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Rear Brake Line: Rubber Split, Exposing Metal
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boulderdrop
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PostPosted: Tue Jan 08, 2019 4:13 pm    Post subject: Rear Brake Line: Rubber Split, Exposing Metal Reply with quote

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:

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.


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]
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SCM
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PostPosted: Tue Jan 08, 2019 4:22 pm    Post subject: Re: Rear Brake Line: Rubber Split, Exposing Metal Reply with quote

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.
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?Waldo?
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PostPosted: Tue Jan 08, 2019 4:22 pm    Post subject: Re: Rear Brake Line: Rubber Split, Exposing Metal Reply with quote

I think that's your e-brake cable.
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boulderdrop
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PostPosted: Tue Jan 08, 2019 4:32 pm    Post subject: Re: Rear Brake Line: Rubber Split, Exposing Metal Reply with quote

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!
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== 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)

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SyncroButter
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PostPosted: Tue Jan 08, 2019 5:06 pm    Post subject: Re: Rear Brake Line: Rubber Split, Exposing Metal Reply with quote

+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.
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VicVan
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PostPosted: Tue Jan 08, 2019 8:24 pm    Post subject: Re: Rear Brake Line: Rubber Split, Exposing Metal Reply with quote

And if you still don't want to change your soft brake lines, at least flush your brake fluid. And then every 2 years.
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dobryan
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PostPosted: Tue Jan 08, 2019 8:34 pm    Post subject: Re: Rear Brake Line: Rubber Split, Exposing Metal Reply with quote

As a temp repair you can put some lubricant in the open area and wrap with silicone rescue tape. That could last quite a long time.
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Zeitgeist 13
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PostPosted: Mon Apr 29, 2019 9:30 am    Post subject: Re: Rear Brake Line: Rubber Split, Exposing Metal Reply with quote

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.
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Vanagon Nut
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PostPosted: Mon Apr 29, 2019 9:58 am    Post subject: Re: Rear Brake Line: Rubber Split, Exposing Metal Reply with quote

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.

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.


old and new lines "matched" up

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

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Zeitgeist 13
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PostPosted: Mon Apr 29, 2019 10:04 am    Post subject: Re: Rear Brake Line: Rubber Split, Exposing Metal Reply with quote

Mine were 20" as well, but I sure wish they'd of been more like 20.5"
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Vanagon Nut
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PostPosted: Mon Apr 29, 2019 10:26 am    Post subject: Re: Rear Brake Line: Rubber Split, Exposing Metal Reply with quote

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.
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Abscate Premium Member
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PostPosted: Tue Apr 30, 2019 3:29 am    Post subject: Re: Rear Brake Line: Rubber Split, Exposing Metal Reply with quote

If you loosen the wheel cylinder from the backing plate attaching a hard line is much easier
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Vanagon Nut
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PostPosted: Tue Apr 30, 2019 8:48 am    Post subject: Re: Rear Brake Line: Rubber Split, Exposing Metal Reply with quote

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.... Wink

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.
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Ahwahnee
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PostPosted: Tue Apr 30, 2019 8:56 am    Post subject: Re: Rear Brake Line: Rubber Split, Exposing Metal Reply with quote

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
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PostPosted: Tue Apr 30, 2019 9:36 am    Post subject: Re: Rear Brake Line: Rubber Split, Exposing Metal Reply with quote

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.


If your FLAPS only has generic brake lines that are a little too long, you can add a loop to eliminate as much excess as needed.

https://campwestfalia.com/making-custom-rigid-hydraulic-brake-lines/
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Vanagon Nut
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PostPosted: Tue Apr 30, 2019 11:03 am    Post subject: Re: Rear Brake Line: Rubber Split, Exposing Metal Reply with quote

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.

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

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dobryan
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PostPosted: Tue Apr 30, 2019 11:05 am    Post subject: Re: Rear Brake Line: Rubber Split, Exposing Metal Reply with quote

Length will not affect hydraulics in a closed inflexible system.
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'87 Westy w/ 2002 Subaru EJ25 and Peloquin TBD

"To travel hopefully is a better thing than to arrive." Robert Louis Stevenson

MD>Canada>AK>WA>OR>CA>AZ>UT>WY>SD
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=620646

Building a bus for travel in Europe (euroBus)
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=695371

The Western Syncro build
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=746794
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Vanagon Nut
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PostPosted: Tue Apr 30, 2019 11:12 am    Post subject: Re: Rear Brake Line: Rubber Split, Exposing Metal Reply with quote

dobryan wrote:
Length will not affect hydraulics in a closed inflexible system.


Good to know. Thanks.
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VdubVanner
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PostPosted: Tue Apr 30, 2019 12:04 pm    Post subject: Re: Rear Brake Line: Rubber Split, Exposing Metal Reply with quote

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:

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.


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...


Hmmmmm...kind of looks like this but in the earlier stages of disrepair:

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.


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. Wink
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