Brake line leak...what is this part?

[John Deere Boy]

There are shotgun shell shaped cartridges in the rear brake lines just under the rear driver side door, and one of them went kablooey. What are they? (don't have my fsms with me, and can't drive the car back home to get them!)

[Bonneville92V688]

I think they are proportioning valves. And the last time I recall seeing them on here, they were expensive.

EDIT - http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/x,carco ... ttype,1888

Yup, they are $32 a piece.

[John Deere Boy]

Thanks! It turns out thought that it was the line leaking, right by the fitting. I think i might pickup one of those and replace it anyway since it looks so bad. I'm going to try one of those compression brake line patches so i don't have to replace the whole line. Are the compression patches ok, or do i need to flare the lines?

[00Beast]

I would flare the lines, but I'm paranoid...

[1oldman]

00beast is not paranoid about the fairing. It will save you a ton of grief. - JMHO - BC

[LeSabre in Buffalo]

Compression fittings on brake lines mean you're ending up in a collision since it blows off under brake system pressure. Compression fittings are fine for fuel systems but not for brake systems, which have 10-20x the pressures of a fuel system in a panic stop.

They make double-flare to bubble-flare lines that are available for cheap at about any parts store. Double-flare the cut-off end on the factory brake line, then use that to connect in your piece of line with a union fitting.

[John Deere Boy]

Thanks for the advice. Unfortunately i headed to the parts store before checking in here and the parts store guys said compression would be fine. I made a couple panic stops last night, and pumped up as much pressure on the pedal as i could and it hasn't blown off yet, but i guess i better re-do it.

[LeSabre in Buffalo]

Parts store guy is wrong and potentially liable in NY if he knowingly sold a compression fitting for use on brake lines. With the annual state safety/emissions inspections here, if the inspector spots a compression fitting on the brake lines it's an automatic fail for safety. If they see a double-flare union they permit that if there is no evidence of leaking.

[J Wikoff]

If you get new valves, pay close attention to how the old ones are pointing. If you're patching in new lines, it's not self explanatory.

[lackawanna1701]

Though I know I'm going to get grilled by saying this: The warbird doesn't have those valves on the new rear lines! I had to replace almost the entire brake system two years back and couldn't find any info on these things (mid project). Its not so bad at all! Oh yea NYS inspections are the biggest scam law in place! Totaly unfair to us over here!

[Bonneville92V688]

I believe they only came on cars with ABS. Non ABS cars don't have them if I am correct. I can't be certain on that though.

[John Deere Boy]

Yeah i love indiana...we can get away with anything here. Neons, tint, rolling black smoke, you name it. But i sure as hell don't want to wreck because of my own crumby repair job.