is it possible to reroute the rear brake lines on a 2003 ford expedition

[Sue Brown]

need to see if I can find a fix for my brake line leak above the fuel tank. I am older and not a lot of funds. love my expedition but cannot afford to pay what mechanics want to drop fuel tank and replace rear brake lines. so it is possible to reroute lines... thanks. sue

 

[johnboneske]

Of course you can! Just get the right size line, flare ends and a flaring tool and install a new line next to the old one. Use some zip strips to hold it next to the old one, and all should be good...

 

[Sue Brown]

wow you make it sound easy, cannot follow old one, it goes between the gas tank and the frame and has some sort of spliter thing. but I will look again. thanks. I was not sure if there was reason it was so hidden other than so I cannot easily replace, or if the lines to both rear wheels had to be the same length or??

 

[Habbibie]

wow you make it sound easy, cannot follow old one, it goes between the gas tank and the frame and has some sort of spliter thing. but I will look again. thanks. I was not sure if there was reason it was so hidden other than so I cannot easily replace, or if the lines to both rear wheels had to be the same length or??

You could cut it before it goes over the tank and add a newly rerouted line, reattach it where ever u want before it goes into the brake caliper it doesn’t matter the length between rear left or right as long as you bleed them in the correct order (right rear, left rear, front right & finally front left)

It’s hidden cause it’s called job security lol just make sure your new line doesn’t hang to low that any debris can snap it off

 

[Sue Brown]

that is something I can try for sure. thanks. I need all the help I can get. love my old expedition but they sure don't make them like when my father and brothers taught me to .. I was taught to work on them in the good old days.

thanks for the order of bleeding I did not know that. be safe.

 

[Big Brian]

be careful when you bleed it and dont let the brake pedal go all the way to the floor, you risk ruining the master cylinder by pushing the seals farther then they normally travel and can get into the accumulated gunk that collects in the far end of the cylinder.

I would gravity bleed it first, it will take some time and effort since you have an empty brake line. Use short strokes of the brake pedal to get the fluid moving

Best way is to power bleed it, there are a few ways to do this. You can use a Mity Vac type of bleeder, they have one similar at Harbor Freight etc which is one way to do it

 

[johnboneske]

Make sure to start bleeding at the right rear, then left rear...furthest from the master cylinder first.

 

[stamp11127]

There is more to it than just replacing the line if bends are needed. The first few flares you make will usually suck and leak. Hydraulic hard lines need to be almost perfect in order to not leak. Do you need single flare or double flare tools? Will you need a tubing bender? Do you have the flare nut wrenches needed for tightening the lines?

 

[CaptOchs]

I don't often say this, but go to Autozone! They have this flexible brake line that is similar to a copper ice maker tubing. It's made for brake lines though. You can bend it easily by hand to get it to fit anywhere. I also rented a flaring kit from them for free (with deposit.)

https://www.autozone.com/brakes-and...copp-brake-line/73307_413030_3054_90083_90188

 

[Big Brian]

nothing wrong with the bendable lines, I used them for years and still do

As far as the flaring, if you don't know how to do it you can just get an assortment of line lengths and some unions and get it close enough to fit, then take back the stuff you don't use

 

[MrDoc]

I know it's been a while but I was hoping to see (or at least hear) what the final result was. I have to replace the line going back to the rear on the driver side and thought it best to do the rear passenger side as well while I was at it. I would have loved to hear the route that you used to place your new line and how you secured it.

 

[Retiredusps]

There might be a union close to the front along frame rail. Also there are plenty of hole in the frame rail come to the outside then find one in the rear and feed thru to inside of frame.You can by the bendable line in different lengths and get them as close to your measurements.You will need about 3 couplers.