Yesterday I went to get it aligned and as i'm driving out of the parking lot the brake pedal goes almost to the floor. So, I bring it back and park it and look underneath and see brake fluid flowing from underneath the middle of the car. I got the manager and he brings like 4 others with him to all look. They tell me that they have to stand on the brakes really hard to do an alignment, I don't know if this is true or not. At this point, I look at him and say it was working when i brought it in. They all have a little conference and then pay for it to have it towed to my garage and are paying for the line replacement. I'm guessing this is not the first time it ever happened. I also know I'm pretty lucky it happened there given they are 17 year old brake lines

 

Yup, good that this happened how and when it did. It could just as easily have been the next day or next week when YOU needed to stand on the brakes for an emergency stop...then YOU would be paying for the brake hose and possibly making an insurance claim due to the ensuing crash.

You really came out on top in this particular case. The shop is paying for a repair that, in all reality, they probably shouldn't be paying for and a potentially fatal weak spot was brought to the surface before something bad happened

I'd pay to have the other 3 brakes hoses replaced at the same time.

Cheers
DD

 

I've never done an alignment, but why would they need to stand on the brakes to do an alignment? I've seen the brace they wedge against the brake pedal to keep the wheel locked in place, but do they really need stomp on the brakes?

 

Beats me, I was wondering that as well, but since they were volunteering to pay I nodded and said thank you. I thought someone here might know. I am having the other lines replaced.

 

I'm with Doug on this.

Also I see no need to stomp on brakes fpr alignment. None of teh shops that do mine do that.

Grants rule of thumb for brakes, some listen, some dont:

New hoses every 4th set of pads.
New fluid every 2 years.

Since I average 40K kms per year (I'm "older", and little peak traffic driving), and pads last me 40+kms, it is NO big deal, and the peace of mind is PRICELESS.

Both my kids do the same, coz Dad said so. More peace of mind for me, winner all round.

 

I'm a bit confused. Brake fluid from the middle of the car? Are we talking about steel brake lines or the rubber hoses at the calipers?


I had a caliper seize, so I decided it was time after 17 years to be thorough. The rear pads said Jaguar on them, making me think...Could this be a factory pad?


Out with everything. Bearings, rotors, calipers, pads and rubber hoses. I didn't replace any steel brake lines as my car lived it's entire life in the California desert. Completely rust free. Now I don't have to worry.


Now, about those aftermarket coil packs.....AArrgh

 

It was one of the steel lines that blew out or probably rusted out. This car has spent its whole life in New England, the home of salted roads. After I talked to my shop I am having the caliper lines replaced as well. The tire shop called me after they got the estimate for the steel lines, must be much cheaper for american cars. We are now splitting the cost and I'm getting all lines done, which I probably would have needed to do in the future anyway.

 

Ahhhh.

This is something we don't hear about very often. The rubber hoses are discussed often but not the hard lines. Probably a good reminder for all of us to inspect them from time-to-time!

Cheers
DD

 

Agreed.

The mud clears a tad.

As Doug said, when the known area of any car is as stated, do the obvious.

No such road treatment down here, luckily.

Now I reckon you are VERY lucky the aligners are paying for it, enjoy.

 

Well, not fixed yet, no lines are to be found at Jaguar dealers in new england and SNG Barratt in NH is going back to the mothership in the UK, he may end up making them if it takes too long

 

Many towns have an outfit like this that can make up any hose and pipe you can dream of....

Just Right Auto Repair: NW Tubes N Hoses

....might be worth some Googling.

Cheers
DD

 

An aside question, are our factory 'rubber' lines from the hardline to the wheel just reinforced rubber, or braided stainless, or?

 

I have watch and closely observed the changing geometry during alignments by the best alignment guy in New Brunswick, Canada. Not once did he or anyone else stand or pump breaks, no need.

___________
James Dow
Saint John, N.B.
1996 xj6 vdp

 

Finally got all the lines from the UK on Monday and they were installed, Hopefully they last another 15 years :-)