Can I Drive With Rusted Or Broken Brake Lines?
Your brake lines are one of the most critical components of your car. They transmit your pedal pressure to the brakes. If they fail, your vehicle won’t stop. That’s clearly not a good situation to be in. To help you stay safe on the roads, we'll discuss what to do if you have rusted or broken brake lines.
Rusted Brake Lines
- •Surface rust is acceptable.
- •Serious corrosion is not.
Brake lines are made from a variety of different materials. They're commonly constructed from steel or other mixed metals, which can corrode over time. Salt, water, and adverse weather will slowly cause the brake lines to decay. If your brake lines look corroded and rusty (or if you experience any of the problems listed here), it may be time for a replacement set.
But even a new set of brake lines can look grubby and rusty at first glance. It is always a good idea to visually inspect your brake lines and clean off any superficial dirt to see their true condition.
If your vehicle is old and you regularly drive it over winter or in the rain, that surface rust will eventually cause the brake lines to fail. High-quality brake lines are designed to resist rust, giving you years of service even in extreme conditions.
Broken Brake Lines
- •Never drive a car with broken brake lines.
- •Have your car towed even if you experience partial brake failure.
A broken brake line is rare, but it can occur. Years of wear will eventually wear out the brake lines, leading to a break or tear in the material. Pressing hard on the brakes in an emergency can cause a weak section to fail. Sometimes, a road hazard can cut the brake lines.
In most cases, you will notice an immediate deterioration in braking performance. In extreme cases, you won’t be able to stop the vehicle at all.
If you notice that one of your brake lines has broken, you should not drive the vehicle. Even if you feel that there is some residual braking power left, you may cause an accident if you must stop suddenly.
Look Out For Signs Of Potential Failure
Just about every vehicle has two brake line circuits. If one fails, the other should still allow you to bring your car to a stop. But before that happens, you should be aware of the following signs of imminent brake failure:
- •Brake fluid leaks
- •A soft brake pedal – or very long brake pedal travel
- •Poor braking performance
- •Warning light on the dashboard
Always Choose High Quality Replacement Brake Lines
LinesToGo brake lines are designed to be a factory match. They have OE end forms and fittings and are pre-bent and ready to install. Our stainless-steel brake lines are constructed from 304L stainless steel or Galfan® coated steel and are designed to resist corrosion, surface fouling, and rust.
We stock a large range of pre-bent brake lines for many popular makes, including Acura, Ford, Toyota, and more.
If your brake lines are badly rusted or have broken, call lines LinesToGo. We offer free next day shipping to mainland USA and Canada and offer a free VIN look-up tool to make ordering easy.
