99 se 3.4 brake lines

[JohnnyBraska]

I have a clogged brake line on my 99 GA SE 3.4 V6. I'm going to replace the line but I'm not sure which size to get. Does anyone know off hand which size of line I should get? I don't want to take anything apart until I have all the supplies to put it back together.

 

[msmith1956]

If you're talking about the metal brake lines, I would suggest you inspect, and maybe replace the rubber brake hoses first. The hoses are more prone to failure than the metal lines, and easier, and cheaper to replace.

 

[melsg5]

Never heard of a clogged metal line, not that it's impossible, how did you determine this?

 

[JohnnyBraska]

I have a lot of pressure coming out of the abs module but cant get anything at the other end of the line. I've worked from both directions and narrowed it down to two lines that are blocked. The person who owned it before me lived on a ranch so it saw a lot of dirt roads and snow drifts. The lines don't look rusty but that is my guess as to what is blocking it.

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[melsg5]

if that is the problem did you use compressed air to blow it out, cannt imagine how dirt would get in a sealed brake system.

 

[JohnnyBraska]

Not yet. From what I've read some people have had luck doing that but most people say it is a waste of effort since the hydrolic pressure of the brake system is far greater than pneumatic pressure of an air compressor.

 

[melsg5]

yes the pressure is greater but the fluid in the line normally only moves the distance of the master cylinder piston which is a fraction of an inch.

 

[JohnnyBraska]

Fair enough I'll give that a shot when I get a chance.

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[Kevlar]

Years ago I bought a used 81 Honda CB-750-F, I found out that the front brakes were hardly working. The cause was bad brake fluid. It was old, moisture got into the lines and the fluid was coagulated into a goopy mess. I was able to flush them and restore new fluid to the system.

It's possible something like that has clogged your lines Johnny. If that's the case, you could try compressed air or you could also try to flush it with brake fluid too.

Although, if enough water (and time) has invaded the lines, it's possible they are clogged with a combination of rust and fluid sludge. If that's the case, it would then be best to replace them.