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Topic: Replacing Brake Lines

in Forum: C3 Engines, Driveline and Handling


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Replacing Brake Lines

Posted: 3/5/08 9:34am Message 1 of 6
ksearles
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Joined: 7/24/2006
Posts: 48
In the process of bleeding the brakes on my 69, it's apparent that little or no fluid or air is getting from the master cylinder to the back brakes.
 
Looks like the main brake line to the back is pretty rusty and needs replaced. Does this mean the body has to be raised off the frame to replace the line? Seems I read that somewhere. It looks like the line could be snaked through the frame, but if someone has already been through this ordeal and knows for sure, I'd appreciate knowing before I undertake this.
 
Thanks in advance.



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Replacing Brake Lines

Posted: 3/5/08 11:50am Message 2 of 6
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Adams' Apple
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Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20225
Vette(s): #1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/ Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight" #2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas
Replacing the steel line from the front to the rear is best done with the body off, tho it can be done other ways, if you're not concerned with being "correct".
The line actually passes thru the frame at the rear, and also thru the center(trans) crossmember, I think.
You can snake the line around these obstacles if you need to, but they were installed like this to start with for the extra protection from road debris.
I've heard of some folks using several sections of brake line to do this, with flared connections tying it all together. They say this works just fine, but it sure makes my pooter pucker up just thinkin about one of those connections springin a leak goin down the road...


Joel Adams
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Replacing Brake Lines

Posted: 3/5/08 6:06pm Message 3 of 6
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Redwingvette
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Waterford, MI - USA
Joined: 9/13/2002
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Vette(s): 1973 Red coupe

Pulling the body is the only way to do it corectly but you can do it without if you do not care about how it looks and just want it to be safe. The PO did it to my car but i did it right when I pulled the body becasue it needed a lot more work to make it safe.




Brian - NCM Lifetime Member

73 coupe L48, Flat-top pistons, Performer RPM Heads, Crane Cam and roller rockers, Holley 650 vac sec. Performer intake,
3.55 gear BTO 200-4R trans,
Leather seats, Seatbelt Plus 3point seatbelts, Pioneer CD player
Magnaflow Exhuast System

Dewitt radiator and dual electric fans
Borgeson Steering box
 


Replacing Brake Lines

Posted: 3/10/08 7:32am Message 4 of 6
CFL34
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NEWARK, DE - USA
Joined: 7/29/2003
Posts: 52
Vette(s): 1972 CORVETTE CLASSIC WHITE BLACK DELUXE LEATHER 1975 CORVETTE CONVERTIBLE W/ HARDTOP IN STEEL BLUE-SILVER LEATHER INTERIOR
i just got the old ones off yesterday from my 75 convertible replaced the whole set in the process of puting the new ones on today along with new calipers,rotors& m/c basically a whole new braking system but to answer your question YES it can be done with a whole lot of patience the one line that runs the frame rail is the problem a good variety of wrenches helps a boxed end offset wrench is what i got the one off with by #3 body mount you only have about 1" to 1 1/2" of space to work with but the rest aren't too bad take your time   good luck getting that line out of the proportioning valve had to cut a few of mine to get them free


Replacing Brake Lines

Posted: 3/10/08 8:21am Message 5 of 6
Ron 78
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BINGHAMTON, NY - USA
Joined: 7/19/2003
Posts: 3808
Vette(s): ......
I did all mine with the body on too,the front end was a piece-o-cake,the back half was a pita.do yourself a favor,get the brass elbows that t-off and connect to the rubber brake hoses,I messed up the left one and couldn't find one locally so had to order it,got them both at the same time,the car was down for a week and a half waiting for partsAngry.I didn't have any problem with the proportioning valve,it looked like it was gonna be a pita from the git-go ,so I soaked it for a couple of days with P.B.Blaster ,it came apart easily,and yes a set of line wrenches is a God Send,wouldn't be with out themBig%20smile If-n youve gotta replace one you "may as well" do em all and be done with it,and the rubber hoses too,they can look great from the out side but be rotten and gummed up inside,and plug up,I'm speakin from experiance Dead,I know a lot of other guys in here have had the same problem,get-er-done LOLRon 782008-03-10 08:28:38


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Replacing Brake Lines

Posted: 3/10/08 8:40am Message 6 of 6
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Redwingvette
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Waterford, MI - USA
Joined: 9/13/2002
Posts: 1755
Vette(s): 1973 Red coupe
I have the three rear lines if anybody is interested. The two caliper lines and the main rear crossover line. They are new, never installed. I bought the whole kit and once i got into I found that the PO had already replaced them so I didn't have to.


Brian - NCM Lifetime Member

73 coupe L48, Flat-top pistons, Performer RPM Heads, Crane Cam and roller rockers, Holley 650 vac sec. Performer intake,
3.55 gear BTO 200-4R trans,
Leather seats, Seatbelt Plus 3point seatbelts, Pioneer CD player
Magnaflow Exhuast System

Dewitt radiator and dual electric fans
Borgeson Steering box
 


in Forum: C3 Engines, Driveline and Handling


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