What are the odds? [NON-VALK]

[vanagon40]

I have a ‘99 Astro Van.  The brakes went out (suddenly and completely).  I checked the reservoir and it was low, but not empty.  I found that the solid line rusted out at the fitting where the line connects with the flexible hose at the right front caliper.  I saw that the same fitting on the left front caliper looked damp, so I replaced both front brake lines.  While bleeding the brakes (I was hoping to just bleed the front lines), I saw a puddle under the rear of the van.  Turns out the rear line was also rusted out, just in front of the rear axle.

Because the reservoir still had fluid in both bowls, I cannot believe either line had blown some time earlier.  Also, the front line was clearly blown before I touched anything.  There are at least half a dozen line clamps between the master ABS controller and the leak in the rear line, so I do not believe that me working on the front brakes caused the rear brake line to fail.

If someone has a theory other than a coincidence that both lines failed at the same time, I’d be interested in hearing it.

I will confess that the ABS warning light has been mostly lit for the past year (it would go out occasionally).

[The emperor has no clothes]

We had an AWD AstroVan. It was great for hauling my son and his hockey teammates around on icy roads. BUT I freaking hated working on that thing. The simplest maintanence was a huge chore. I think I still have scars from contorting my arms in that engine bay. But I digress. Back to your question. I don't THINK they would all go to crap at the same time but with an astro van I don't know .

[cookiedough]

It's a 1999 with probably 150K+ miles on it,  what do you expect?   It is tired. 

Parts do not last forever and probably pretty sure nothing you did or didn't do that just happened is all.  Body still looks in good shape and if the V6 engine (guessing 4.3L) is still running strong, get the brakes fixed since the 4.3L is a good motor overall right next to GM's 3.8L V6 engine being even better. 

I don't have many good things to say though of GM's 4 bangers or V8 motors. 

[Hook#3287]

Aren't old brake lines the same as old house plumbing, you touch it here and it breaks over there.

[da prez]

  First , where you live is in road salt country. I have been in the mechanical field most of my life. If I had a vehicle come in with a rusted thru brake line , I would change , not repair any lines that even looked bad and if flex lines were starting to crack , they would be replaced also. I would rather do the job once and have it last for several years than to piece meal it. I would not splice a brake line and I would not use a compression fitting even if it was made for brake line use. I would always flare the lines. Cheaper and faster in the long run.

                                             da prez

[henry 008]

did you recently expand your life insuance to a large sum...?        

[old2soon]

ex B I L 99 Taurus-same cursed thing here in Missouri couple years ago. My Daughter and I were in the car when it happened. Even after he realized he had way less braking I had to land on him to get him to slow down because of the diminished braking available.  Our mechanic-we use the same repair garage-replaced all the rigid lines and flex lines. And he relayed to me that it is a fairly common problem on Fomoco in that era. Loss of braking WILL cause yer butt to take big chunks outin the upholstery.  Road salt and road hazards play many different kinds of hell on the underside of a LOT of vehicles. RIDE SAFE.