Rear brakes? Whats the percentage of the actual stopping that they do?

I'm having ONE HELL OF A TIME replacing the line that runs from the master cyl. to the rubber line with the "T" on the end. It's a different size line than the rest of the lines (bigger than 3/16 and smaller than 1/4) and NOBODY carries the line!

So, for a temporary fix, I intend to just go without the rear brakes for now. Or would that be too dangerous?

Thanks in advance!

 

the line is 10 mm, double flare.

 

I had to use a series of adapters to use 1/4 line, i used a metric flare to 3/16 double flare, then that to a 1/4 doulble flare then used 1/4 line.

edit: I also got all of this at car quest.

 

i'd rate brakes front or rear as important as a steering wheel. you'd be opening yourself up for all kinds of liabiliy if you were in a crash and at fault.

 

I have heard something like 75% front, 25% rear, as far as stopping power. In other words, the front brakes are doing 75% of the work. Dont quote me on those numbers though, I have no research whatsoever to show that. However, front brake pads do wear out faster.

Driving without the rear brakes is a big no-no though. Its not so much that they need to help stop the car, but they DO need to help stop the rear wheels from turning during braking. Lets say you drive with no rear brakes. It would probably be okay just crusing around, even though you would definitely notice a big loss in stopping power. However, if you had to slam on the brakes hard, the front tires would lock, or come close to locking, yet the rear wheels, as well as the entire rotating weight of the driveline is still spinnng, and isnt bening slowed at all. You would most likely spin 180 degrees around, if not completely off the road. Cars have brakes on all fours for a reason.

 

Its not to hard to drive a car without rear brakes. Your car isnt going to instantly spin. The engine and trans will actually help slow the rear wheels not make them go faster(unless your dumb and you have both pedals to the floor). On the bright side you have a temporary line loc so might as well go out and use it.

If you want hard to drive try driving a diagnally split system that loses half the system and has one of the working corners so worn it doesnt brake at all.

 

you dont need back brakes, but why not keep them. its one of those things you dont want to fix but it would be stupid not to

 

 

i did the same thing on my monte carlo...went to have it inspected with all the adapters to make things fit...it failed. Can't use compression fittings on brake lines is what the guy said.

 

MurCury....your not supposed to...says so on the compression fitting package BUT I work at advance and almost everyone who does brake work uses them. But we get some shady people in there so who knows.

 

Well, I'm going to go back to advanced auto today and try to locate the one fitting I'm missing. If I can find it, I'll have rear brakes again. If not...no rear brakes for a while.

I figure if I downshift the tranny and keep my distance in traffic I'll be ok. Wish me luck finding the last fitting!

 

Just make sure you ask the older looking "I've been working here for 10 years" parts guy at advance. Usually the most knowledgable guys are older and NOT managers. Most of the managers don't know much.


What fitting do you need exactly?