this year, you'll be one year older when you do." Warren Miller

'63 Beetle Sedan
'69 Beetle Sunroof
'70 Beetle Sedan
'73 Type 3 Fastback

[viiking]

[Schnitzelfuss]

I’m of the belief that it’s OK to keep the single circuit brake system provided you’ve ensured all system components are inspected regularly and maintained in good working order. As others have stated, for your safety and peace of mind, replace the components with moving parts, all rubber seals and lines, inspect the rest of the system using the workshop manual information, and put fresh fluid in the system.

[volkswagen_bug]

Thanks for all of the replies. At this time I will be keeping the single circuit brake system and saving any future upgrades for when we do the full restoration. All moving parts, rubber and seals have been ordered.
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1958 Volkswagen Bug w/ 1200 Single Port

[daveblank]

[volkswagen_bug]

I've seen a master cylinder much like that one but with the reservoir mounted on top. Not sure where those are from though.
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1958 Volkswagen Bug w/ 1200 Single Port

[daveblank]

[Bobs67vwagen]

I put one on my IRS pan that I am going to use on my 67. I got it form rock auto, here is a picture.