Damaged Brake line

[slowfashow]

I notice a leak on my 2004 V6 today when I had it on a lift. I had changed my brakes and noticed that my brake fluid was low so I bled the system and added more brake fluid. When I pump my brakes everything went well but then my brake light came on and my friends is telling me there is a leak behind my right rear wheel and come to find out its a brake line leaking brake fluid. Does anyone know how much this might cost to fix or if I can do it myself? Thanks

 

[wmburns]

During your recent brake work did you open the system? Have you confirmed exactly WHERE it is leaking? Hard line, flexible line, banjo bolt? Caliper piston? Any pictures?

If the copper washers on the banjo bolt were re-used, they will leak. Simple fix is to use new washers.

IMO, the most difficult part of this is determining WHICH part is bad. The difficultity of the fix depends on that. However, replacing flexible brake lines should be well within the capabilities of someone that can do brake work.

 

[slowfashow]

I went underneath the car today and found the leak. It is a hard line that is making contact with my exhaust pipe. It seems as if it melted from what I see. Is this expensive to get fixed professionally? Thanks again!

 

[wmburns]

At the risk of sounding rude, this is a DIY site. If you want to know how much a professional will charge to do such an unusual job, ask a pro.

It would seem to me that one of the harder issues is locating replacement parts. If this were me, I would get a price for a new part from Ford. After recovering from sticker shock, then check prices from a salvage yard.

Try car-part.com to check prices at local salvage yards. However, I doubt that prices for individual brake hard parts will be listed. Thus a needing a little face-to-face with the shop keeper.

Depending on where the fault is, it may be possible to "cut out" the bad section and splice in new hard line.

With no pictures to refer to, no one out here in Internet land can offer anything more than token advice.

Good luck to you.