Rust!

[DieselCash]

I got a 1995 Oldsmobile Cutlass Ciera from a buddy for free. It's lived about 98% of its life since new in Chicago.

The brake lines that run to the rear and front passenger side of the vehicle are rusted/rusting out under neath. They are bad enough to wear the reservoir will no longer hold any brake fluid.

I have never had to deal with rust before. :mad2:

I was going to see if I could replace both lines from a vehicle from the wrecking yard.

Is there a better way to deal with this?

They do not sale brake lines for this car at the local auto parts store.

 

[Pepperidge]

buy a tubing bender with flaring tool some fittings and roll of aluminum or stainless brake tubing...

 

[trouttrooper]

I did that with a '78 Impala once. It was a pain in the butt. Took bottle jacks and a couple handyman jacks to lift and contort the body vs. axle to thread the rear line in.

 

[DieselCash]

I am finally getting to taking off the rusted out brake lines. They route up and over the sub frame(I think, it is called that). There is these two large bolts on a large round metal with lots of rubber above and below. If I loosen these two bolts, what does it do? Bring the motor down?

Here are some pictures,





I would like to get the brake line off in one piece so I can duplicate it.

Thanks,

 

[3500GMC]

Shouldn't have to take the car apart. Just snip the old line to remove so it can be 'mocked up' to duplicate. A heavy pair of sidecuts will do the job.

 

[SnowDrift]

On the brake lines, there is some new type of tubing out there that you can form with your hands - no tubing bender required. It's ductile and won't kink up like the more well known type. You might find it much handier to use.

A '95 Cutlass? Check the body where the rear trailing arms connect. If the brake lines are this bad, then that portion of the "frame" area will probably be heavily rotted, too. This generation of the W-body was known for heavy rot in this area on both sides. Might take some creative fabrication work if there's not much metal left.

 

[DieselCash]

On the brake lines, there is some new type of tubing out there that you can form with your hands - no tubing bender required. It's ductile and won't kink up like the more well known type. You might find it much handier to use.

A '95 Cutlass? Check the body where the rear trailing arms connect. If the brake lines are this bad, then that portion of the "frame" area will probably be heavily rotted, too. This generation of the W-body was known for heavy rot in this area on both sides. Might take some creative fabrication work if there's not much metal left.

It is pretty bad back there but, I think it is still usable. I will go beat on it with a hammer to find out.

 

[DieselSlug]

Brake lines here seem to last not much more than 2 years or so. Most of the time you need to be creative and make up your own lines. Rust sucks!

 

[DieselCash]

Brake lines here seem to last not much more than 2 years or so. Most of the time you need to be creative and make up your own lines. Rust sucks!

I am learning that rust sux the hard way. :mad2:

Being born and raised in Texas, I have never had to deal with it.

I feel for yall northerners. :agreed:

 

[Burning oil]

Call/google inlinetube or classictube. they have SS lines for just about anything. I bought 3 sets for resto projects. very nice stuff.

 

[SnowDrift]

I am learning that rust sux the hard way. :mad2:

Being born and raised in Texas, I have never had to deal with it.

I feel for yall northerners. :agreed:

If I buy something I plan to keep, I shop in Texas or Arkansas or places like that. I don't buy vehicles that have lived here.

 

[DieselCash]

Call/google inlinetube or classictube. they have SS lines for just about anything. I bought 3 sets for resto projects. very nice stuff.

I will check that out but, I want to do this on the cheap. So far I have $7.42 in the car. I do not plan on keeping it. I would sale it how it is right now for $500 and not even care. I would like to fix it and drive for a few months first. It should run down the road a lot cheaper than my truck.

If I buy something I plan to keep, I shop in Texas or Arkansas or places like that. I don't buy vehicles that have lived here.

Smart move! :thumbsup: