An illuminated brake warning light and unresponsive brakes could mean you’re low on fluid. But if you recently got a refill, a brake line leak may be the problem — one that needs immediate attention.
Although a brake line repair is possible in some situations, a complete replacement guarantees your safety in the long run.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through each process so you can weigh your options, explore potential costs, and learn how to extend its lifespan.
Let’s begin!
This Article Contains:
- How to Perform a Brake Line Repair: A General Know-How
- How to Replace a Brake Line Step-by-Step
- 6 Critical Signs You Need a New Brake Line
- What to Do If Your Brake Line Breaks While Driving
- How Much Does a Brake Line Replacement Cost?
- 4 FAQs about Brake Lines
How to Perform a Brake Line Repair: A General Know-How
If your brake line (brake pipe) needs repair, you can:
- Use a compression fitting: This mechanical fitting helps connect two sections of the brake line and aids fluid flow. To use it:
- Cut the damaged section of the line.
- Deburr the edges (remove the sharp edges or uneven surfaces on the line).
- Slide the compression fitting onto one end of the line.
- Connect the fitting to the other line section and tighten it with a wrench.
- Consider purchasing a brake line repair kit: Some repair kits include brake tape or quick-connect fittings to prevent the brake line from failing. The installation guide can help you use the kits effectively in your car.
BEWARE: The steps mentioned above are temporary DIY fixes for emergencies only. They may get you to the nearest garage, but if you delay the repair, these fixes will fail, putting you at risk of a brake failure. So it would be best to visit a repair shop or call a mechanic for a replacement immediately.
Wondering how a mechanic will change the cracked brake line?
Let’s have a look.
How to Replace a Brake Line Step-by-Step
Since most cars have around four lines, a thorough brake inspection is necessary to determine the faulty pipe. For an error-free replacement, call a skilled mechanic to handle it.
Here are the steps they’ll follow:
Step 1: Prep for Replacement
The mechanic will park your vehicle on a flat surface and engage the parking brake.
If they work on rear brakes, they’ll chock the front wheels and vice versa. They’ll loosen the lug nuts on the wheel and raise the vehicle using jack stands. Once the vehicle is secure, they’ll remove the associated wheel.
Step 2: Locate the Damaged Brake Line
Now, they’ll open your car’s hood and look for the master cylinder near the firewall on the driver’s side. They’ll trace the broken rubber or metal hard line using the master cylinder.
NOTE: If your car has drum brakes, the mechanic will remove components like brake shoes and springs. This will give them access to the damaged brake line, which connects to the wheel cylinder via a flexible rubber hose.
Step 3: Loosen and Disconnect the Brake Line
Next, they’ll apply penetrating oil to the flare nuts on both ends of the brake line and let it soak. Penetrating oil is a low-viscosity fluid that helps remove nuts and bolts easily.
Then, they’ll use a flare nut wrench to unscrew the nuts and remove the old brake line.
Fluid leaks may occur during this step, so the mechanic will place a drain pan to collect the liquid.
Step 4: Install the New Line
The mechanic will use the old brake line as a reference to bend the new one for a perfect fit.
Some brake lines have flared ends, while others don’t. If necessary, they’ll flare the ends before installing the new line. This involves using a specialized tool to shape the brake line ends to create a secure, leak-proof seal.
Then, they’ll use a flare nut wrench to reinstall the fittings and fix the new line.
Step 5: Refill the Brake Fluid Reservoir
After the installation, the mechanic will add compatible brake fluid to the reservoir up to the recommended level.
Step 6: Bleed the Brakes
The mechanic will use a brake bleeder kit to remove air from the system. Air bubbles can impact the hydraulic pressure and dampen braking performance, so this step is crucial.
Step 7: Reinstall the Components
Now, the mechanic will reattach the parts, such as the wheels and lug nuts, and tighten them according to the torque specs.
In the case of drum brakes, the mechanic will reattach the brake shoes, drum, and springs before reinstalling the wheel.
Step 8: Lower the Vehicle and Test Drive
They’ll lower the vehicle and press the brake pedal a few times to ensure it’s firm. Then, they’ll check for leaks and top up the brake fluid reservoir again if necessary.
Finally, they’ll drive the car to verify whether the brakes work.
Now that you know how to change brake lines, let’s discover when you should opt for this service.
6 Critical Signs You Need a New Brake Line
A few symptoms indicating a damaged brake pipe include:
- Reduced braking power: When the line cracks, hydraulic pressure loss affects the braking efficiency. This reduced power gradually prevents you from controlling your car’s speed and increases the stopping distance.
- An active brake warning light: Normally, the dashboard light turns on when there’s low fluid or an engaged parking brake. However, if low fluid is the cause, it may indicate a leak in the brake line, hose, or master cylinder, requiring an inspection.
- Brake fluid leakage: A puddle of yellow or brown liquid near the front or rear brakes, is a clear sign of a fluid leak in the system. The leak is often a result of a cracked, rusted brake line or hose that fails to deliver the fluid to the caliper or wheel cylinder.
- Visible physical damage or corrosion: A metal brake line can accumulate rust if your car sits unused for long periods or due to road salt exposure in snowy environments.
- The brake pedal feels spongy: Frequent hard braking or rust accumulation can damage your brake caliper, rotor, and line, causing fluid leaks. Without ample fluid, the system can’t create the necessary hydraulic pressure, and the brake pedal will feel spongy or sink to the floor whenever you press it.
- A vehicle pulling to one side: A damaged or rusted brake line can cause the system to lose fluid and pressure. The lack of pressure results in uneven braking performance, making your car pull to one side.
NOTE: Worn brake pads, rotors, and calipers can cause similar problems. Always get a professional to determine the culprit before getting a replacement.
If you still want to drive despite the warning signs, there are ways to stay safe in case the rubber or steel line fails.
What to Do If Your Brake Line Breaks While Driving
When the brake pipe fails, stop driving and pull over to the nearest safe spot. Then, call roadside assistance or a towing service. To pull over safely, here’s what you can do:
- Press the brake pedal continuously: Pushing the brakes repeatedly will help build pressure in the lines, giving the car enough braking power to slow down and halt.
- Engage the parking brake: You can also use the parking brake to slow down and stop the car. This brake isn’t usually meant to stop a moving car, as it’s designed to prevent a stationary vehicle from rolling. However, in an emergency, you can engage it to gradually reduce speed and halt the car at the closest parking spot.
As you can see, you can’t delay the brake line replacement any longer, so let’s explore your potential costs for the service quickly.
How Much Does a Brake Line Replacement Cost?
A brake line replacement costs roughly $420 to $2,800 for all four lines. Your final cost depends on:
- Line material: Brake lines are made of rubber, steel, or copper-nickel. Long-lasting materials like copper-nickel are costlier than other variants.
- Repair complexity: The replacement involves removing the wheel, fittings, and other parts, which requires extensive labor and may take up to two hours, increasing your overall costs.
- The number of lines: Most cars have around four lines. Replacing more than one will increase your expenses.
Want to know more about brake lines?
Keep scrolling!
4 FAQs about Brake Lines
Here are some commonly asked questions on brake lines that you should check out:
1. Are a Brake Line and Brake Hose the Same Thing?
Though brake lines and hoses carry fluid, they’re different components. Let’s take a look to understand how they differ:
- Brake line: Typically made of copper-nickel alloy, braided stainless steel, or rubber, these lines carry hydraulic fluid from the master cylinder to the brake hose.
- Brake hose: This pipe is a flexible rubber hose that connects the line to the brake caliper or wheel cylinder. Its flexibility helps it move with the suspension, ensuring consistent fluid transfer when you drive.
2. How Long Do Brake Lines Last?
Based on their material and the ability to withstand external factors, here’s how long some brake line types last:
- Rubber brake line: up to 6 years
- Stainless steel brake line: 8 to 15 years
- Copper-nickel brake line: 12+ years
3. What Causes Brake Line Failure?
A brake line may crack due to:
- Natural wear and tear: Brake lines, like most car components, will wear over time the more you drive your vehicle.
- Corrosion: Road salt in snowy regions can corrode a steel or metal brake line. Once it corrodes, a replacement is imperative.
- Physical impact: Uneven surfaces, potholes, or speed bumps can severely crack or deform the rubber or metal hard line, requiring an urgent repair.
- Low-quality material: Poor-quality steel or rubber lines may be unable to handle the hydraulic pressure of the brake system and could wear out quickly.
4. How to Prolong the Lifespan of Your Brake Lines
Your brake lines will last long if you:
- Install a high-quality copper-nickel or steel brake line.
- Avoid hard braking and aggressive driving to delay premature wear of components like brake rotors and lines.
- Don’t carry heavy loads often, as it can strain the brake system while slowing or stopping your vehicle.
- Drive carefully over rough terrain or uneven surfaces to prevent physical damage to the lines.
- Get a brake inspection once or twice yearly to identify worn lines, pads, and rotors, quickly.
- Schedule a brake fluid flush every two years or 30,000 miles to prevent contaminated fluid from damaging the brake lines.
Put a Stop to Braking Issues with AutoNation Mobile Service
Every component in your braking system, including lines, plays a crucial role in keeping you and your passengers safe. So if your brake lines have a problem, don’t delay fixing them. This isn’t the kind of technical issue that can wait another day.
Luckily, replacing your brake lines with AutoNation Mobile Service has never been easier!
Our mobile mechanics can install new lines right from your driveway.
What’s more?
You get simple online bookings, upfront pricing, and a 12-month, 12,000-mile warranty on the replacement.
Get in touch today to keep your brakes functioning smoothly.