97 Taurus GL -- blown brake line

Well, after the long hassle with my car, I got it back -- cost me a new wheel speed sensor and a new TRS (neutral safety switch) on top of everything else, but the problems are solved and she's running better than ever. I just need to spray some silicone lube on the shock mount towers every now and again to keep the squeak down, and I think I need a new strut, but the cost of new tires before winter has kept that for another day. Thanks to everyone who helped me diagnose the problems. You guys are great!:iceslolan

So, I noticed I was down on some brake fluid and got some at the same time I got the silicone spray, got the car home, added the fluid, stepped on the brake in a simulated panic stop and the damn brake line went. Needless to say the car's been sitting in my driveway with four brand new tires sitting on the back seat, doing nothing but holding the driveway down.:banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead:

Is this a repair I can attempt myself or should I grit my teeth, bend over, and call for a tow to a shop? And, if I do try it myself, what would I need to bleed the brakes and everything, because the fluid reservoir has gone dry. The leak is on the driver's side, right where the EB cable forks to the passenger side.

Thats a simple fix... Just replace the brake line... Then go to petland and buy some clear aquarium tubing. Have a large amount of brake fluid handy and get a friend to help u out. Now first fill up the resevoir with the fluid. Then place the clear tube on the nipple on the brake caliper. Open the nipple a slight amount (just enough to let the fluid out but not let air seep in) and have ur friend pump the brake pedal....... Take the other end of the tube and dangle it over the resevoir making sure ur resevoir is "ALWAYS" full. As the resevoir starts to drain (because ur friend is pumping on the brake pedal) continue to add fluid so the resevoir doesnt run dry. Always keep it topped off. Eventualy u will see the fluid pass through the clear tube and should end up going into ur resevoir.
As this process progresses, u will see bubbles in the tube but will eventualy clear up and it should look nice and fluent. At this point its a safe bet to close the nipple. Do the same thing to the other caliper(s) as well as the abs unit asuming theres a nipple on it, untill every nipple has been bled and no bubbles pass through the clear tubing. Just to be safe i would redo all the calipers one more time as ur resevoir was completely dry to begin with.
If u do this corectly then ur brake pedal will be the same or better than before ur line busted. Just as aside note, i would replace the other brake line cause if one failed, then the other is not far from it. Good luck

I would like to give truomega a pat on the back and two thumbs up for the wisdom in their advice: "Just as aside note, i would replace the other brake line cause if one failed, then the other is not far from it." Somebody give that man a ceegar! :iagree: Who knows what caused it to blow, maybe hit something on the road and it flew up and damaged the line, maybe just old age or a manufacturing defect or rotted with age or for some reason the fluid got super hot and caused the line to weaken. We can hypothesize all we want, BUT, it really does not matter why the line failed. One of the main ideals of this great forum is first and foremost SAEFTY for you and the motoring public in general. Feature coming to a stop light mashing the brake and another line blows and BAM, rear end a vehicle then you have a law suit for whiplash on the other driver and/or passenger(s). That would be bad enough, but what about coming to a stop light or sign mashing the brake and line blows and you roll out into the intersection and get T boned by an 18 wheeler or big SUV. Don't mean to be a nay sayer but just offering food for thought and considering the ramifications, . . . do what truomega said and replace ALL the lines.

You can talk vehicle problems all day long but the things that should get our immediate and undivide attention are LIFE SUPPORT, and brakes definitely fall into that category.

How exactly do you replace break lines of a 97 taurus? And how much do you think this would cost?

How exactly do you replace break lines of a 97 taurus? And how much do you think this would cost?

Welcome to the forum!

What brake lines are you looking to change, the steel lines or the rubber brake hoses? If steel, are you looking to do all lines or just front/rear? Are you wanting to form your own or buy replacement lines by application? You will want to flush the brake system afterwards, and there will be A LOT of air in the new lines. This will take some time, probably a helper, and probably 2 quarts of brake fluid.

-Rod