Brake line

I. Have fluid leaking on the rear brake line near the brake hose ns drum is this brake line one piece to the front or a section that can be taken apart and have made up.

Original build is one piece, many put proper joint in and replace the rusty section.

andyfreelandy said:

Original build is one piece, many put proper joint in and replace the rusty section.

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I'd just replace the whole lot. If one is leaking, the other's won't be far behind. I can't see the point in doing half jobs, much like you.

Would I be able to cut out the corodid part and join it with a piece of hard rubber hose so I can drive to my garage.

No one is going to answer that and take responsibility!!!

Pipjulie said:

Would I be able to cut out the corodid part and join it with a piece of hard rubber hose so I can drive to my garage.

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No.
Do you have breakdown cover that could get you there?

I do but I don't think they would take me to my garage as it's out of not just wondering if I could temporary fix so I could drive to garage which is 10 miles away.

I'd give them a call, say youve noticed the leak whilst checking over the car.
If you have home recovery then I'm pretty sure they would take you as part of your policy.
If not then change recovery company!
It's too much of a risk to drive like that.

Pipjulie said:

I do but I don't think they would take me to my garage as it's out of not just wondering if I could temporary fix so I could drive to garage which is 10 miles away.

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You could do worse than ask them - or find a mobile mech to replace the pipe onsite. I would NOT drive it, as is.

Pipjulie said:

Would I be able to cut out the corodid part and join it with a piece of hard rubber hose so I can drive to my garage.

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No.
I've crimped a brake pipe flat to stop it leaking once, when I was young and reckless.

It worked too, but obviously you'd loose the brake at that wheel. And if the crimp gave way, you'd have no brakes at all.
Best get it taken to whomever you trust to do the work to a high standard. Me I'd take the opportunity to replace the whole system including the flexible pipes and rear wheel cylinders.

The total cost of the parts isn't much, not when compared to the safety implications of an rotten brake system.

Thanks will try and crimp as mate doesn't want to tow me with his tow bar if I have no brake's at all.

Pipjulie said:

Thanks will try and crimp as mate doesn't want to tow me with his tow bar if I have no brake's at all.

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I wouldn't be doing that either - think of the liability issue!

Did you speak to your breakdown people ? Try to find a local mobile mechanic?

don't crimp the line


if you're going to be a knob and drive a car you know to have a serious issue then use a brake nipple to blank the line at the ABS pump.
But seriously don't. Get it taken there or use a mobile mechanic.

Most breakdown companies will take you somewhere, even if you don't have an mot. The day the mot ran out on my dead range rover, the AA came and moved it 15 yards from the road onto my drive, no problem at all. Also had the RAC move a Freelander to a garage when I wanted them to check over some work I'd done on the engine and brakes. I was sure I had done everything right (I had...) but I didn't want to risk it being unsafe so they towed it for me no questions asked, all part of the service.

It is illegal to drive a car with defective brakes, botched / temporary pipework, such as the hose repair you were contemplating, would count as a defect, so you'd be liable for 3 points a fine of "75 – 125% of relevant weekly income" or up to £2500. However, were you involved in an accident in such a vehicle you could be charged with dangerous driving facing much steeper penalties and potentially a driving ban.

A leaking brake pipe renders the vehicle unroadworthy, ergo it needs to be recovered to a garage. If you have breakdown cover, contact them to have the car transported to a garage for repair. If you were worried about them rejecting the claim, you could aggravate the pipe's failure b wriggling it to make the weep a full on leak. A less "dodgy" alternative would be to contact the garage and see how much they would want to recover the car.

Your friend is correct to refuse to two you on a bar, and legally speaking towing a car with defective brakes on an A-frame is also unacceptable :-(
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/a-frames-and-dollies/a-frames-and-dollies

@andyfreelandy I just noticed that both you and @Pipjulie (the OP) are in Devon, could this be a "call out" for your professional services?

Pipjulie said:

Thanks will try and crimp as mate doesn't want to tow me with his tow bar if I have no brake's at all.

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I wouldn't. I did that 25 years ago, when I was young and reckless.

I wouldn't do it now though.

Get the vehicle taken to the garage on the back of a lorry.