Brake Pipe

September 25, 2006

Just got car back from mot (passed !!) and advised that the front to rear steel brake pipe is starting to rust. Does anyone know what I should be looking at (bit of a numpty past the basics) and the dimensions for the Mk1 Avensis and also if I will need anything else replaced at the same time.

September 25, 2006

Just got car back from mot (passed !!) and advised that the front to rear steel brake pipe is starting to rust. Does anyone know what I should be looking at (bit of a numpty past the basics) and the dimensions for the Mk1 Avensis and also if I will need anything else replaced at the same time.

Hi,

I had the same 'Advisory' notice at my last MOT. I had the car serviced and the mechanic simply cleaned up the pipes and greased it. It's not a big deal to have it replaced. I believe it comes on a roll.

September 25, 2006

The front-to-rear brake pipes (there are two - one for each rear wheel) on the Toyotas are renouned MOT failures. Unless you have workshop quality/hydraulic flaring tools the steel pipes cannot be patched up. They begin to rust in several places anyway!! They really need to be replaced from the engine bay to the rear flexies - Both should be done at the same time and they are each about 14 feet long. If you have gotten a Pass with an advisory this year the chances are it WILL fail next year.

Putting grease/waxoyl on the pipes is an option but I think its a waste of time. The replacement pipes (which come on a roll from any motor factor) will last the life of the car.

I've had to do it on all four of my previous Toyotas. Without a ramp it will take more than half a day. Not a job for a novice. The off-side pipe needs clamping to brackets above/behind the petrol tank. There is a plastic mud guard running the length of the car which will also need removing. The bolts which hold this on usually snap so cable ties are needed to reconnect the guard. The layout is identical to the Carina E but the job isn't covered in Haynes Manuals etc.

September 26, 2006

Any idea of the cost - I presume the pipes are cheap just fitting them with the work involved is a git.

Should I tell the wife to put the new sofa on hold !!!

September 26, 2006

The pipes cost me about £10-15 and the fluid another £2.

It all depends upon the labour rates and what you ask to be done.

Most garages will have the equipment to replace short sections of the rusted steel pipe. A patch-up job won't be too expensive - but when it rusts further along the pipe you will have to pay again.

I would estimate that a reputable garage would quote the above for parts and about 3-4 hours labour for the FULL job. About 1-1.5 hours for a patch-up.