Brake system question.

"CalzoneGolem" (calzonegolem) 03/26/2015 at 11:40 • Filed to: None

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It is time I disconnected my rear axle entirely from my truck. This will mean disconnecting the brake lines which I've never done in a car before. Will I need to drain the system first? How do I protect the system from crap getting into it from being exposed?

As Du Volant > CalzoneGolem 03/26/2015 at 11:45

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No worries, as the fluid flows OUT of those lines, not in. Don't worry about draining it first. When you bleed the brakes after reinstalling the rear axle any little pieces of dust or grit that could have landed in the end of the brake lines will be pushed out with the fluid.

Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. > CalzoneGolem 03/26/2015 at 11:45

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When I did brake line I just disconnected one and drained it from there. Keep a tray nearby because more fluid will come out of the other lines. Didn't really do anything to protect them since we were swapping them straight out with new ones. Then just topped up with fluid and bled them.

Party-vi > CalzoneGolem 03/26/2015 at 11:45

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Depending on how your lines are ran, you will probably end up draining the rear brake lines and might just empty out your brake fluid reservoir. No big deal. You'd have to bleed your brakes after you get everything put back together anyway so this really isn't a problem. You can usually dry off the fitting at the end of the line and cover it with painters tape or something similar to keep the end from getting messed up. Don't forget to disconnect your parking brake line(s) as well.

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > CalzoneGolem 03/26/2015 at 11:47

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Once it's been taken loose, you can keep dust/grit out of it with aluminum foil. That should also to a degree reduce its draining itself out.

crowmolly > CalzoneGolem 03/26/2015 at 11:50

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How old is the truck?

If it's more than, say, 8-10 years old be prepared for some resistance from the tube nut(s). Use penetrating oil.

CalzoneGolem > Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. 03/26/2015 at 11:51

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Yeah I imagine this will be off for awhile.

CalzoneGolem > crowmolly 03/26/2015 at 11:52

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I fully anticipate to break everything I take about on this truck.

Brian, The Life of > CalzoneGolem 03/26/2015 at 11:52

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In addition to Party's great advice, I always alternate brake fluid color when doing brakework so that when I bleed the system it is super obvious when to stop ;)

Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. > CalzoneGolem 03/26/2015 at 11:53

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Maybe plug the ends of the lines remaining on the truck and refill them with fluid to protect them.

CalzoneGolem > Brian, The Life of 03/26/2015 at 11:53

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That's pretty clever.

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > crowmolly 03/26/2015 at 11:55

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Rovers are a real prize with that. Any Series in the US is automatically going to be 42+ years old unless imported, and the wheel cylinders are aluminum. Oh, and the nuts have a relief tip on them like metric ones, but are inch.

Brian, The Life of > CalzoneGolem 03/26/2015 at 11:59

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Age and the accompanying acquired wisdom is sometimes handy.

CalzoneGolem > Brian, The Life of 03/26/2015 at 11:59

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Translation: I fucked up a lot of things

Brian, The Life of > CalzoneGolem 03/26/2015 at 12:02

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So very true ...

MasterMario - Keeper of the V8s > CalzoneGolem 03/26/2015 at 12:05

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if it's going ot be off a while, i've seen mechanics throw a ziploc bag over the ends of open tubes and such and zip tie it shut to keep things clean

CalzoneGolem > MasterMario - Keeper of the V8s 03/26/2015 at 12:06

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Sounds reasonable.

bob and john > CalzoneGolem 03/26/2015 at 12:07

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you can get a set of pliers and pinch the rubber together at each end if you want.

MasterMario - Keeper of the V8s > CalzoneGolem 03/26/2015 at 12:11

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bonus is that it will also keep any more fluid still in the system from leaking on the floors

desertdog5051 > CalzoneGolem 03/26/2015 at 12:21

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Some good replies. I would plan on flushing the entire system to ensure good fluid. DOT 3 fluid absorbs moisture from the air. It is also likely quite old. You can buy a power flushing machine or just do it the old fashioned way.

CalzoneGolem > desertdog5051 03/26/2015 at 12:23

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Yeah I planned on replacing all fluids before it gets on the road.