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[grifter]

My mate has a vectra, think it's 03 plate. He has a leak on the rear brake pipe. Had a look for him and it is leaking right in the middle under the subframe tank area - the pipe that goes from side to side. I can just see the bit where it is soaking wet with fluid. He got the pipe and I had a go at trying to change it but no avail.

I said what we could do is leave the old pipe in, as it looks so inaccessible, and just reroute the new pipe from one side to another but even the join at the driver side is tucked away up the back side of the suspension arm and couldn't get to it.

Anyone changed one of these and is there a way to get to the join without stripping half the back end off?

Thanks

[Doctor Gollum]

You'll need to drop the subframe. Spring compressors to remove the springs (access permitting) and remove the lower shock bolts. Then should only be four bolts to drop it enough to gai access.

Probably get away with leaving the trailing arms attached to the chassis

[grifter]

You'll need to drop the subframe. Spring compressors to remove the springs (access permitting) and remove the lower shock bolts. Then should only be four bolts to drop it enough to gai access.

Probably get away with leaving the trailing arms attached to the chassis

Wow just to change a brake pipe, heavens above. Mind you I was expecting it was going to be something like that. Thanks for information 

[Doctor Gollum]

You'll need to drop the subframe. Spring compressors to remove the springs (access permitting) and remove the lower shock bolts. Then should only be four bolts to drop it enough to gai access.

Probably get away with leaving the trailing arms attached to the chassis

Wow just to change a brake pipe, heavens above. Mind you I was expecting it was going to be something like that. Thanks for information 

Bah. Makes perfect sense when you consider how the thing is put together at the factory

[grifter]

You'll need to drop the subframe. Spring compressors to remove the springs (access permitting) and remove the lower shock bolts. Then should only be four bolts to drop it enough to gai access.

Probably get away with leaving the trailing arms attached to the chassis

Wow just to change a brake pipe, heavens above. Mind you I was expecting it was going to be something like that. Thanks for information 

Bah. Makes perfect sense when you consider how the thing is put together at the factory

Does leave a lot to be said for the designers though lol

[Doctor Gollum]

Why Brake lines aren't service items, they're designed to last the life of the car... ie 8 years/100k so obviously will be fitted to the shell before the running gear as that's the most efficient way to build it.

Been that way since Henry Ford Snr

[Nick W]

Why Brake lines aren't service items, they're designed to last the life of the car... ie 8 years/100k so obviously will be fitted to the shell before the running gear as that's the most efficient way to build it.

Been that way since Henry Ford Snr

Exactly.
Although I share Grifter's pain in having to do a couple of hours work to replace a £4 brake pipe

[ted_one]

My Elite brake pipes were 15 years old and were made of cheese.....gave up pretty easy

[Gaffers]

From memory you can do it without dropping anything major like the subframes so long as you don't pre-shape the pipe but rather (and very carefully feed it though and bend when/where necessary)  I did this back in 2004 with my then Vectra.  Make sure you have a bending tool and a flaring kit, both are inexpensive (next to paying a garage to do this for you) and make it a lot easier.

[grifter]

Why Brake lines aren't service items, they're designed to last the life of the car... ie 8 years/100k so obviously will be fitted to the shell before the running gear as that's the most efficient way to build it.

Been that way since Henry Ford Snr

Don't think i've ever came across a brake pipe I couldn't simply remove and unclip without having to remove other items. Granted on the cavy the front to back pipe loops up under the edge of the tank but you can pull it straight out over the top.

[Doctor Gollum]

From memory you can do it without dropping anything major like the subframes so long as you don't pre-shape the pipe but rather (and very carefully feed it though and bend when/where necessary)  I did this back in 2004 with my then Vectra.  Make sure you have a bending tool and a flaring kit, both are inexpensive (next to paying a garage to do this for you) and make it a lot easier.

Vectra C has different rear end, access over the top of the subframe is tight.

[grifter]

From memory you can do it without dropping anything major like the subframes so long as you don't pre-shape the pipe but rather (and very carefully feed it though and bend when/where necessary)  I did this back in 2004 with my then Vectra.  Make sure you have a bending tool and a flaring kit, both are inexpensive (next to paying a garage to do this for you) and make it a lot easier.

Vectra C has different rear end, access over the top of the subframe is tight.

Yep did see that it was a pita.