Do-it-yourself brake pipe replacement

2024 Author: Erin Ralphs | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-19 11:42

Fluid leakage, as well as depressurization of the brake system, is often provoked by old rotten or damaged brake lines. These are very important elements. Through these lines, fluid from the reservoir is supplied to the brake mechanisms of all four wheels. If any tube has become unusable, then it is better to replace it completely, if possible. Let's see how a brake pipe is replaced on most vehicles.

Device, principle of operation

So, the driver stops the car by pressing the brake pedal. The latter acts on the brake booster, and that on the GTZ, which compresses the fluid in the lines.

Under the action of the GTZ force, the liquid is compressed and passes into a zone with a minimum pressure. These are pipes, and then - working mechanisms. Brake fluid presses on the actuator, and the caliper compresses the pads. When the pressureon the pedal is weakened, the pressure in the brake booster decreases. The springs in the mechanism open the pads. The liquid moves back to the expansion tank - to the area where the pressure is minimal.

The movement of the brake fluid is carried out through copper tubes. The latter are connected to the main brake cylinder and are laid along the bottom of the car to the brake mechanisms. The connections of the tubes with the mechanisms and with the GTZ are made in the form of a thread - this is how maximum reliability is achieved. After all, the pressure in the line can be quite high.

To increase the reliability of the systems, the tubes are connected diagonally to the GTZ. This makes it possible to use the brake when the latter fails. For example, from the GTZ, one of the tubes connects the front left brake mechanism and the rear right one. Another tube directs fluid to the front right and rear left wheels. To ensure that the pressure in the system does not exceed the allowable one, a pressure regulator is installed at the places where all the pipes are connected. In the common people, he is called a "sorcerer".

Signs for replacement

Anyone, even an inexperienced motorist, will be able to independently and effortlessly determine whether it is worth changing the brake lines. Usually a complete replacement is necessary if fluid is leaking from the system, if the drums have been overheated. It is also advisable to replace the tube if the pedal free play or braking distance has increased. Replacing the brake tube is also recommended if the pads have uneven wear. This means that they work under different pressures.

Causes of tube failure

As a rule, on most cars, the brake line becomes unusable due to corrosion. Quite often, cracks form on old tubes. Brake fluid then slowly leaks out of these cracks. The tubes are made of copper and, it would seem, should not corrode, but this is not so. Corrosion eats up highways, and you also need to add the negative effects of the external environment here. The environment has a particularly negative effect on the metal of the pipes in winter, when utilities spray roads with caustic chemicals.

Also, one of the reasons for the failure is poor mounting of the line on the body. Often the highway is fixed to the bottom of the car and is not protected by anything. In winter, the bottom of the car can cling to various obstacles and as a result, the tube cracks or breaks. Also, if the element is constantly moving along with the body, then over time, at the place where the line bends, a kink is obtained. The part is easily damaged.

How is the replacement done?

The process of replacing the brake pipe will require the car owner to have the skills and abilities of plumbing. You will have to use a traditional and special tool. Tube repair is performed when it is not possible to replace the line with a new one.

To replace, the tube is unscrewed from the brake cylinder, and the reverse end is unscrewed from the brake master cylinder. Then a new product is purchased. The tube can be purchased from auto parts stores, but it's important to remember the thread pitch. For foreign cars, this is a 10-step thread1. Such a spare part already has two nuts and is flared. The length of the tubes on sale may be different, and it must be selected according to the car. So, on some car models, the part can be laid with a margin, while on the other model there is no such margin. Replacing a brake pipe involves unscrewing the old one and screwing in the new one.

How to change front tubes?

To work, you will need a special key. It is a tool with a bolt for tightening. The key resembles a cap, but you do not need to purchase a cheap product in stores. Such wrenches are made of soft alloys that do not withstand heavy loads. The nut on the tube is made of steel - the key breaks easily, and the edges on the nut are licked off. Then unscrewing and twisting such a part can be a big problem. The nuts are tight enough and you can water them with WD-40, but you should not heat them. When heated, the brake fluid boils, due to the high pressure in the system, it can break the hoses, especially if they are old.

Instructions

This is how the brake pipes are replaced on the VAZ 2110. The first step is to remove the wheel from the side where the pipe will be changed. Then you need to find the brake hose. It is connected at one end to the caliper, and at the other end to the tube. Carefully unscrew the nut on the tube with a special wrench, holding the hose with another wrench. The other end of the tube is connected to the GTZ. In the same way, unscrew the tube nut from the brake cylinder.

Then to the site of the old highwaya new one is screwed on. First, tightly wrap the tube to the GTZ, and then to the brake hose on the caliper. Before connecting the line to the system, the tube must be laid along the body as it was installed. On this, the replacement of the brake tube 2110 can be considered completed. But since the system has been depressurized for some time, the brakes should be bled. It is not necessary to bleed the brakes completely. This is done only where there was a replacement. Remember that the tubes are connected diagonally.

For example, if there was a replacement of the right brake pipe in the front, then you should start bleeding the system from the rear left wheel and vice versa if the left front pipe was changed.

Back

There is nothing complicated here, except that the line is longer and it is connected as follows - the longer part of the tube is connected to the GTZ and screwed to the "sorcerer". Then, with a short tube, the "sorcerer" is connected to the brake mechanism on the wheel.

Replacing the rear brake pipe is as follows. If there is a flyover or a pit, then you do not need to remove the wheel. First, a liquid key is applied to all threaded connections, then you should wait a bit. After that, with a Phillips screwdriver or other suitable tool, unscrew the screws that fix the tubes to the car body. After that, with a suitable key, unscrew the two fittings that attach the tube to the brake hose and to the regulator. The element is removed, and a new one is installed in its place. If a long line to the "sorcerer" is damaged, then the actionssimilar, only unscrew the fitting from the GTZ and from the regulator.

After the replacement, you must not forget to add brake fluid to the expansion tank to the required level and be sure to bleed the system, as it has taken in air, and the braking process will be ineffective. If the front brake pipes were replaced on the left, then there is no need to bleed another line.

Are there any features of replacement on foreign cars?

Most budget and expensive foreign cars have a standard brake system. Therefore, if necessary, the lines can be changed here with your own hands. Replacing brake pipes on a Nissan is no different from the same operation on a VAZ.

Conclusion

The brake system is a very important part of any car. It is necessary to regularly monitor the condition of the tubes and the level of the working fluid in the tank. Do not hesitate to replace the lines if they are damaged. A good brake system is essential for your safety.