| Checking Brake Lines |
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As with fuel lines, brake lines should have tight fittings and no leaks. Once your car is up on stands for regular maintenance, inspecting the brake lines is an easy task. Numbered steps aren’t necessary here. You simply follow the line from behind each brake to the master cylinder in the engine compartment. You’ll probably do this as you inspect brakes (Semi-Annual Maintenance) and inspect fuel lines (above). You’re looking not only for loose fittings and obvious leaks, but also for damaged lines. Road debris such as large rocks can smack the underside of your car, possibly denting hydraulic lines and diminishing fluid flow to one or more brakes. Not good! Inspect, tighten, and replace (or have replaced) as needed. Car Alarm Brakes work until they don’t. Taking a few moments to inspect brake lines, parts, and brake fluid level can tell you if something is amiss. Brake line connections typically leak at a connection behind a wheel or at the master cylinder. Because brake fluid is a hydraulic fluid, a leak is easier to spot than a gas or water leak that quickly evaporates. Even if you don’t otherwise mess with your brake system, make sure you visually inspect it at least once or twice a year.
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Your car’s brake system uses hydraulic fluid to magnify your foot’s pressure to stop the car. In Driveway Maintenance you learned how to check brake fluids. You’re now going to inspect the lines and parts that do the actual work.
