Options for a leaking brake pipe

[EvilDreams]

My ultra crappy 99 323f has a leak from the OS front brake line, just an inch or so above where it goes into the bracket where it joins with the flexi hose. When you put your foot on the brake it shoots brake fluid out like an aerosol can.

Someone recently suggested to me that just the last few inches of hard line can be replaced, and all that needs to be done is to cut the existing line (the nut is pretty rusted anyway) and replace the hose and the last few inches of brake line by "crimping" it on. I have never heard of this. Is it a temporary fix or is it safe enough to pass an MOT like that?

 

[jon.bda]

Anyone with the proper kit can flare a brakepipe on the car...

 

[Fuzz]

Yup, cut the hard pipe back to a point where it isn't rusty and with the correct tool you can flare a new end... Just remember to put the new nut on the pipe before flaring it.

 

[Finglonga]

If it is corrosion causing the leak it will be worth replacing the whole pipe.

 

[EvilDreams]

OK, I know about flaring, but what I am confused about is this "crimping" business. The guy makes up a few inches of brake line with a double flare and a nut, then he just attaches it to the existing line where it's been cut by "crimping" it on? Will that stand up to the pressure of the fluid going through it hundreds of times as the brakes go on?

 

[Snaggle]

just run a new line from the master cylinder if its the non rubber hose thats leaking . joining 2 flares sounds like a bodge to me

 

[jon.bda]

just run a new line from the master cylinder if its the non rubber hose thats leaking . joining 2 flares sounds like a bodge to me

Its perfectly fine?, You flare the good bit of the old pipe, add a connector, then add a new section of pipe, job done...

 

[The Edge]

We just did this on my 944 because the union nut had seized where it joined the flexi hose. No problem, safe as houses neat and tidy

 

[Dogbreath]

OK, I know about flaring, but what I am confused about is this "crimping" business. The guy makes up a few inches of brake line with a double flare and a nut, then he just attaches it to the existing line where it's been cut by "crimping" it on? Will that stand up to the pressure of the fluid going through it hundreds of times as the brakes go on?

Forget crimping, it doesn't exist for hard lines and someone is using the wrong word. You can join two hard brake lines together simply by putting a tube nut and the correct flare on each pipe and using a joiner.

These are 100% safe provided the flares are formed correctly. If the leak is only a couple of inches from another join (i.e. to the flexi in your case), you'll need to cut the pipe back quite a bit further since trying to prepare a tiny length of brake pipe with tube nuts and flares on either end is almost impossible.

 

[EvilDreams]

Thanks for clearing that up.