Brake line leak above rear axle

Hey Everyone!

This is my first post here and I'm just looking for some help. I got a 2007 AC 4.0 back in October and for about a month now I've been slowly losing brake fluid. I found the leak and it appears to be above the rear axle drivers side (ref pictures) where there's a brake line connection. Not sure if anyone's had a similar problem and could provide me some guidance.

I like too wrench on stuff myself and would rather do it than taking it to a shop but most of my experience is from my old subie (headgaskets, clutch, etc). I also checked around the forums but couldn't find anything similar. I'm not really super familiar with brake line systems so any advice to give me a place to start would be greatly appreciated!

 

Well lets put it this way more than likely the steel line where ever it goes and a flex hose you'll never get either one off in one piece.

 

Crusty brake lines can be a huge PITA to work on.... sometimes it's worth paying the professionals, if only to avoid the frustration and anger sharks.

The lower bracket and hard lines don't look too bad. Here are the part numbers you'll likely need to R&R. Fingers crossed the forward connections come off without issue.

 

That is super helpful really appreciate the reply. Yea sadly up here in Canada everything rusts so hopefully it'll come apart.

 

I'll give you a hint is there is some thing in there you would like to save you will never get a wrench to turn the steel brake line nut free. Just cut it close to the nut and use a 6 point socket to try an remove it from the fitting. I live in Maine and used to work in a local garage and rusted stuff was common place not just break lines. Once you have it all back together FF the snot out of it.

 

Yea so it looks like it's just the one steel line is leaking right behind the connection so guess ill go ahead and replace the whole line. And thanks @maineah ill do that when I attempt to remove the steel line that's a great tip. Would you guys recommend using OEM lines or some aftermarket stuff and bend and flair myself?

 

Sorry to say but I would question the overall condition of the frame
From what I see it does not look good
Good luck with the brakes thou

 

It is a double flair you will need a proper tool it would be easier to use a longer line and just put a loop in it. there is a cheap bending tool better that then by hand to avoid kinking it

 

It's actually pretty clean for the area and all the salt they put down around here. Been oil sprayed yearly since new that's really the only spot where it shows some rust.

 

yea ok probably cheaper for me to just grab the OEM lines than buy the tools to flair and bend aftermarket ones

 

Wouldnt you know it .
Lost my brake pedal the other day dammit .
My brake line is leaking in the same darn spot as this !!!!!!! Golly
The frame is fine as I have a case of grease smushed all over it .
Living in the salt belt sucks .
Time to look for a new Toyota

 

hopefully it’s just the line. Normal not a big deal. Kind of hard to break free and not strip

actual hardline and flared fitting, that would be more difficult

 

The line coming to the first bracket above the axle id clean the area as best I could and put a little heat to it with a vice grips, if she twists the hard line, then just buy a little bit of line and make a poop like maineah said.. you’ll never snake the factory lines along the frame with the body on

 

Yah
No kidding.
All the brake lines are deep above the gas tank .
I just grabbed some metric line and a couple union's from the auto supplier .
Will see how this goes shortly .
May have to get the torch out .

That being said , if you are looking to sell your rust free truck , I am willing to drive to pick it up .
Was gonna buy a new tundra , but they are 100k up here in Canada.
I would be lucky to see 10 years out of it

 

Brake lines on mine get blasted with FF (metal parts) I buy FF in gallon size! It's tough up here in Maine on metal parts. Guess the effort is worth it my frame is still black.

 

You are a lucky man .
Sooo much salt up here and 30 below zero , they close the car wash when its that cold .
Truck doesnt get an underwash until spring . 7 months with a salt blanket
I would go buy another truck , but same thing is going to happen to the new truck .
I splash the tacoma with fluid film every year . Costs 600 bucks up here .
Do it myself just to be sure its done soaking wet . Drilled all the holes in the doors and put the rubber plugs in
Also throw a case of grease at the frame every year .
Messy job but got no choice .
The rust catches up quickly

 

I coated my '13 Taco with FF every year for 11 years and it worked well. They close the car washes at 0° F here which is much of the winter in Mn. but I don't wash the undercarriage in the winter anyhow. Or park in a heated garage too cold to rust leaving it in the driveway. Sold the Taco couple of months ago and converting a 19 Lexus GX 460 that lived in Texas into a grouse mobile First thing I did was pay to have it coated with NHOU oil professionally which is FF on steroids. Getting too old for that doing it myself thing anymore I'm closer to 70 then 60.

$600 is insane for FF that would be a lifetime supply here!

Come mid Sept. I will be in Sunset Country bird hunting again. Off Red Lake Road from the South end to half way up. If you turn me onto some grouse hot spots at the North end I might be convinced to finally make the trip to the end of Red Lake Road....

Just kidding you have helped many out on here for years. If you want I can see about bringing a case of FF across the border with me in Sept. I do have to go through customs (inside office plus inspection) due to bringing shotguns and ammo (16 ga.) across the border. But I don't think FF would be a problem, then again you never know. If you want send me a private message and would be glad to help you out if I can.

Half way up Red Lake road last year to the West seen 2 vehicles all day, CO's. They gave us the going over until the youngest one seen my Toller in the back and then he whipped out his phone and showed me pictures of his 4 year old Toller. The older guy rolled his eyes and drove off, no game ticket violations going to be given out here today with that going on. We ended up talking for half an hour about dogs and Tollers he told me about Screaming Retriever Beer which is named after the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever (Toller)



End of July I will be calling the "local" LCBO near the cabin we stay at and ordering a couple cases of Alpenglow, takes them a month or more to ship it in. I only want it for the cans of course, but hope it taste decent enough LOL.

 

If you're lucky just one line. I tried to replace just one line on an '87 Ranger and by the time I was done all the lines were new.

 

Give me a shout when you come up this year .