brake lines burst

rjgogo · September 1, 2012

I was backing up getting ready to lower my boat in the water when the brake pedal went to the floor and I was not stopping. Hit the parking brake and got it stopped and went to investigate.

Looked under the truck and brake fluid was pouring out on both sides of the truck at the frame rails at basically the same spot. Both side went out at the same time.

What I can't figure out is why both sides went at exactly the same time. I had no issues on my way to the ramp and no issues prior. Just this catistophic failure all at once. I am surprised that there is a line on each side of the truck back to the rear brakes. I have not had time to start pulling it apart as there are other components blocking the view.

Anyone have any ideas?

2003 3/4 ton suburban with quadrasteer

Coolmaker · September 1, 2012

The factory rubber hoses get old and swell. Replace them with Stainless steel and that will never happen again..

brainpause · September 1, 2012

Strange. Anybody out to get ya?

ruggedlife · September 1, 2012

did you piss off the old lady ? or did someone just take out a sweet life insurance policy on ya?!

Doug_Scott · September 1, 2012

Was it the steel line that failed? You may find that one side had been leaking for a while, and the other side just went now. If there are two lines to the back wheels then you likely have a X type brake system. RF and LR on one half the master, and LF - RR on the other half. Having both sides fail is a total brake failure.

If they are the steel lines leaking, did they rust out?

rjgogo · September 2, 2012

I got under there today and what a mess, there are 4 lines under the drivers side two go from the engine bay to the controller under the drivers seat and then 2 come back to the front. I have not followed the ones to the back beacause i realized that I need to order all new lines and no sense spending anymore time on it today.

What a poor design. all of the lines are rotten and really rusted. They used plain steel and it is in a place that traps moisture and salt so they just rusted out in less than 10 years. This is a really dangerous design.

Buying a new stainless set.

4x4Sierra · September 2, 2012

I had to replace all of the steel lines in my 2000 last fall. They were completely rotted out I replaced them with coated lines. Didn't bother going stainless because I figured at most I would only have the truck for another 3 year.

Doug_Scott · September 2, 2012

Buying a new stainless set.

There are some types of stainless that will rust/corrode. Not entirely sure if checking the stainless with a magnet is how to tell if it is the type that will rust, but it sounds like that method would work. Stainless that is magnetic does not contain nickel and may contain ferrous metals

rjgogo · September 4, 2012

I can't seem to find a kit that has the pre bent lines. I called Classic Tube and they only have 2002.

any other sources?

Volucris · September 4, 2012

It is the amount of Cr in stainless that determines how corrosion resistant it will be. The Cr forms a Chromium Dioxide layer on the surface, which then protects it from further corrosion. For brake lines, AISI 316 is probably used, which is excellent for most environments. AISI 304 would be OK as well. 431 coud also be used, it is stronger than 316, but not as corrosion resistant. Although it might be too brittle to draw into tubes.

All stainless steel is ferrous (i.e. contains iron). It is not the amount of iron that determines if it is magentic, it is the crystal structure; ferritic (weakly magentic), martensitic (strongly magnetic), or austenic (non magnetic)

GMAnimal · September 4, 2012

That really sucks. I sure am glad I am not in a place where rust is a problem.

KG14 · September 5, 2012

your lucky it was on a boat ramp

trying driving down the road and loosing your brakes and not having a parking brake

sure the cars 15 years old but just that feeling

still not sure how I stopped and coasted into a parking lot.

Debo511 · September 5, 2012

Other manufacturers have used coated brake lines and they get moisture between the line and coating and rust through. Not any better in my opinion. If the vehicle is driven in dirt or in states that use salt in the winter the brake lines tend to rot out, Normal thing here in Michigan.

Good thing the park brake worked or the truck woul have taken a bath.

brainpause · September 6, 2012

Other manufacturers have used coated brake lines and they get moisture between the line and coating and rust through. Not any better in my opinion. If the vehicle is driven in dirt or in states that use salt in the winter the brake lines tend to rot out, Normal thing here in Michigan.

Good thing the park brake worked or the truck woul have taken a bath.

That's not all. His insurance and wallet would have taken a bath too.

rdnkcpa · September 6, 2012

My sister-in-law has a 2004 2500 4X4 and it had a brake line burst over the weekend as well. She was pulling a horse trailer with her horse in it, when she got to her destination she applied the brake and the pedal when to the floor.

I'm beginning to wonder if this is a recallable type issue. I know the brake lines up near the master cylinder on my truck look pretty bad.