Replace rubber brake lines, yea or nay?

[02FailBlazer]

2002 TB LTZ, 4WD, 198K miles.

Overhauling my brakes soon, wondering if I should replace the rubber brake lines. Pretty sure they're all original. I don't have any reason to believe any of them have failed or are seriously deteriorated, this would be a purely preventative measure. Is it worth the extra money and effort?

This has been a California car its whole life, and an inland one at that, so there's as little rust and deterioration as you could ever reasonably expect for a 24 year old vehicle. Things are generally in good shape.

 

[flyboy2610]

Personally, I would. If you're overhauling the brakes anyway it would be worth doing the whole thing.
But that's just me.

 

[Beacon]

I second that, especially if your fluid is getting dark, might as well replace them and flush everything

 

[movietvet]

By "overhaul my brakes" are you meaning pads and rotors and all calipers and master cylinder? If you are doing all that, do the lines. Especially if you plan to keep the TB.

Your screen name makes me feel that you have had some bad times with the TB. Are you on the other side of all that and gonna keep it? If you are not keeping the TB, doing the lines will not get you more money but most certainly save you some headaches. Afterall, the wear and tear of the brake lines is usually on the inside, especially in the climate you are in.

Are you doing the steel lines and rubber hoses or stainless braided hoses?

 

[BrianF]

Its not a bad thing. Seeing as you are not in the rust belt, its likely it will be an easy job.

 

[Mooseman]

And they're not overly expensive. You could get yourself all 4 for under $100. I also vote change 'em.

 

[02FailBlazer]

By "overhaul my brakes" are you meaning pads and rotors and all calipers and master cylinder? If you are doing all that, do the lines. Especially if you plan to keep the TB.

Your screen name makes me feel that you have had some bad times with the TB. Are you on the other side of all that and gonna keep it? If you are not keeping the TB, doing the lines will not get you more money but most certainly save you some headaches. Afterall, the wear and tear of the brake lines is usually on the inside, especially in the climate you are in.

Are you doing the steel lines and rubber hoses or stainless braided hoses?

Wasn't planning on doing the master cylinder or calipers, just pads, rotors, fluid change, and slide pin boots since those are cheap and easy. It's never leaked brake fluid and I looked the steel lines over whenever I had the chance to get a close look and I haven't found any areas that looked really concerning, cars last forever out here.

I'm keeping the TB, but it's a second car now and is being relegated to severe weather/off-road/backup use, it's not a daily driver anymore. I just want it in reasonably reliable, drive-able condition, doesn't need to be perfect.

 

[movietvet]

Wasn't planning on doing the master cylinder or calipers, just pads, rotors, fluid change, and slide pin boots since those are cheap and easy. It's never leaked brake fluid and I looked the steel lines over whenever I had the chance to get a close look and I haven't found any areas that looked really concerning, cars last forever out here.

I'm keeping the TB, but it's a second car now and is being relegated to severe weather/off-road/backup use, it's not a daily driver anymore. I just want it in reasonably reliable, drive-able condition, doesn't need to be perfect.

Overhauling brakes means something different to me. But I also was in shops for 40+ years. Your overhaul is "friction materials replacement with a fluid flush added on. I have always felt that the brake system on ANY vehicle, is the single most important system. Don't care about the other systems but when you apply the brakes, it BETTER stop.