April 11, 200718 yr I just bought this 90 Loyale Wagon 4x4...and today...the brakes went out. In the rain...after work...I discovered brake fluid dripping out of what I would call the "sub frame assembly" on the passenger side rear...in front of the tire. I am assuming that the steel line must run through that assembly and has likely rusted or broken somehow...although I could not feel the line all the way through...nor locate the exact location of the leak. Any suggestions? Is there a place to source the pre-formed replacement lines? Or....will I need to make my own lines from a stock parts store line? (which never have the right fittings... :-\ )
April 11, 200718 yr Any suggestions? Is there a place to source the pre-formed replacement lines? Or....will I need to make my own lines from a stock parts store line? (which never have the right fittings... :-\ ) I don't remember having trouble finding generic metric brake lines in typical parts stores... But I also have a bunch of lines removed from dissasembled EA82s.. I save the long ones that are run inside the car as they are usually good as new. -- So I may not have had to buy any for quite a while... Just bring an old one with you to match the thread pitch & diameter.
April 12, 200718 yr Author I found the leak...in the worst possible location...of course.... :-\ It's been suggested....though I've never done this....that I temporarily patch the leak with JB Weld...anyone ever done this? (emphasis on temporary...just until I can get a replacement line)
April 12, 200718 yr I wouldn't......again :-\ epoxies don't hold up to well to the pressure. BUT, for a *temporary* solution, you can use a piece of small rubber line (like one of the larger vacuum lines), slit it lengthwise so you cal slide it over the line, coat the inside with a little epoxy of your choice, and use a few hose clamps to put some pressure on it. you probably won't get a perfect seal under full brake pressure, but it'll help until you can get it replaced right.
April 12, 200718 yr BUT, for a *temporary* solution, you can use a piece of small rubber line (like one of the larger vacuum lines), slit it lengthwise so you cal slide it over the line, coat the inside with a little epoxy of your choice, and use a few hose clamps to put some pressure on it. you probably won't get a perfect seal under full brake pressure, but it'll help until you can get it replaced right. Good "Alley call"... Not sure about the community you're in, but there's always someone around that'll fabricate lines for ya. Usually, a local "professional" (Carquest, NAPA, etc) parts store, or hot rod shop. This is the permanent solution to your problem, and it's well worth the effort to make a connection with this source. Just take your old one in, and have them match it. Worst case is that you'll have to bend it yourself. It's not that bad. Just buy a universal line and use a couple of vise grips and/or bench vise to get the right angles. Whatever you do, make sure you follow up on a permanent solution for the leak. Hydraulics is not a system you want to neglect on these cars. good luck, John
April 13, 200718 yr Just crimp the failed hard line with a pair of pliers. Bleed whichever circuit doesn't have the hole and you will still have brakes to one front and one rear - that's the easiest temp fix. And if you are stuck in the boonies fill the system with water or motor oil. It will work for a bit if you go slow and stop to let it cool. GD
April 13, 200718 yr Author Just crimp the failed hard line with a pair of pliers. Bleed whichever circuit doesn't have the hole and you will still have brakes to one front and one rear - that's the easiest temp fix. And if you are stuck in the boonies fill the system with water or motor oil. It will work for a bit if you go slow and stop to let it cool. GD That's the thing...no matter how I tried to crimp it, it kept leaking....:-\
April 13, 200718 yr You crimp, and then bend it over on itself, and crimp again - like when your garden hose kinks. GD
April 14, 200718 yr Author You crimp, and then bend it over on itself, and crimp again - like when your garden hose kinks. GD Exactly what I did. I'm not sure what was going wrong, but I could not stem the flow (dripping really) of the fluid. So...the weld seems to be holding, but now I seem to have another problem with the brakes. I started a new thread on that topic.
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