Buick LeSabre Brake Lines
The Buick LeSabre is a comfortable sedan that had a production run from 1959 to 2005. While focusing on keeping your car running is important, remember that safely stopping is just as important as going. Here is a guide to finding appropriate brake lines for your year of LeSabre.
What do Buick brake lines do?Brake lines in your vehicle move hydraulic fluid from the master cylinder, where it is stored, to the brake components. The compression power of the hydraulic fluid offers a lot of mechanical advantage when it comes to stopping your Buick LeSabre.
Can you replace brake hoses yourself?Replacing the brake lines on your model Buick is not a difficult job, but it is a critical one. Although its never a bad idea to have your LeSabre serviced by a qualified professional, you can get the job done yourself if you have some basic automotive repair knowledge and the right tools. If any of the tools on this list are foreign to you, take your car to a repair technician. A brake line job on your car may require the following tools:
- Brake flaring kit and cutting tool
- Pipe bender
- Appropriate end fittings
- Deburring tool
- Wrench set
While genuine Buick replacement parts are likely to fit your car without problems, brake hoses are standard equipment on all models of vehicles. Any high-quality metal brake line will work on your LeSabre sedan and provide several years of reliable service if properly installed.
Do you have any tips for making the installation easier?No matter what the job, its always easier with the right tools and the help of an experienced friend. You can rent brake line cutters and flares from your local auto parts store that will make installation much simpler. The trick to successfully installing new brake lines on your Buick LeSabre is to remove the old ones carefully and save them. Use these old lines as a template for shaping and properly routing the new lines. Doing so ensures that you get the perfect shape for running the lines around any obstacles or corners. It also lets you form and shape the new brake line on your workbench rather than while laying on the ground under the car.
What materials are brake lines made from?Brake lines can be made of a number of different materials:
- Steel:Steel is a common choice due to its durability and strength.
- Braided stainless steel: This offers the strength and corrosion resistance of steel with the flexibility of plastic tubing. They are made of woven steel encasing soft, flexible tubing.