2000 Silverado Rear Brake Supply Line Failed Today

[rjirvine]

Well, after reading about brake line failures, I had one today on my 2000 Silverado ECSB 4x4. The line from the ABS unit to the rear brakes sprung a pinhole leak about an inch from the rear bracket as I came up to a stop sign at a T intersection. The pedal went to the floor. Thankfully I wasn't going fast. I was able to limp it home. The whole line is rusted pretty bad.

 

I cut the line right above the fuel filter and pulled it out from the back to take to the store. If anyone is curious it's 1/4" and the fittings take a 9/16" wrench. I got a 25" roll of brake line for $20 at Autozone. I don't have time to order stainless etc. and figure this should last just fine.

 

The old line was one continuous piece and I think I'm going to have to bend the aft portion of the line and push it forward through the frame channel, then cut and flare the forward ABS end.

 

I have a double flare tool, a tube bender, and a tube cutter.

 

Any advice before I start installing it tomorrow?

 

The reservoir is about 2/3 full, so I shouldn't have to do any special bleeding for the ABU right?

 

I was thinking of just putting a union in where i cut it but figured I should do it right and make it one piece.

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Well, after reading about brake line failures, I had one today on my 2000 Silverado ECSB 4x4. The line from the ABS unit to the rear brakes sprung a pinhole leak about an inch from the rear bracket as I came up to a stop sign at a T intersection. The pedal went to the floor. Thankfully I wasn't going fast. I was able to limp it home. The whole line is rusted pretty bad.

 

I cut the line right above the fuel filter and pulled it out from the back to take to the store. If anyone is curious it's 1/4" and the fittings take a 9/16" wrench. I got a 25" roll of brake line for $20 at Autozone. I don't have time to order stainless etc. and figure this should last just fine.

 

The old line was one continuous piece and I think I'm going to have to bend the aft portion of the line and push it forward through the frame channel, then cut and flare the forward ABS end.

 

I have a double flare tool, a tube bender, and a tube cutter.

 

Any advice before I start installing it tomorrow?

 

The reservoir is about 2/3 full, so I shouldn't have to do any special bleeding for the ABU right?

 

I was thinking of just putting a union in where i cut it but figured I should do it right and make it one piece.

 

Yep, try to make it in as few pieces as possible. But, what's really surprising to me is I was just telling someone on this forum about possible brake line busting where he asked if this was a normal place for it to corrode. Just this morning, WEIRD!!

[98 Z71 SLT]

Suggestions...be as neat as possible, and just run a new line from the ABS unit to the rear axle...and be careful with bends

 

No, no special bleed procedure.

 

When you are totally done with the line, bleed pattern---

 

RIGHT REAR,,LEFT REAR,,RIGHT FRONT,,LEFT FRONT

[tunseeker1]

While you are doing the repair you might want to change all the fluid in the system.

[rjirvine]

Thanks, I replaced all the fluid about 13000 miles ago when I changed the front brakes. I'll do it again though, as long as I'm in there.

 

As far as the bends, there is a 180 degree out of the ABS unit and then some twisty ones near the aft bracket. I'm not sure if i need to do the joggle in the middle and all of the little ones. I'm thinking as long as it doesn't chafe anywhere it should be good. I haven't unrolled the coil yet so I'm not sure how easy it is to bend.

[rjirvine]

AAARRRGGHGHH!

 

I think I'm going to have to put a union in the line. I don't see an easy way to get the line off the the ABS unit without having to take all the lines off the front of the unit, and the nuts look pretty corroded, so I think I may let that sleeping dog lie. If I put in a union right above the fuel filter, I think it should be ok. I have the new line attached at the rear attach bracket and routed to near the ABS unit.