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Mar 12, 2006 19:08:33 GMT
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 Hardly a very pretty or sexy pic, but well worth seeing in my opinion. Obviously a lot of[or maybe all of] us here drive older cars. I'm a mechanic/MOT tester so I get to see all sorts of horrors. Unfortunately this horror was found on my own car, a Skoda Estelle that I bought a few weeks ago. Look at how corroded those 2 metal brake pipes are that up through rubber grommets into the boot. They would be missed on an MOT test as you can only see them with the spare wheel removed. MOT testers are not allowed to remove anything. Lots of other cars have hidden brake pipes, so it's worth spending some time having a good look at yours. The 2 really bad ones in my pic are the main ones from the master cylinder, failure of either of them would result in NO BRAKES! When I replaced them a few days ago they literally crumbled and broke up in my hand. YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED! |
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Mr K
Posted a lot
Posts: 2,993
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Mar 12, 2006 19:16:53 GMT
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On the kitten i was looking at the main pipe that ran the length of the car, it was coverd in underseal so i scratched some off to check it was all OK, and it was a lovely silver paint underneath, but on the chassis side of the pipe (it was fastened to the chassis) where the undear seal didnt get to it was exceptionally rusty.
so i knocked up a new copper one and jobs a good un.
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Mar 12, 2006 19:34:16 GMT
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some yank cars have the brake lines in an armoured flex. This proects the brakeline from impact damage from rocks or anything thrown up under the vehicle. However there is no way for the tester (or anyone) to observe if they are rusting! Regular pressure testing (with the vehicle in Park!) is about the best you can do save for removing the armour flex.
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1937 Austin Street Rod - 1941 Wolseley Not Rod - 1956 Humber Hawk - 1957 Daimler Conquest - 1966 Buick LeSabre - 1968 Plymouth Sport Fury - 1968 Ford Galaxie - 1969 Ford Country Squire - 1969 Mercury Marquis - 1970 Morris Minor - 1970 Buick Skylark - 1970 Ford Galaxie - 1971 Ford Galaxie - 1976 Continental Mark IV - 1976 Ford Capri - 1976 Rover V8 - 1994 Ford Fiesta
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Mar 12, 2006 19:55:28 GMT
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I recently bought an early Land Rover discovery from a garage with 11 months mot. Brakes were pretty curse word poor and I ended up getting it really cheap.
Got it home and started checking it over. Every brake pad was down to metal the passenger side front pad had spun in the caliper allowing the piston to touch the disc. When I cam to remove the disc it actually came away from then hub in my hand as the pad had worn all the way through it.
Rebuilt both front callipers and replaced the discs came to bleeding them without the engine running and suddenly the pedal was going all the way to the floor looked round the back to see a pool of brake fluid, one of the solid pipes on the axle had popped. I had already replaced all four of the solid pipes from the flexi`s to the callipers on the front as I wasnt happy with the looks of those.
I have ended up replacing every single solid pipe on it now.
I cant believe that someone had actually been driving it the way the brakes were though.
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Mar 12, 2006 20:08:43 GMT
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 That's terrible, but even worse with a new MOT. The pipes on the rear axle aren't even hidden or difficult to see. Poor brakes are bad on any car,but a Disco is a damned heavy vehicle to have dodgy brakes on. 
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Mar 12, 2006 20:24:39 GMT
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What are those brake lines on yours made of then Dave?
Ratlook, make sure the new copper one is well supported along its length. If they were made of something else (like kunifer) there might not be enough support points to be able to eliminate the copper fatiguing.
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Last Edit: Mar 12, 2006 20:34:20 GMT by Deleted
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Mar 12, 2006 20:37:47 GMT
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 The original ones were steel, which is what most cars are fitted with in the factory. I've replaced them with copper though. 
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Mr K
Posted a lot
Posts: 2,993
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Mar 12, 2006 21:06:32 GMT
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Ratlook, make sure the new copper one is well supported along its length. If they were made of something else (like kunifer) there might not be enough support points to be able to eliminate the copper fatiguing. will check, if i remember rightly it was. when i run the new fuel line, battery cable (got to rear mount the battery), and various other new wires etc through i will replace all the fasteners. |
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Last Edit: Mar 12, 2006 21:08:02 GMT by Mr K
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Mar 12, 2006 21:16:34 GMT
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The original ones were steel, which is what most cars are fitted with in the factory. I've replaced them with copper though. What, mild steel? Bit scary! Mine have always been copper. |
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Mr K
Posted a lot
Posts: 2,993
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Mar 12, 2006 21:18:17 GMT
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The original ones were steel, which is what most cars are fitted with in the factory. I've replaced them with copper though. What, mild steel? Bit scary! Mine have always been copper. I was of the understanding that mild steel pipes where the norm on most cars? |
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Ahhh... The day i will have to worry about putting the brakes back in on the Rekord.. That will be a good day i think And of course, all brake piping will be bought spanking new when that time comes With 2.2 brakes an`all ;D |
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That's terrible, but even worse with a new MOT. The pipes on the rear axle aren't even hidden or difficult to see. Poor brakes are bad on any car,but a Disco is a damned heavy vehicle to have dodgy brakes on. 
The original ones were steel, which is what most cars are fitted with in the factory. I've replaced them with copper though. 