How to replace brake lines on 1976 Rabbit?

HerHusband wrote:
> I have a 1976 Rabbit.
>
> I have been having a problem with my brake pedal slowing going to the
> floor when I held it down. I did not see brake fluid leaking
> anywhere, so I replaced my master cylinder and installed new pads and
> front brake hoses.
>
> But, we went through two big bottles of brake fluid trying to bleed
> the brakes and couldn't bleed them. Still couldn't find any leaks.
>
> Just as we were about to give up, my wife saw brake fluid dripping
> from under the passenger floorboard. Pulled up the carpet, and yep,
> major mess. The steel brake line there had rusted through and a small
> pinhole had leaked massive amounts of fluid. Now I know where all
> that brake fluid was going...
> ...

I had that happen one day on my 1970 VW bug. It was about 15 years old
at the time with about 160,000 miles. It sure was exciting going through
that red light when it popped. That parking brake did slow it down enough
to miss the cross traffic however.

Be happy that you are in condition to worry about how you are going to
fix it.



--
Joseph Meehan

26 + 6 = 1 It's Irish Math

HerHusband wrote:
> I have a 1976 Rabbit.
>
> I have been having a problem with my brake pedal slowing going to the
> floor when I held it down. I did not see brake fluid leaking
> anywhere, so I replaced my master cylinder and installed new pads and
> front brake hoses.
>
> But, we went through two big bottles of brake fluid trying to bleed
> the brakes and couldn't bleed them. Still couldn't find any leaks.
>
> Just as we were about to give up, my wife saw brake fluid dripping
> from under the passenger floorboard. Pulled up the carpet, and yep,
> major mess. The steel brake line there had rusted through and a small
> pinhole had leaked massive amounts of fluid. Now I know where all
> that brake fluid was going...
> ...

I had that happen one day on my 1970 VW bug. It was about 15 years old
at the time with about 160,000 miles. It sure was exciting going through
that red light when it popped. That parking brake did slow it down enough
to miss the cross traffic however.

Be happy that you are in condition to worry about how you are going to
fix it.



--
Joseph Meehan

26 + 6 = 1 It's Irish Math

I have a 1976 Rabbit.

I have been having a problem with my brake pedal slowing going to the floor
when I held it down. I did not see brake fluid leaking anywhere, so I
replaced my master cylinder and installed new pads and front brake hoses.

But, we went through two big bottles of brake fluid trying to bleed the
brakes and couldn't bleed them. Still couldn't find any leaks.

Just as we were about to give up, my wife saw brake fluid dripping from
under the passenger floorboard. Pulled up the carpet, and yep, major mess.
The steel brake line there had rusted through and a small pinhole had
leaked massive amounts of fluid. Now I know where all that brake fluid was
going...

Anyway, I obviously need to replace the brake line, but it looks like it's
going to be a huge job trying to fish a hard metal brake line through the
car. Does anyone have any tips to make this job easier?

Also, I've got a major mess to clean up under the carpet now. Any tips on
cleaning up the brake fluid? I thought about spreading kitty litter all
over and letting it soak everything up.

Thanks,

Anthony

I had that happen on a 66 Beetle. That car had a single master
cylinder so when the line broke you lost all brakes. At least on the
67 it had a dual circuit so you had some brakes left. On my 80 and 84
Rabbits all the brake lines ran under the car. I vote for removing the
carpet and washing it out with lots of water. Washing the floorboard
as well as possible. If it is cold winter where you live removing the
carpet could be a challenge. Plan B might be vacuuming the stuff out
followed by as much rinsing as possible.

