Step one. Bought the van.
Hello Everybody, First post. I camp a lot in tents but after spending three days straight in a tent in the rain at Dolly Sods I swore I'd make a change. Here it is. Bought it Wednesday. Dro...
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Undervan Storage Box continued:
UPDATE: This posting originally contained some bad information in regards to brake line repair. I've edited the post to remove the mistake. See the follow-up post for a explanation and correction.
While spending time under the van I couldn't help but notice that the steel brake line that runs between the two rear wheels was badly rusted. Looks like it needed replaced.
The brake line will be easier to deal with before the storage box is installed. I've never custom bent a brake line before but no time like the present to learn.
This brake line goes from this metal fitting between the differential and the drivers side rear wheel -
to the passenger side rear wheel.
I measured one of the end fittings and the length of the brake line. Mistake #1. I only measured one end. I assumed they would both be the same.
Went to the local auto supply store and bought a new brake line. It's longer than I need so I'll have to cut and flair one end. From Harbor Freight I also bought Tube Bending Pliers and a ( UPDATE: Don't buy this kit)Tube Flaring Kit.
Next up is the removal of the old brake line. Found it's easier if you remove the rear passenger side tire first.
Brake line off the van.
Using the tube bending pliers on the new brake line -
to replicate the profile of the original brake line.
For my first ever effort at this I don't think it turned out too bad.
The new brake line is longer than needed.
Use a tube cutter to remove the extra.
UPDATE: I used the wrong kind of flaring kit when I did this so I'm editing this post and removing some pictures. See my following post for the correction.
Time to install the new brake line. The first fitting worked OK. Take extra care not to cross thread the fitting.
It's when I went to screw the brake line into the wheel that I found the problem with the fittings I missed earlier. The wheel takes a larger size fitting.
I ended up cutting the flare end off the new brake line and reusing the bigger fitting from the original. Then used the flaring tool again.
Finished with the new brake line.
Put the tire back on and got my neighbor to help me bleed the brake lines. No leaks. Did a test drive and A-OK.
I might never need the flaring tool or the tube bender again but buying them for this single use was still cheaper than paying for a garage to do this work for me.
continued -
UPDATE: This posting originally contained some bad information in regards to brake line repair. I've edited the post to remove the mistake. See the follow-up post for a explanation and correction.
While spending time under the van I couldn't help but notice that the steel brake line that runs between the two rear wheels was badly rusted. Looks like it needed replaced.
The brake line will be easier to deal with before the storage box is installed. I've never custom bent a brake line before but no time like the present to learn.
This brake line goes from this metal fitting between the differential and the drivers side rear wheel -
to the passenger side rear wheel.
I measured one of the end fittings and the length of the brake line. Mistake #1. I only measured one end. I assumed they would both be the same.
Went to the local auto supply store and bought a new brake line. It's longer than I need so I'll have to cut and flair one end. From Harbor Freight I also bought Tube Bending Pliers and a ( UPDATE: Don't buy this kit)
Next up is the removal of the old brake line. Found it's easier if you remove the rear passenger side tire first.
Brake line off the van.
Using the tube bending pliers on the new brake line -
to replicate the profile of the original brake line.
For my first ever effort at this I don't think it turned out too bad.
The new brake line is longer than needed.
Use a tube cutter to remove the extra.
UPDATE: I used the wrong kind of flaring kit when I did this so I'm editing this post and removing some pictures. See my following post for the correction.
Time to install the new brake line. The first fitting worked OK. Take extra care not to cross thread the fitting.
It's when I went to screw the brake line into the wheel that I found the problem with the fittings I missed earlier. The wheel takes a larger size fitting.
I ended up cutting the flare end off the new brake line and reusing the bigger fitting from the original. Then used the flaring tool again.
Finished with the new brake line.
Put the tire back on and got my neighbor to help me bleed the brake lines. No leaks. Did a test drive and A-OK.
I might never need the flaring tool or the tube bender again but buying them for this single use was still cheaper than paying for a garage to do this work for me.
continued -
