American Clipper Owners Club

Tech Forum => Tech Forum => Topic started by: Horst on April 22, 2006, 06:15:44 PM

Title: Brake line heads up...
Post by: Horst on April 22, 2006, 06:15:44 PM
I have been a bit lazy.......
Have not looked at all my metal brake lines lately (obviously!).....
Started my Clipper a few hours ago to take a little spin and after a good warm-up, I slowly start to turn the Clipper around in my yard to get out to the street - put on the brake to put it in Reverse......and.......the brake pedal goes to the floor, and smoke starts pouring out from under the Clipper.
BUMMER!
Metal brake line connecting front left and right brakes (runs behind frame bar) popped a leak - a big leak - and in fact I'm ashamed to say the the brake line actually  rusted so much it was kind of crusted/attached to the frame support.

So - morals of the story?
1) I was very lucky it didn't happen of Highway 17, or on the freeway, or........
2) I was stupid and lazy for not checking those out better! (Although I did have some major brake work done a year ago or so - maybe they should have mentioned something? - but nonetheless, still my responsibility)
3) If you haven't looked at yours in a while - I suggest you do.
Title: Brake line heads up...
Post by: Horst on April 22, 2006, 06:19:08 PM
...the smoke was brake fluid squirting all over the exhaust pipes....lovely.
Title: Brake line heads up...
Post by: Rodney on April 25, 2006, 06:29:40 AM
you are a lucky guy for finding the leak when you did.
I am rebuilding the front end on my Clipper as we speak and I am replacing the hoses to the calipers, the drivers side is weeping from around the fittings. this is a good think to check if you haven't looked at them for a while.