Corroded brake pipes

[sbloxxy]

More of a warning this one: my 2000 Boxster S has just failed its MOT. When the brake tests were carried out, the tester hit the brakes in the usual way and a front brake pipe promptly split and dumped brake fluid everywhere. The brake pipe was checked where it was found to be well and truly corroded: further checks of the remaining pipes showed similar states of corrosion. Obviously all were replaced and I felt that I had a lucky escape - the previous day, I had driven back down from Edinburgh and in what might be called a 'spirited and entertaining fashion'. I live near the sea and the salt air certainly helps see off any metal that is not treated properly - I had an Alfa Romeo once upon a time that simply disintergrated.
Needless to say, I'll be checking the brake pipes on my other cars now.

 

[Tool Pants]

What pipe was corroded?

With this car is was the crossover tube/pipe on the caliper.

http://www.renntech.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=16491&hl=thing

 

[Paul Fraser]

FWIW just replaced the front brake pipes on my 996 (1997). The two running under the car (which are exposed for part of their run -- this was the part that was corroded), and the one going across the car to the RHS and most of the smaller pipes all had heavy corrosion on them.
How much did they charge to replace yours and what ones did they do? The parts are relatively cheap iirc but I imagine the labour costs would be quite high especially for the one going across the car, which I had to cut and rejoin to fit.

 

[snarf]

ORIGINAL: Paul Fraser

FWIW just replaced the front brake pipes on my 996 (1997). The two running under the car (which are exposed for part of their run -- this was the part that was corroded), and the one going across the car to the RHS and most of the smaller pipes all had heavy corrosion on them.
How much did they charge to replace yours and what ones did they do? The parts are relatively cheap iirc but I imagine the labour costs would be quite high especially for the one going across the car, which I had to cut and rejoin to fit.

I'm amazed and shocked to learn that any manufacturer, let alone Porsch, is still using corrodable metal for such a safety critical item. Many years ago I replaced all the brake pipes on my 1968 Elan with non-corroding pipes (bought from an IMI subsidiary) and they lasted until I sold it without so much as a stain.

 

[sbloxxy]

The ones that needed replacing were not the cross over ones but the pipes leading from the flexies plus the dreaded pipe that works it way through the engine bay. And yes, the actual price of the materials was next to nothing - it was the labour that was a killer - around £390. Unfortunately, because the brakes failed actually at the garage, I had no choice but to let them get on with it.