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Mini Landie

Member Since: 23 Sep 2015
Location: Basingstoke Massiff
Posts: 159

OSR brake fluid leak at pipe-caliper fitting

Hoping you can help. I’ve recently driven over 1,600mi to do the NC500, driving up from Hampshire. I had no real issues the whole way around (tbh I skipped the southern section, just doing the east>north>west coasts). On the way back from Skye/Glenfinnan Viaduct/Glencoe, I suffered brake failure. Fortunately it happened around 60mph on a not-particularly-busy A74(M).

I’ve attached a photo of where exactly the leak is coming from. I’ve put a brake line spanner on it to try to tighten it up and it already feels solid. Is this something that you do up by taking the caliper off the hub and twisting it onto the copper brake line thread?

Side note, I recently had copper brake lines and calipers replaced by my local well-rated Landy specialist, whom I’ve used many times before. I do wonder if it’s poor materials or workmanship in this instance, but after covering probably close to 2,000mi since that work was done, I’m dubious that it’s their fault.

Second side note, I did drive into a gnarly pothole filled with water in Scotland. It was such a hard hit that my head unit popped out of the dash (although it was only half-secured in, that had never happened before). The pothole was on the nearside, though. Thankfully I’ve got steel wheels and knobbly 265/75/16 KM3s that soaked up much of the impact!

Click image to enlarge 2003 90 TD5 Hardtop

25th Aug 2024 10:02am

landy andy

Member Since: 15 Feb 2009
Location: Ware, Herts
Posts: 5695

2006 Defender 110 Td5 USW Zermatt Silver

The pipe, and fitting doesn’t look new, or like it has been fiddled with, so doubt it is the recent work that has caused this. I would suggest it just needs tightening, but as you have tried this I’d suggest loosening it, then retightening it. Possibly you brake failure was due to loosing too much brake fluid, and if so you need to bleed the brake system now, and also investigate why the warning didn’t show on your dash from the level switch on your brake master cylinder.

25th Aug 2024 10:37am

blackwolf

Member Since: 03 Nov 2009
Location: South West England
Posts: 17372

2007 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 DCPU Stornoway Grey

Agree that it doesn't look new but also it doesn't look well formed, the pipe should be straight where it enters the pipe nut and that has a pronounced bend. It's also hard to understand why it has started leaking if the pipe nut is tight.

As Landy Andy says try loosening the nut and retightening it, but if that doesn't work find a local garage which can make a new pipe. There is nothing special about the pipe and it is one of the easiest on the vehicle to replace.

25th Aug 2024 10:57am

revd

Member Since: 20 Apr 2024
Location: England
Posts: 115

Pound to a penny the copper pipe has fractured and no amount of tightening will help

25th Aug 2024 11:05am

Mini Landie

Member Since: 23 Sep 2015
Location: Basingstoke Massiff
Posts: 159

Thanks, chaps. I'll have a go at loosening it and re-tightening it tomorrow, and go through the bleeding procedure. That's always a lot of fun!

The brake fluid level warning light did indeed come on. 2003 90 TD5 Hardtop

25th Aug 2024 2:49pm

TexasRover

Member Since: 24 Nov 2022
Location: Paris
Posts: 1048

2002 Defender 110 Td5 DCPU Chawton White

You recently had the calipers replaced? That bolt does not look like it was disturbed recently and as mentioned the brake pipe does not look new.

Copper is also not ideal for brake lines because they can crack, cunifer (copper nickel alloy) would be preferred.

How well do you trust this mechanic?

25th Aug 2024 5:12pm

Mini Landie

Member Since: 23 Sep 2015
Location: Basingstoke Massiff
Posts: 159

@TexasRover the mechanic is certainly trustworthy. I’d have to check the invoice for the work done as I can’t exactly recall which lines were billed.

I’ve found the issue. The line has completely broken away from the fitting into the caliper. Is this an easy DIY fix?

Click image to enlarge 2003 90 TD5 Hardtop

26th Aug 2024 12:43pm

Mini Landie

Member Since: 23 Sep 2015
Location: Basingstoke Massiff
Posts: 159

Is this the doo-dah I need?

SGB501770 https://www.johncraddockltd.co.uk/sgb50177...59807.html

EDIT: Turns out the garage advised about the rear brake hose (I'd call it a pipe) at the last MoT so to be fair to them, this one is on me.

2003 90 TD5 Hardtop

Last edited by Mini Landie on 26th Aug 2024 1:12pm. Edited 1 time in total

26th Aug 2024 1:03pm

Ianh

Member Since: 17 Sep 2018
Location: Essex
Posts: 1997

It’s an easy replacement, you can buy the pipe ready made for circa £40 and fit yourself, to make one yourself you would need the correct tools, hence a garage could make one up cheaper.
The key will be keeping things clean and bleeding the brakes correctly.

See these diagrams to get the correct part number for your vehicle https://www.lrworkshop.com/diagrams/land-r...oses-pipes

26th Aug 2024 1:10pm

landy andy

Member Since: 15 Feb 2009
Location: Ware, Herts
Posts: 5695

Make sure you get the other bit out of the calliper before fitting new.

26th Aug 2024 3:07pm

Mini Landie

Member Since: 23 Sep 2015
Location: Basingstoke Massiff
Posts: 159

I’ve got the new piece fitted.

It’s been a while since I’ve bled brakes. I have a one-man bleeding kit but I forget… can you bleed with the wheels still on or do I have to take them off?

Old and new. I’m wondering if the old pipe was a custom jobby.

Click image to enlarge 2003 90 TD5 Hardtop

31st Aug 2024 12:57pm

landy andy

Member Since: 15 Feb 2009
Location: Ware, Herts
Posts: 5695

Don’t need to remove wheels unless you need better access.

Yes your old pipe looks like a home made job.

31st Aug 2024 1:35pm

Mini Landie

Member Since: 23 Sep 2015
Location: Basingstoke Massiff
Posts: 159

Perfect, thank you everybody for your help! Brakes bled using the traditional furthest-nearest to brake master cylinder and all is well (touch wood), and no leaks with the new part. At least not in these early stages.

It was an Allmakes part I purchased rather than genuine, for anyone that comes across this post in future.

[EDIT]Oh and indeed I didn’t need to remove my wheels. Perks of not having a lowered car!

2003 90 TD5 Hardtop

1st Sep 2024 3:09pm

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