Driving a Supra with leaky brake line advice?

Kevin · 04-20-2009, 03:59 PM

Hey im new to this. I will be buying a 1987 supra turbo tomorrow. I test drove it a few days ago and the owner said the rear brake line driver side is leaking so there is basically no brakes. i wanted to test drive it so i topped it off with as much fluid as i could then drove it.. you would have to start pumping the brakes from like 100ft away in order to stop. the e-brake on the car isnt working either (it needs a new cable). So tomorrow i wanna take it to my mechanic but itss 30 minutes away... do you think i can temporily fix it by taping up the leak real good and then bleeding all the brakes? i cant afford to get a tow truck so any other suggestions can help.

the leak is about half an inch long crack.
please help thank.

mastergrader007 · 04-20-2009, 04:54 PM

just pinch the brake line off before the leak with a pair of vice grips. ive done it before and worked fine, you just have 3 brakes instead of 4. make sure you get it fixed as soon as possible. good luck!

Kevin · 04-20-2009, 05:24 PM

Thanks. i dont leave the vise-grips on right? and do i bleed all the brakes first?

mirage83 · 04-20-2009, 05:53 PM

My suggestion would be to go ahead and replace all your brake lines with something like the Goodridge stainless steel lines. Not necessarily all at once since you have an immediate problem and are looking for a quick fix, but they're an easy replacement and very durable. Better yet, the rear lines on our Supra's are very easy to switch out, no need to pay a mechanic to do it unless you're really uncomfortable doing your own work.

And yes, in order to have the best braking ability possible I'd bleed them if you're going to drive it to a mechanic. But it won't last long since that line is leaking fluid out and air in every time you push on the brake pedal.

Kevin · 04-20-2009, 06:04 PM

Thanks. probably will replace all lines. but for now im gonna fix the leaky one. now should I bleed all the brakes before pinching the leaky line? or after.

mirage83 · 04-20-2009, 06:12 PM

Pinch off the line first, before you bleed. Otherwise you'll just be allowing more air into the system.

And yes, you'll need to leave the vice-grips on for the trip to make sure the line stays closed off and doesn't bleed out fluid on the way.

Not suggesting or recommending driving with your brakes in that condition, but if it's necessary that's how it needs to be done.

kwnate · 04-21-2009, 02:35 PM

find another car to buy.

04-20-2009, 03:59 PM	#1
Kevin 3" Exhaust Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 194	Driving a Supra with leaky brake line advice? Hey im new to this. I will be buying a 1987 supra turbo tomorrow. I test drove it a few days ago and the owner said the rear brake line driver side is leaking so there is basically no brakes. i wanted to test drive it so i topped it off with as much fluid as i could then drove it.. you would have to start pumping the brakes from like 100ft away in order to stop. the e-brake on the car isnt working either (it needs a new cable). So tomorrow i wanna take it to my mechanic but itss 30 minutes away... do you think i can temporily fix it by taping up the leak real good and then bleeding all the brakes? i cant afford to get a tow truck so any other suggestions can help. the leak is about half an inch long crack. please help thank.

04-21-2009, 02:35 PM	#7
kwnate SP58GT Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: USA Posts: 633	find another car to buy. __________________ Nate

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04-20-2009, 04:54 PM	#2
mastergrader007 3" Exhaust Join Date: May 2008 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 79	just pinch the brake line off before the leak with a pair of vice grips. ive done it before and worked fine, you just have 3 brakes instead of 4. make sure you get it fixed as soon as possible. good luck!

04-20-2009, 05:24 PM	#3
Kevin 3" Exhaust Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 194	Thanks. i dont leave the vise-grips on right? and do i bleed all the brakes first?

04-20-2009, 05:53 PM	#4
mirage83 12psi boost Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Georgia Posts: 359	My suggestion would be to go ahead and replace all your brake lines with something like the Goodridge stainless steel lines. Not necessarily all at once since you have an immediate problem and are looking for a quick fix, but they're an easy replacement and very durable. Better yet, the rear lines on our Supra's are very easy to switch out, no need to pay a mechanic to do it unless you're really uncomfortable doing your own work. And yes, in order to have the best braking ability possible I'd bleed them if you're going to drive it to a mechanic. But it won't last long since that line is leaking fluid out and air in every time you push on the brake pedal.

04-20-2009, 06:04 PM	#5
Kevin 3" Exhaust Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 194	Thanks. probably will replace all lines. but for now im gonna fix the leaky one. now should I bleed all the brakes before pinching the leaky line? or after.

04-20-2009, 06:12 PM	#6
mirage83 12psi boost Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Georgia Posts: 359	Pinch off the line first, before you bleed. Otherwise you'll just be allowing more air into the system. And yes, you'll need to leave the vice-grips on for the trip to make sure the line stays closed off and doesn't bleed out fluid on the way. Not suggesting or recommending driving with your brakes in that condition, but if it's necessary that's how it needs to be done.