Replacing all the steel brake lines questions

[SunlitComet]

At least it was just rust on the outside end and never they broke.

 

[newbie78]

I replaced all the brake lines in my '98 K1500 Suburban last fall as the lines were shot:


The truck came from up north and I was going to buy the kit or a few rolls of line. Then I realized that cars in SC aren't really exposed to road salt so I hit the pull-a-part and scavenged lines off 2 Tahoes & a Suburban to come up with almost everything I needed. I did, however, have to make the RF line from scratch.
Other than some special (goofy) flare nuts, the lines are all standard 3/16" or 1/4". If nothing is available locally I'd buy a few rolls or straight lengths of line and start copying the lines, a few at a time. They don't need to be 100% exact, just close enough to work. You can copy the axle lines, lines from MC to ABS distribution block , and LF line without pulling the old ones off the truck. It would also be a great time to upgrade the Master Cyl.
Here's what I pulled off. Most of my lines were terribly rotted in spots and great in others.


New lines at MC:


New lines on the frame rail:

Wow those new brake lines look like a bowl of spaghetti ha. The first pic looks like how bad mine are just under the brake booster.

The junk yard is a good idea! They only charge $4 for a brake line What makes/models/years would be the same for my 1997 tahoe 4x4?

I just looked up the inventory at my local harrys u pull it and found

1- tahoe 1997
1- tahoe 1996

1- gmc suburban 1996
1- chevy suburban 1999

chevy k1500 - 89,91,95,98

Are the brake lines the same on blazers and jimmy's? There are a ton of them at the yard.

 

[SunlitComet]

jimmy and compact blazers will not likely happen. any gmt420 or gmt430 platform tahoe, yukon or full size blazer should work just fine from years 95-2000. and a few years early for the yukon I think.

 

[newbie78]

jimmy and compact blazers will not likely happen. any gmt420 or gmt430 platform tahoe, yukon or full size blazer should work just fine from years 95-2000. and a few years early for the yukon I think.

Ok thanks. At $4 a line it's worth a try to look.

 

[1998Suburban]

If you're lucky maybe you can find something from the south that was totaled and ended up in Harry's. I've found that the truck, 2&4 dr Yukon, & Suburban lines are interchangeable except for the center section on the LH frame rail. Rear axle lines are identical for all models as is the piece that goes from the LH frame rail to the rear brake hose. Front brake MC to ABS controller are identical but LF and RF lines are specific to 2WD and 4WD models. The center section of the lines that runs along the frame under the doors is specific to the vehicle body style.
I stripped a 2WD Suburban, 2WD Tahoe, 4WD Tahoe, and 4WD Blazer (2Dr Tahoe) to get what I needed. If you see good fuel lines grab them too, mine were just as bad as the brake lines.
As for years I'd stay with the Vortec engines with the 4 Kelsey-Hayes wheel ABS controller (96-2000 OBS). The older trucks had RWAL only and had a different setup.

 

[newbie78]

Now that I think about it more... I might scrap using lines from the junkyard because the lines could be breaking down inside. Just like an exhaust it may look good on the outside but could be rusting away on the inside.

I'm going to go with buying line and bending it myself. I still might buy them from the junkyard to use them as templates. That way I can bend the lines ahead of time and not do it the same day I take everything apart. This is my daily driver so I can't afford to have the truck off the road for days.

 

[1998Suburban]

I've never seen a brake line rust from the inside out. Exhaust systems do this b/c of the moisture that's a byproduct of combustion. If grabbing a set of lines to use as patterns works for you that's fine. Just remember to transfer the flare nuts as they're non standard.

 

[scotto0609]

I used classic tube for my 94 2dr and was satisfied with the fit and service,you just have to bend 1 or 2 lines due to shipping constraints,and they mark those accordingly.

 

[newbie78]

I've never seen a brake line rust from the inside out. Exhaust systems do this b/c of the moisture that's a byproduct of combustion. If grabbing a set of lines to use as patterns works for you that's fine. Just remember to transfer the flare nuts as they're non standard.

I know how exhaust rots out my point was you can think your exhaust is good because it looks good outside but it can be really rotted out inside.

I never saw a brake line break down internally but I never cut one open to see. I've read several different forums that said they can rot from the inside out.

And read this "The second problem (and one not generally addressed by those making the determination of choice of materials) was internal corrosion. We know that brake fluid – DOT 3 or 4 will absorb ambient moisture and hold it in suspension within the hydraulic system allowing it to do its insidious thing within our brake lines. I have been told by brake specialists that more line corrosion occurs from within the brake tubes than from without."

From here: http://www.brakeconnect.com/cunifer-brake-line