"Joseph Meehan" > wrote:

>HerHusband wrote:
>> I have a 1976 Rabbit.
>>
>> I have been having a problem with my brake pedal slowing going to the
>> floor when I held it down. I did not see brake fluid leaking
>> anywhere, so I replaced my master cylinder and installed new pads and
>> front brake hoses.
>>
>> But, we went through two big bottles of brake fluid trying to bleed
>> the brakes and couldn't bleed them. Still couldn't find any leaks.
>>
>> Just as we were about to give up, my wife saw brake fluid dripping
>> from under the passenger floorboard. Pulled up the carpet, and yep,
>> major mess. The steel brake line there had rusted through and a small
>> pinhole had leaked massive amounts of fluid. Now I know where all
>> that brake fluid was going...
>> ...
>
> I had that happen one day on my 1970 VW bug. It was about 15 years old
>at the time with about 160,000 miles. It sure was exciting going through
>that red light when it popped. That parking brake did slow it down enough
>to miss the cross traffic however.
>
> Be happy that you are in condition to worry about how you are going to
>fix it.


Jim B.

I had that happen on a 66 Beetle. That car had a single master
cylinder so when the line broke you lost all brakes. At least on the
67 it had a dual circuit so you had some brakes left. On my 80 and 84
Rabbits all the brake lines ran under the car. I vote for removing the
carpet and washing it out with lots of water. Washing the floorboard
as well as possible. If it is cold winter where you live removing the
carpet could be a challenge. Plan B might be vacuuming the stuff out
followed by as much rinsing as possible.

"Joseph Meehan" > wrote:

>HerHusband wrote:
>> I have a 1976 Rabbit.
>>
>> I have been having a problem with my brake pedal slowing going to the
>> floor when I held it down. I did not see brake fluid leaking
>> anywhere, so I replaced my master cylinder and installed new pads and
>> front brake hoses.
>>
>> But, we went through two big bottles of brake fluid trying to bleed
>> the brakes and couldn't bleed them. Still couldn't find any leaks.
>>
>> Just as we were about to give up, my wife saw brake fluid dripping
>> from under the passenger floorboard. Pulled up the carpet, and yep,
>> major mess. The steel brake line there had rusted through and a small
>> pinhole had leaked massive amounts of fluid. Now I know where all
>> that brake fluid was going...
>> ...
>
> I had that happen one day on my 1970 VW bug. It was about 15 years old
>at the time with about 160,000 miles. It sure was exciting going through
>that red light when it popped. That parking brake did slow it down enough
>to miss the cross traffic however.
>
> Be happy that you are in condition to worry about how you are going to
>fix it.


Jim B.

wrote:
> I had that happen on a 66 Beetle. That car had a single master
> cylinder so when the line broke you lost all brakes. At least on the
> 67 it had a dual circuit so you had some brakes left.

It should, but in my case the dual system failed. That was the second
time it failed. The first was in the rain fog and snow in the mountains of
PA. It turned on the light but since I had no other failure, I was OK.

> On my 80 and 84
> Rabbits all the brake lines ran under the car. I vote for removing the
> carpet and washing it out with lots of water. Washing the floorboard
> as well as possible. If it is cold winter where you live removing the
> carpet could be a challenge. Plan B might be vacuuming the stuff out
> followed by as much rinsing as possible.
>
> "Joseph Meehan" > wrote:
>
>> HerHusband wrote:
>>> I have a 1976 Rabbit.
>>>
>>> I have been having a problem with my brake pedal slowing going to
>>> the floor when I held it down. I did not see brake fluid leaking
>>> anywhere, so I replaced my master cylinder and installed new pads
>>> and front brake hoses.
>>>
>>> But, we went through two big bottles of brake fluid trying to bleed
>>> the brakes and couldn't bleed them. Still couldn't find any leaks.
>>>
>>> Just as we were about to give up, my wife saw brake fluid dripping
>>> from under the passenger floorboard. Pulled up the carpet, and yep,
>>> major mess. The steel brake line there had rusted through and a
>>> small pinhole had leaked massive amounts of fluid. Now I know where
>>> all that brake fluid was going...
>>> ...
>>
>> I had that happen one day on my 1970 VW bug. It was about 15
>> years old at the time with about 160,000 miles. It sure was
>> exciting going through that red light when it popped. That parking
>> brake did slow it down enough to miss the cross traffic however.
>>
>> Be happy that you are in condition to worry about how you are
>> going to fix it.
>
>
> Jim B.

