NoTrespassing
Elite Member
Hey Fellas,
Just wanted to relate my experience replacing a brake line on my 2001 F150. The line that runs down the frame from the cab to the rear axle rusted out and luckily I was almost home at the time. I called my usual mechanic and he said he doesn't do brake lines anymore because of liability issues. The other local brake shop has raised their shop rate to $110/hr. so I didn't want to go there.
I tried to measure the hex on all three fittings that I need to wrench on but they were pretty corroded and it was difficult to tell exactly what size they were. I ended up going to Harbor Freight and buying a set of metric and sae flare/line wrenches (30$/10 wrenches). I sprayed the fittings with PB Blaster and got them loose fairly easily. I unclipped the line from the frame and pulled it out towards the front of the truck.
The line measured 7ft. long, 3/16" diameter. The fitting on the front is a M12 x 1.0 male with a "double bubble" flare. The fitting on the rear is a 3/8-24 male with a "double" flare. I called 2 shops to see if they could reproduce the line for me but both declined for liability reasons like my usual mechanic. The third shop I called said they would do it. It's a little 2 man shop and I brought it over right away. He said to give him 20 minutes and he'd have it done. He used the same fittings that were on it and it worked perfectly for only $25. I left the rear fitting loose and bled the line through that fitting. After tightening the rear fitting the brakes feel and work great.
Why do you suppose Ford used a metric fitting on the front and a sae on the rear? Were they trying to get rid of stock while changing over to metric?
Kevin
Just wanted to relate my experience replacing a brake line on my 2001 F150. The line that runs down the frame from the cab to the rear axle rusted out and luckily I was almost home at the time. I called my usual mechanic and he said he doesn't do brake lines anymore because of liability issues. The other local brake shop has raised their shop rate to $110/hr. so I didn't want to go there.
I tried to measure the hex on all three fittings that I need to wrench on but they were pretty corroded and it was difficult to tell exactly what size they were. I ended up going to Harbor Freight and buying a set of metric and sae flare/line wrenches (30$/10 wrenches). I sprayed the fittings with PB Blaster and got them loose fairly easily. I unclipped the line from the frame and pulled it out towards the front of the truck.
The line measured 7ft. long, 3/16" diameter. The fitting on the front is a M12 x 1.0 male with a "double bubble" flare. The fitting on the rear is a 3/8-24 male with a "double" flare. I called 2 shops to see if they could reproduce the line for me but both declined for liability reasons like my usual mechanic. The third shop I called said they would do it. It's a little 2 man shop and I brought it over right away. He said to give him 20 minutes and he'd have it done. He used the same fittings that were on it and it worked perfectly for only $25. I left the rear fitting loose and bled the line through that fitting. After tightening the rear fitting the brakes feel and work great.
Why do you suppose Ford used a metric fitting on the front and a sae on the rear? Were they trying to get rid of stock while changing over to metric?
Kevin
