1999 SL1 rear brake line split - has the end come for the trusty Saturn?

[daven123]

I had to stop suddenly yesterday due to a highway accident further ahead, and for a split second the brakes worked fine, and then the pedal went to the floor. The driver side rear brake line has a large (spraying) leak when the pedal is pushed (about underneath the driver seat), the line is most likely split.

Question 1 - Since the brake lines are redundant (I think front vs. back), why did the pedal go to the floor when the line split? It still goes to the floor even after I topped off the fluid. If I push it hard to the floor it still applies the brakes, but does not put a lot of pressure on the brakes.

Question 2 - The formed brake line kits I've located online are just for models that have ABS, and one manufacturer confirmed that it's just for use on ABS models. I'm pretty sure mine does not have ABS. Anyone know of a kit that is for non-ABS models, and/or how to apply it to a non-ABS car? How different are the brake lines for ABS models?

Hoping the end hasn't come for the trusty Saturn.

Thanks,
Dave
1999 SL1
358K miles, still original clutch.

[VUEmaniac]

You can buy standard steel brake lines of the appropriate size and bend it to shape. Any competent mechanic will be able to knock that out in no time and it shouldn't be very costly. You just need a tubing cutter and the tool to flare the ends once you cut it to length and bend into the same shape as the original. Less than an hour's work.

Best,

[Waiex191]

Steel lines suck. Search for nicopp brake lines on the forum and you will find lots of good info. I've redone both my S Series, and one Buick.

[Waiex191]

Here, read this post. Has some links.
http://www.saturnfans.com/forums/sho...39&postcount=3

Also here is my search:
https://www.google.com/search?q=site...obile&ie=UTF-8

[daven123]

Thanks for the replies and information. Does anyone have any thoughts on why the pedal goes to the floor even though from what I read the brake lines are divided front to back? Would something else also have to be malfunctioning, such as the master cylinder or a problem with the front brakes?
I was not losing brake fluid before this happened. Or can it happen for some other reason even though the brake system is redundant? I'm not sure exactly how redundancy works since whenever brake pads are replaced the brakes have to be pumped to purge air and pressurize the system(?).
Thanks for your help.

[Waiex191]

A cut and paste from one of the links:

Every car I've ever owned with dual circuit brakes has the pedal go to the floor when you blow one system. True all the way back to the 60's models. I think it's designed to be scary.

Same thing with my $200 Buick. Fix the lines, replace any other bad parts, bleed the system, good to go.

[daven123]

Thanks Waiex191!

[TomM96]

Given the age of the vehicle, maybe check ALL steel lines, and replace any that seem suspect.

The failed line yesterday could be the indicator flag that saves your butt
tomorrow.

While we're at it...
you might want to renew the Master Cylinder -- at 50kMI you Need replace the MC if it has not been renewed all ready.