Member Since: 04 Mar 2009
Location: Grenoble
Posts: 116
Do I need new brake pipes?
Hi folks. After some pearls of wisdom please... I took the car to the local LR dealer for an unrelated issue with the transmission and while there they told me I need new brake flexible hoses, pipes and new fluid.
Total cost £1150 - this is France....
Only thing is it just did French MOT and not even an advisory but LR say it's borderline dangerous. I don't think they have ever been changed.
Any thoughts from those who know about this sort of thing?
Thanks.
PS the garage sent me these pictures so must feel it's proof - I have no idea what the last one is even....
TDV6 HSE AUTO
Defender 90 CSW
13th Nov 2017 1:15 pm
grzesiul
Member Since: 11 May 2008
Location: UK
Posts: 6266
I had advisory on MoT in UK on similar issues a few years back
weirdly to me it was surface rust only and after some TLC with sand paper and black hammerite there was no advisory next year at all and I do not see any advisories on MOT history since sold the car
that L bend section looks very rusty and I would inspect it very closely to be sure it has not gone too deep but if olny surface rust ....
13th Nov 2017 1:20 pm
OJ
Member Since: 01 Oct 2017
Location: Loch Leven
Posts: 725
Depends, ? What price would you put on your life or others, if the pipes are corroded to the point of imminent brake failure its a No brainer, change them! Get an independent LR specialist with a good track record and they will be lots cheaper than LR.
OJ
13th Nov 2017 1:21 pm
GrenobleLandy
Member Since: 04 Mar 2009
Location: Grenoble
Posts: 116
Thanks guys.
OJ you have nailed the problem in one. There is no indépendant LR (or anyone with diagnostics) within 100km of me. The LR gareage just reopened a couple of months ago and until then it was 60km away. It's been serviced by a Toyota indépendant for last 7 years since LR Grenoble closed down and he says the pipes are fine but will check again - full service in September.
I totally am prepared to spend to keep everyone safe (big reason for buying in first place) but don't want to waste money. Since they have it for gearbox I'm wondering whether or not to authorise work.
CheersTDV6 HSE AUTO
Defender 90 CSW
13th Nov 2017 1:29 pm
OJ
Member Since: 01 Oct 2017
Location: Loch Leven
Posts: 725
If it was me I’d replace the rusted pipes when at the dealer, I cant see how this was not flagged up to you when serviced, I’m sure this would have been an MOT fail category in the UK.
Hope you get on OK.
OJ
13th Nov 2017 1:41 pm
highlands
Member Since: 11 Jan 2010
Location: NW Highlands
Posts: 5095
I changed all my brake pipes, hoses, etc from the centre of the car rearwards.
Total cost of parts and fluid change was under £150.
I wouldn't expect an independent to charge more than a couple of hundred for the labour.
As it is, the rust looks likely to be pretty superficial.
Wouldn't need a LR dealer or independent to do the work; just an honest mechanic.
As for 'what price would you put on your life or others'...
In this instance, in all likelihood...£1 of fine sandpaper and £5 of Hammerite. Black 05 TDV6 HSE Auto
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13th Nov 2017 1:43 pm
waterbuoy
Member Since: 26 Oct 2013
Location: Argyll
Posts: 2862
Rear brake pipes corroding is a pretty common scenario to be honest - mine is on its third set and is an '09 model. However, the issue is very much at the rear end - the front sections of the original steel pipes usually last much longer. A 'standard' technique is to cut the pipes (I think under front seats) and then let in a new section of copper pipe from there to the rear. My main dealer did this first time round.Currently 2009 Disco 3 SE, 2013 MY D4 HSE and 2016 D4 SE
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13th Nov 2017 1:45 pm
highlands
Member Since: 11 Jan 2010
Location: NW Highlands
Posts: 5095
OJ-LR4 wrote:
If it was me I’d replace the rusted pipes when at the dealer, I cant see how this was not flagged up to you when serviced, I’m sure this would have been an MOT fail category in the UK.
Hope you get on OK.
OJ
It would be an advisory here, if you hadn't already rubbed off the worst of the surface rust.
It does not look that bad.
Many dealers would advise changing tyres at 7.5mm tread if they could get away with it.Black 05 TDV6 HSE Auto
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13th Nov 2017 1:46 pm
GrenobleLandy
Member Since: 04 Mar 2009
Location: Grenoble
Posts: 116
Great answers guys - thanks very much.
LR guy now says it isn't safe to go down hill from ski resorts and my indépendant Toyota guy says BS...
Think I will get the gearbox sorted and take back to trusted Toyota indépendant to check again and do whatever is required. Only one other issue to sort now TDV6 HSE AUTO
Defender 90 CSW
13th Nov 2017 1:52 pm
L319
Member Since: 14 Dec 2013
Location: Herefordshire
Posts: 2080
I had an advisory on my Brake pipe on a Rover 75 car, asked if it was really serious and was told no, it would clean up with a wire brush and coat of paint. Three months later, total brake failure! I would be replace.
13th Nov 2017 2:06 pm
GrenobleLandy
Member Since: 04 Mar 2009
Location: Grenoble
Posts: 116
Yep I think that at 12 years old and extremely salty roads then it needs to be done just in case as some roads here become extreme in winter. Will let the Indy do it though.
Thanks again fellas.TDV6 HSE AUTO
Defender 90 CSW
13th Nov 2017 2:33 pm
OJ
Member Since: 01 Oct 2017
Location: Loch Leven
Posts: 725
highlands wrote:
OJ-LR4 wrote:
If it was me I’d replace the rusted pipes when at the dealer, I cant see how this was not flagged up to you when serviced, I’m sure this would have been an MOT fail category in the UK.
Hope you get on OK.
OJ
It would be an advisory here, if you hadn't already rubbed off the worst of the surface rust.
It does not look that bad.
Many dealers would advise changing tyres at 7.5mm tread if they could get away with it.
Specsavers ?
Is it worth the risk? Serious and imminent failure!
13th Nov 2017 5:39 pm
pjm-84
Member Since: 04 Oct 2016
Location: Hampshire
Posts: 2436
Having just replaced mine I would say yes. I knew of two places that concerned me due to bulging and indentation in the metal.
When the pipes were removed there was not a lot of strength left. Folded like wet cardboard
Pain in the backside but doable for a DIY. Join under the resonator box.
13th Nov 2017 6:45 pm
OJ
Member Since: 01 Oct 2017
Location: Loch Leven
Posts: 725
13th Nov 2017 6:55 pm
highlands
Member Since: 11 Jan 2010
Location: NW Highlands
Posts: 5095
OJ-LR4 wrote:
Specsavers ?
Is it worth the risk? Serious and imminent failure!
You can say 'Specsavers' all you want but they do look very bad very easily and on most occasions they clean up and are found to be fine.
If, having cleaned them up it was just surface furring they could well be absolutely fine for quite some years.
If it were an £1150 quote I'd want to know that it was actually an issue.
Of course, £1150 is worth spending if it'll save your life.
But £1150 doesn't need to be spent.
As it was, I had a similar decision with my D3 and I spent the £150 and a few hours on the driveway to change ALL my rear lines & hoses.Black 05 TDV6 HSE Auto
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