another question 86 El Camino rear brake lines

Has anyone replaced the rear brake lines and if so is it very difficult...I can have it done for $75.00 ea... but if its not hard I'd rather do it myself...any special tools..?

Which lines are you referring to and what brought you to the conclusion this needed to be done?

Assuming yours is the same as an 84, you have one rigid line going to the rear and two more rigid lines, each feeding a brake. Connecting them all is a flex line which allows the rear differential to move independently from the frame. You may need it all or possibly just a flex line.

If you just need the flex line, I have a new stainless steel braided one (Russell) I can save you some money on.

Either way, it's something you can do with a little help. Give us a little more detail and an indication of how mechanically inclined you are. We can advise you mo better.

Take care.

ok thanks...the brake pedal has been acting kinda odd lately.. sometimes it seems to go down alot further until I release the pedal and put my foot on the brake again then it seems fine, and today when I parked it I looked underneath the car and seen brake fluid dripping from the metal line near the drivers rear . I have replaced the brake shoes,pads and rotors and one time and I have done work on cars like replacing the intake manifold,fuel pumps, carbs, lifters and push rods ... so I'm not a total novice just never did this before.

Dave,

So I'll take that as kind of a novice, but willing to get dirty and learn and do.

Ok, now get dirty a little and confirm exactly where the fluid is coming from. It may be a line, or a fitting, or the terminating actuator in the wheel hub known the wheel cylinder. If you have fluid contaminating the brake shoes you'll have to replace them - both sides.

Once you know and have determined to do it yourself, buy a shop manual for $20 and it will walk you step-by-step. You need one anyway.

If you need a flex line, give me a hollar if you want SS braided and I'll try to help. Rigid lines may have to be ordered and you can decide if you want stainless or aluminum. There are also special hydraulic line wrenches (cheap) that will protect the fittings if necessary. Wheel cylinders are cheap at almost any parts place.

Since you are a conscientious and thorough person, you'll also buy a whole quart of DOT 3 brake fluid so you can flush the whole brake system with nice clean stuff and get rid of all that rusty coffee in your system. There are a lot of wise folks on this Forum who may have other input.

Does this help?

Take care.

sounds reasonable... I already have the wrenches and the rear of the wheel / drum is dry... I will have to track it down and see where its coming from.. thanks alot

It could very well be a brake line or brake hose,especially a 18+ year old car from the midwest. Heck,on my old '83 elco I think I replaced most of the brake system.

Did you replace the wheel cylinders on the rear? One thing to check is that the backing plates aren't rusted through where the wheel cylinder goes through and clips on. This will cause the wheel cylinder to keep popping out,leaving you with a mess of brake fluid (ask me how I know). If the backing plates happen to be rusted,you can get them at the parts store,they even make a 2-piece one so you don't have to remove the axle shafts.