--
Joseph Meehan

26 + 6 = 1 It's Irish Math

wrote:
> I had that happen on a 66 Beetle. That car had a single master
> cylinder so when the line broke you lost all brakes. At least on the
> 67 it had a dual circuit so you had some brakes left.

It should, but in my case the dual system failed. That was the second
time it failed. The first was in the rain fog and snow in the mountains of
PA. It turned on the light but since I had no other failure, I was OK.

> On my 80 and 84
> Rabbits all the brake lines ran under the car. I vote for removing the
> carpet and washing it out with lots of water. Washing the floorboard
> as well as possible. If it is cold winter where you live removing the
> carpet could be a challenge. Plan B might be vacuuming the stuff out
> followed by as much rinsing as possible.
>
> "Joseph Meehan" > wrote:
>
>> HerHusband wrote:
>>> I have a 1976 Rabbit.
>>>
>>> I have been having a problem with my brake pedal slowing going to
>>> the floor when I held it down. I did not see brake fluid leaking
>>> anywhere, so I replaced my master cylinder and installed new pads
>>> and front brake hoses.
>>>
>>> But, we went through two big bottles of brake fluid trying to bleed
>>> the brakes and couldn't bleed them. Still couldn't find any leaks.
>>>
>>> Just as we were about to give up, my wife saw brake fluid dripping
>>> from under the passenger floorboard. Pulled up the carpet, and yep,
>>> major mess. The steel brake line there had rusted through and a
>>> small pinhole had leaked massive amounts of fluid. Now I know where
>>> all that brake fluid was going...
>>> ...
>>
>> I had that happen one day on my 1970 VW bug. It was about 15
>> years old at the time with about 160,000 miles. It sure was
>> exciting going through that red light when it popped. That parking
>> brake did slow it down enough to miss the cross traffic however.
>>
>> Be happy that you are in condition to worry about how you are
>> going to fix it.
>
>
> Jim B.

--
Joseph Meehan

26 + 6 = 1 It's Irish Math

Joseph,

> It sure was exciting going through that red light when it popped.

Yep, about the same situation here. I was pulling a trailer load of garbage
to the dump and had to stomp on the brake when the traffic light suddenly
changed. It started to slow down briefly, then the pedal dropped to the
floor! Very scary... So, I stepped on the gas to get through the
intersection before the cross traffic started moving.

It could have been a lot worse...

Anthony

Joseph,

> It sure was exciting going through that red light when it popped.

Yep, about the same situation here. I was pulling a trailer load of garbage
to the dump and had to stomp on the brake when the traffic light suddenly
changed. It started to slow down briefly, then the pedal dropped to the
floor! Very scary... So, I stepped on the gas to get through the
intersection before the cross traffic started moving.

It could have been a lot worse...

Anthony

Long, long, long ago VW had a recall on them lines but more than likely it
was already done. Don't think there is a way to check anymore. Wanna a
tip... only use the VW line which is coated against corrosion. Now everyone
knows how old I am(lol)!


"HerHusband" > wrote in message
...
>I have a 1976 Rabbit.
>
> I have been having a problem with my brake pedal slowing going to the
> floor
> when I held it down. I did not see brake fluid leaking anywhere, so I
> replaced my master cylinder and installed new pads and front brake hoses.
>
> But, we went through two big bottles of brake fluid trying to bleed the
> brakes and couldn't bleed them. Still couldn't find any leaks.
>
> Just as we were about to give up, my wife saw brake fluid dripping from
> under the passenger floorboard. Pulled up the carpet, and yep, major mess.
> The steel brake line there had rusted through and a small pinhole had
> leaked massive amounts of fluid. Now I know where all that brake fluid was
> going...
>
> Anyway, I obviously need to replace the brake line, but it looks like it's
> going to be a huge job trying to fish a hard metal brake line through the
> car. Does anyone have any tips to make this job easier?
>
> Also, I've got a major mess to clean up under the carpet now. Any tips on
> cleaning up the brake fluid? I thought about spreading kitty litter all
> over and letting it soak everything up.
>
> Thanks,
>
> Anthony