I've done a lot of brakework in my lifetime. But the one thing I just can't understand why auto manufacturers do......is use those special size hydraulic brake line fittings.....you know, the ones that usually go into the master cylinder? :af: I always save the originals and drill out the old piece of tubing, and use them over when replacing rotted tubing......it's easier than screwing around with wierd adapters that never really fit and look totally rediculas. :rant: It's bad enough the factory won't provide stainless tubing to start with that is safer and lasts more than 5 or 6 years. Here in the northeast they rot and burst from the salt causing the loss of brakes.....usually during a panic stop. :shock: Then there's bubble flares.....ou: Seriously......does anybody know WHY auto manufacturers do this? (besides just to drive the mechanic crazy) Just wondering.
Are you referring to two different thread sizes for the same tube OD? The reason this was/is done (still today) is to eliminate the possibility that the person on the assembly line, or during service, gets them installed in the wrong ports. It's even more of an error-proofing nightmare today because of the plumbing complexity on ABS systems. As straightforward as you think correct assembly should be, if it's possible to do it wrong it's gonna happen sooner or later. And believe me, we design engineers hate the bubble flares too. I'd like to see them go away forever and ever. And we can't get the OEMs to pay for stainless steel. Everybody's too cheap these days. Devon
Nah, if we were really bored we would've switched one of them to left hand threads and made the hex metric. :laugh: Devon
Right. Or metric lines. Try finding that off-the-shelf. The old Buicks are almost too easy to work on. Parts are cheap and everywhere and the tools are rarely a surprise. Not Chevy-cheap, but close.
That makes sense........I kind of figured that was the reason. Southwest US car owners are so blessed to never have to deal with this crap. I'm surprised manufacturers haven't been sued for using fuel and brakeline tubing that fails. I remember when I replaced the fuel lines on our Ford Tempo....they have special fittings on the hoses that come off the fuel pump in the gas tank. In order to do it right, you have to buy special flares on 6" pieces of tubing and splice them in to the new tubing with compression unions. The gas filter also uses these stupid plastic connectors. :rant: By the time I was done, I had nearly $100 in parts just to replace the fuel lines from front to rear. Then there's the sending unit issue on these fuel injected cars........they also rot and leak. I never heard of an old car doing that......they must have used better metal in those days. In the old days we had it made.......fuel injection and anti lock brakes have really complicated things! ou:
