1992 Pickup Brake Lines

[PDE123]

I own a 1992 pickup and just had the brakes replaced (all around) the other day, but they felt quite soft when I got it back.

The brake light came on and when I checked the level, the fluid was all but gone. I figured maybe the garage didn't replace the fluid after doing the job, so filled it up again. The light didn't go out and after checking the reservoir, the fluid was all but gone.

I took it to Midas to get the potential leak checked out, and they informed me that all the brake lines needed replacement. It was on the lift and I had a look and sure enough, the lines are quite shot.

So, now to the point, they told me that the truck is one of the worst vehicles on the road for the routing of brake lines and that it would be a day to a day and a half just to replace them all. I just want to know if anyone can confirm/deny this fact. I will take the truck elsewhere to get estimates, but needless to say, after having the whole brake system supposedly redone by the dealership, I wasn't expecting something major with the brakes for quite some time.

Thanks in advance.

[pwd95]

Well this is a mighty old thread, but I need to get my lines replaced to, I took it into Canadian Tire because I don't have a Midas and they said basically the same as "So, now to the point, they told me that the truck is one of the worst vehicles on the road for the routing of brake lines and that it would be a day to a day and a half just to replace them all." except they told me 10 hours of labour +/-.

Did you ever get yours done? How much did it cost?

[MIC0417]

Bull-fucking shit. I can do them in less than an hour and I'm not a mechanic, just an 18 year old enthusiast. There are only three brake lines and the reason the brakes feel so soft is becaise they haven't properly bled the system, find a good shop these places are ripping you off.

[MIC0417]

Are you talking about the hard lines?

[pwd95]

Well I don't know much about brakes, but I planned on getting all the lines and fittings replaced. What exactly are the hard lines?

EDIT: Ok, I realize what the hard lines are now haha, ya I plan on replacing all those.

[MIC0417]

10 hours is unreasonable, they just bend new lines with a bender, someone who is experienced shouldn't take that long, unless you're talking about EVERY single line in the system.

[denniswoo]

it takes about a good half day or sometimes a little longer to replace the steel lines on most vehicles,bleed the brakes and clean up.unless you have a complete brake job done,and in that i mean rotor/drums turned,all the rubber/steel lines, replace wheel cylinders/ calipers replaced.then i would say a full day.

[V62WDLongbed]

I can see the need to replace rubber lines now and again but why is there a need to replace the hard lines as well?

[denniswoo]

Originally Posted by V62WDLongbed

I can see the need to replace rubber lines now and again but why is there a need to replace the hard lines as well?

a lot of them last a lifetime but under more than normal circumstances,vehicle sitting for a year or two steel brake lines rust out and if you live where they use salt/sand to clear the roadways from ice snow they tend to rust faster than normal.also in the southern states where is is humid most of the year, brake fluid tends to accumulate moisture and that eventually ends up rusting steel lines from the inside.it is not something that is a routine maintenance.

[pwd95]

Road salt is probably the leading cause of this. We use alot of salt up here in the winter, and this truck is 13 years old, so it was bound to go sooner or later I guess. Anyways, I found a place that quoted me about $600 to replace all the steel lines/fittings and its going in Friday.(Toyota quoted me about $850) If its cheap enough I might just get them to do the frost rotors/pads as well since it will be worked on anyway. I miss my truck .