How Much Does It Cost To Fix a Brake Line?
Broken Brake Line by michaelpickard — CC BY-NC-ND 2.0
Brakes are one of the most important parts of any vehicle. They’re responsible for stopping the car, and they need to be taken care of so that decelerating and stopping are safe and efficient.
While many people know that rotors and pads need to be inspected on a regular basis, there are many more parts of the braking system that are important.
Today we’re going to talk about brake lines, an integral part that’s responsible for making the brakes on your vehicle in working order. After all, without them pushing the brake pedal would result in nothing.
What Do Brake Lines Do?
In most vehicles, the braking system is a hydraulic system that relies on fluid pressure. The brakes work by relying on pressure moving brake fluid through the system to move pistons in the calipers, causing your brake pads to come into contact with the rotors. This contact between the pads and rotors is what causes the vehicle to slow down and eventually stop.
The brake pedal in your car is how fluid pressure is moved throughout the brake system. The more pressure you put on the pedal, the faster your vehicle decelerates, right? Well, the brake fluid is moved through brake lines, allowing the fluid to be moved from the reservoir and create the pressure needed to push the piston. All brake fluid is moved through bracket lines, making them incredibly important.
Brake lines can be made from rigid materials like steel tubing, or more flexible ones similar to hoses. No matter the material, brake lines are just as subject to wear and tear as any other part of your vehicle.
The difference is that damaged brake lines are often considered an emergency repair, as they are part of the system that makes driving safe. If the brake lines are damaged, your vehicle is prone to brake failure, and as such is unsafe to drive.
NOT JUST FOR CAR SHOPPING
The CoPilot app isn’t just for buying a car - our new CoPilot for Owning tool will help you keep track of recalls and gives you advice on which scheduled maintenance tasks are most important.
How to Identify a Bad Brake Line
Now that we know just how important brake lines are, you may be wondering how to identify a bad brake line. There are a few ways to tell, and we’ve got them listed here with what exactly you should be looking for.
Leaks
Brake lines are the method of delivery for brake fluid from the reservoir in the master cylinder to the brake calipers. Brakes are what is considered a closed system, meaning that brake fluid does not enter or exit the system once it has been completed.
This is what allows for the pressure being applied to the piston via the brake pedal to be reversed when the pedal is released. Arguably, any and all leaks in a vehicle are of concern, but this is especially true when it comes to brake lines. If there is a leak, then brake fluid can escape the closed system, causing the brake to lock up, or to not work entirely.
Brake fluid leaks in the lines are generally easy to identify, and will be in the lines that you see connected to your calipers. They’re easy to follow for the most part, and the leak will be noticeable.
Brake fluid is clear in color, or brown if older or dirty. It feels oily, and smells similar to castor oil in most cases. If you find these in or around your wheel wells, you may have a leak in your brake line.
Brake Pedal Feel
When pushing on the brake pedal in your vehicle, there should be some resistance due to the pressure in the system. This is, after all, how brakes work.
One of the easiest ways to tell if there’s been a failure in your brake lines that isn’t causing a visible leak is the pressure in your pedal. If you press on it and it drops to the floor of your vehicle, there is an issue to be tended to, without a doubt.
THE BEST TWO-SEATER CARS
If you’re in the market for a speedy two-seater, we’ve got you covered. Check out our list of the best two-seater cars on the market today.
Visual Indicators
One of the best ways to tell if a brake line has gone bad, or if there’s any issues with your brakes, is to pay attention to your dash lights. When there is a brake system issue, your brake light will come on, and that’s a sure sign that the system needs to be checked.
This could mean a brake line issue. Furthermore, if you’re handy, you can check the brake lines yourself if you think there may be a problem, looking for any signs of damage (kinks or breaks) or corrosion on the lines themselves.
Repairing Your Brake Line
While repairing your brake lines on your own is possible, it’s not exactly the most DIY-friendly job, so it’s recommended to have a mechanic take on the job.
According to Repair Pal, the average brake line replacement cost is around $170 to $190, with parts costing on average $96, and the labor costing anywhere from $74 to $94. A low price to ensure that your vehicle’s brakes are operating at the best of their ability!
Something worth thinking about when replacing your brake lines is the type of parts used. Standard steel lines are going to be a bit cheaper, but if you plan on keeping your vehicle for the long haul, consider asking about braided lines, as they’re more durable and will last longer in most cases.
WHAT TO DO IF A DEALER REFUSES TO CANCEL EXTENDED WARRANTY
Car buying can occasionally be frustrating, especially if you’re purchasing your vehicle through a dealership. We’re here to tell you how to navigate a situation in which a dealer refuses to cancel your extended warranty.
Brake Lines Are Essential
When it comes to brake lines, any sort of damage is absolutely essential to have repaired. Operating a vehicle with worn or damaged brakes is unsafe for you and the vehicles around you. If you suspect your brakes are beginning to go bad, it’s important to give the lines a check.
Look under the vehicle for leaking brake fluid, check your dash for the dreaded brake light, and feel the pedal for pressure. If your vehicle has any of these symptoms, have a mechanic take a look at the vehicle for you. Replacing your brake lines is a cost effective job, and a cheap way to make sure you stay safe while on the road.
Get a Curated List of the Best Used Cars Near You
The CoPilot car shopping app is the easiest way to buy a car. Tell us what you’re looking for and we’ll search the inventories of every dealership in your area to make you a personalized list of the best car listings in your area.
Only looking for newer models? CoPilot Compare is the search engine for nearly-new cars. Only see cars five years or newer with low mileage — CoPilot Compare is the best way to find off-lease, early trade-in, and CPO cars.
The best part? CoPilot is built using the same technology that dealerships use to buy and sell their inventories, so we have more info on each vehicle than competitors. CoPilot doesn’t work with dealerships, so there are no sponsored posts or other shady practices — just the most info on the best cars. Check out our About Us page to see how CoPilot works.
