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boulderdrop Samba Member
Joined: February 06, 2008 Posts: 481 Location: Seattle, WA
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Posted: Tue Jan 08, 2019 4:13 pm Post subject: Rear Brake Line: Rubber Split, Exposing Metal |
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I was swapping out summer for winter tires, when I noticed this bulge on my brake-line, going to the rear drum, about 2" from the wheel:
It appears to be a split in the rubber, surrounding a metal line. I did some samba googling, and it appears I can just replace this section with flex-braided-steel lines from one of the vendors, bleed the brake and be on my way...
... but I have a new 9m old little girl, and it kind of freaks me out to have any braking issues while coming down from the mountains this winter.
Due to the location, this appears to be an obvious splash point from the tires and I would imagine the other rear is just as bad (I replaced the front-end braking system 5 years ago).. but it gets me thinking...
Q: I had thought this section was just rubber. But it appears to be rubber over a metal core?
Q: Should I look at replacing all the hard-lines in the system?
Q: Are there other rubber points in the braking system that I should look at?
VAN: 84 Westy, Bostig, 200k miles on the body (Pacific NW), disc brakes in the front, original drum brakes in the back[/img] _________________ == My Rides ==
1984 Westy, Bostig, 3rd:1.14, Locker-LSD, Newly Painted
1980 24' J-Boat
1979 Sears Freespirit Moped
1996 Chev S10 4x4 ZR2
2012 Toyota Camry Hybrid (Wife's)
== How I Pay the Bills ==
Windows FTP Server at http://www.bpftpserver.com (PM for a FREE one) |
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SCM Samba Member
Joined: January 26, 2011 Posts: 3102 Location: Bozeman MT
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Posted: Tue Jan 08, 2019 4:22 pm Post subject: Re: Rear Brake Line: Rubber Split, Exposing Metal |
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Hard to tell from the photo but are you sure that's the brake fluid line and not the E-brake line?
There only rubber in the system are the rubber fluid lines to each wheel (one per wheel) and the dust boots etc. that are part of the wheel cylinders. _________________ '91 Westfalia GL Automatic (GTA "Turbo" Rebuild w/Peloquin) and 2.3L GoWesty Engine |
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?Waldo? Samba Member
Joined: February 22, 2006 Posts: 9752 Location: Where?
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Posted: Tue Jan 08, 2019 4:22 pm Post subject: Re: Rear Brake Line: Rubber Split, Exposing Metal |
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I think that's your e-brake cable. |
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boulderdrop Samba Member
Joined: February 06, 2008 Posts: 481 Location: Seattle, WA
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Posted: Tue Jan 08, 2019 4:32 pm Post subject: Re: Rear Brake Line: Rubber Split, Exposing Metal |
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Ah geez. Ok, thanks for the reset that this is probably the ebrake! I will spend more time looking at it after the rain stops. Thanks again! _________________ == My Rides ==
1984 Westy, Bostig, 3rd:1.14, Locker-LSD, Newly Painted
1980 24' J-Boat
1979 Sears Freespirit Moped
1996 Chev S10 4x4 ZR2
2012 Toyota Camry Hybrid (Wife's)
== How I Pay the Bills ==
Windows FTP Server at http://www.bpftpserver.com (PM for a FREE one) |
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SyncroButter Samba Member
Joined: February 02, 2016 Posts: 383 Location: Seattle
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Posted: Tue Jan 08, 2019 5:06 pm Post subject: Re: Rear Brake Line: Rubber Split, Exposing Metal |
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+1 to the posters above, definitely your e-brake cable.
But if you don't know if/when your soft brake lines were replaced you should replace those as a maintenance item! They run just above this, routed over the rear trailing arm (whereas your e-brake line goes underneath) and run about $100 for all four in stainless braid from your choice of the regular vendors, buy some actual flare wrenches (e.g. these for $15 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00EFL01AY) and some decent brake fluid and you can make a Saturday of it. _________________ Grant
In the stable: 1986 Syncro Westfalia/Bostig, 1989 Doka Tristar, 1974 Vespa Rally 200, 1973 Vespa Primavera 125, 1963 Solex 2200, 1938 Buick Special
Gone but not forgotten: 1989 Porsche 944, 1973 Standard Beetle |
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VicVan Samba Member
Joined: July 01, 2015 Posts: 1826 Location: Vancouver Island, BC
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Posted: Tue Jan 08, 2019 8:24 pm Post subject: Re: Rear Brake Line: Rubber Split, Exposing Metal |
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And if you still don't want to change your soft brake lines, at least flush your brake fluid. And then every 2 years. _________________ '90 Little Blue Truck, 2WD auto, FAS GenV 2.0 NA (AVH) |
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dobryan Samba Member
Joined: March 24, 2006 Posts: 16474 Location: Brookeville, MD
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Zeitgeist 13 Samba Member
Joined: March 05, 2009 Posts: 12103 Location: Port Manteau
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Posted: Mon Apr 29, 2019 9:30 am Post subject: Re: Rear Brake Line: Rubber Split, Exposing Metal |
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Since I'm too lazy to locate a better thread, I'll drop this here.
I'm servicing a friend's '84 ASI and thought it was a good time to preemptively replace all the soft brake lines, since they were originals. I found that no amount of heat or penetrant would free up the junction to the hard lines on the top of the rear LCAs, so I had to Dremel them into submission. I went to the local Napa store and it turns out that the following part # is a nearly perfect replacement for the LCA hard lines:
813-5477
Just be sure not to make your bends too generous, as they're a tight fit to get everything lined up perfectly. _________________ Casey--
'89 Bluestar ALH w/12mm Waldo pump, PP764 and GT2052
'01 Weekender --> full camper
y u rune klassik? |
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Vanagon Nut Samba Member
Joined: February 08, 2008 Posts: 10347 Location: Sunshine Coast B.C.
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Posted: Mon Apr 29, 2019 9:58 am Post subject: Re: Rear Brake Line: Rubber Split, Exposing Metal |
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Nice to have a FLAPS solution but IIRC, that rear brake line T was used in other VW's. Maybe the older Beetles? Might even be available from the likes of CIP
https://www2.cip1.com
Also, I found that FLAPS type hard lines from hose to cylinder fit as is in terms of length.
Neil.
I didn't end up using the electrical straps as shown. My notes show that I used a 20" metric line.
old and new lines "matched" up
_________________ 1981 Westy DIY 15º ABA
1988 West DIY 50º ABA
VE7TBN |
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Zeitgeist 13 Samba Member
Joined: March 05, 2009 Posts: 12103 Location: Port Manteau
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Posted: Mon Apr 29, 2019 10:04 am Post subject: Re: Rear Brake Line: Rubber Split, Exposing Metal |
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Mine were 20" as well, but I sure wish they'd of been more like 20.5" _________________ Casey--
'89 Bluestar ALH w/12mm Waldo pump, PP764 and GT2052
'01 Weekender --> full camper
y u rune klassik? |
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Vanagon Nut Samba Member
Joined: February 08, 2008 Posts: 10347 Location: Sunshine Coast B.C.
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Posted: Mon Apr 29, 2019 10:26 am Post subject: Re: Rear Brake Line: Rubber Split, Exposing Metal |
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Zeitgeist 13 wrote: |
Mine were 20" as well, but I sure wish they'd of been more like 20.5" |
Truth. I found the bend to cylinder tight. In hindsight I'd' bend that first then shape other end to rubber hose.
Neil. _________________ 1981 Westy DIY 15º ABA
1988 West DIY 50º ABA
VE7TBN |
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Abscate Samba Member
Joined: October 05, 2014 Posts: 22568 Location: NYC/Upstate/ROW
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Posted: Tue Apr 30, 2019 3:29 am Post subject: Re: Rear Brake Line: Rubber Split, Exposing Metal |
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If you loosen the wheel cylinder from the backing plate attaching a hard line is much easier _________________ .ssS! |
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Vanagon Nut Samba Member
Joined: February 08, 2008 Posts: 10347 Location: Sunshine Coast B.C.
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Posted: Tue Apr 30, 2019 8:48 am Post subject: Re: Rear Brake Line: Rubber Split, Exposing Metal |
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Abscate wrote: |
If you loosen the wheel cylinder from the backing plate attaching a hard line is much easier |
excellent tip. Thanks.
Ya, that brake line job was done early in my Vanagon "career". Still so much to learn....
I think it bears repeating but for those who don't know, the rears are responsible for more than just "30%" or whatever of braking power. Pedal feel for one.
Devils in the details.
Neil. _________________ 1981 Westy DIY 15º ABA
1988 West DIY 50º ABA
VE7TBN |
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Ahwahnee Samba Member
Joined: June 05, 2010 Posts: 9776 Location: Mt Lemmon, AZ
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Posted: Tue Apr 30, 2019 8:56 am Post subject: Re: Rear Brake Line: Rubber Split, Exposing Metal |
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Even O'Reilly's had that line when I did this the other day. Size was 4.7 mm x 50.8 cm.
Perfect match but you have to get the bends just right for it to reach (nothing extra there lengthwise). |
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Jeffrey Lee Samba Member
Joined: February 04, 2014 Posts: 1488 Location: Wisconsin
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Vanagon Nut Samba Member
Joined: February 08, 2008 Posts: 10347 Location: Sunshine Coast B.C.
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Posted: Tue Apr 30, 2019 11:03 am Post subject: Re: Rear Brake Line: Rubber Split, Exposing Metal |
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Early work. I'd wondered if the added length or rather, difference in length between line from T to pass side and driver side cylinders might affect hydraulics some how but i don't think it does.
_________________ 1981 Westy DIY 15º ABA
1988 West DIY 50º ABA
VE7TBN |
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dobryan Samba Member
Joined: March 24, 2006 Posts: 16474 Location: Brookeville, MD
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Vanagon Nut Samba Member
Joined: February 08, 2008 Posts: 10347 Location: Sunshine Coast B.C.
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Posted: Tue Apr 30, 2019 11:12 am Post subject: Re: Rear Brake Line: Rubber Split, Exposing Metal |
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dobryan wrote: |
Length will not affect hydraulics in a closed inflexible system. |
Good to know. Thanks. _________________ 1981 Westy DIY 15º ABA
1988 West DIY 50º ABA
VE7TBN |
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VdubVanner Samba Member
Joined: August 03, 2017 Posts: 734 Location: Cowtown AB
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Posted: Tue Apr 30, 2019 12:04 pm Post subject: Re: Rear Brake Line: Rubber Split, Exposing Metal |
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boulderdrop wrote: |
I was swapping out summer for winter tires, when I noticed this bulge on my brake-line, going to the rear drum, about 2" from the wheel:
It appears to be a split in the rubber, surrounding a metal line. I did some samba googling, and it appears I can just replace this section with flex-braided-steel lines from one of the vendors, bleed the brake and be on my way...
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Hmmmmm...kind of looks like this but in the earlier stages of disrepair:
Coincidentally, I dropped two e-brake cables off at my mechanic's shop this morning as a small part of the makeover on my van. |
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