[fre1102]

My rear brake crossover line is leaking. It's the hard line that goes between the flex hoses (that attach to the calipers) on either side. It goes above the diff. and looks like a bear to replace, primarily because the nuts that attach to the caliper flex hoses seem to be inaccessable.

So...anyone ever change one? Is it just a lot of frustrating 1/8-turn at a time on those hose lines? I'm not 100% sure I can even get a wrench on them, and I'm wondering about snaking the hard line over the diff.

Or...is it as bad as it (might) seem, and I have to drop some of those chassis members to get at the thing? Or even, God forbid, the diff.?

If you've done it, I'd love to hear from you.

Thanks in advance.

 

[darkman]

I have not replaced that line myself, but based on its location I suspect lowering the rear cradle would save time. Additionally, I have not found replacement lines listed, so it may be necessary to make them. See attached.

 

[fre1102]

Lowering the rear cradle...how bad is that? The idea sounds terrifying (since I'm doing this in a driveway, 500 miles from my air compressor), but if it's not that bad I'd at least consider it since the line fittings look all-but inaccessable.

I actually already have the replacement line sitting on the counter. It was $17 from Rock Auto, amazingly.

My original plan was to splice in a new section of line. But the hole is literally right above the diff. and I can't actually see the hole, and I'd effectively have to splice the entire section of line (the whole thing is really pretty short). I still considered it because of the fittings, but it really would have been just a temporary fix.

 

[ctsv247]

can you access the clamps that hold the brake line in place, loosen those and maneuver the line around a bit to give you better access?

 

[darkman]

I think you need only lower the cradle so you can access things. This involves removing the rear wheels and dropping the exhaust. I do not think you will need to remove the driveshaft. See attached and see CTS-FAQ on cradle bushings for pics.http://www.cadillacfaq.com/faq/answers/bushinginstall/index.html

 

[fre1102]

can you access the clamps that hold the brake line in place, loosen those and maneuver the line around a bit to give you better access?

No, the rubber lines to the calipers go through a chassis member on each side. The only way to get the line off is to un-do the line fittings. I assume then the rubber lines could be removed.

The only thing that makes me think the rear subframe (or whatever it's called) doesn't have to come off--that there must be an easier way--is that the way it appears, just to change the rubber line to the caliper would require removal of that same chassis subframe, which seems unlikely.
So I thought I'd ask.

I guess it's just as useful to ask if anyone's removed the rubber lines to the calipers--that would be just as hard, really. After that the only trick is threading the hard line out from over the diff.

Hm. Anyone R&R a caliper rubber line?

 

[darkman]

http://ls1tech.com/forums/cadillac-...-stainless-steel-brake-line-installation.html http://www.cadillacforums.com/forum...-stainless-steel-brake-line-installation.html

 

[fre1102]

I think you need only lower the cradle so you can access things. This involves removing the rear wheels and dropping the exhaust. I do not think you will need to remove the driveshaft. See attached and see CTS-FAQ on cradle bushings for pics.http://www.cadillacfaq.com/faq/answers/bushinginstall/index.html

Thanks Darkman. You ever do this? Reading that .pdf makes it seem like not a hand-tool-in-the-driveway kind of thing, but... Removing the exhaust on my car is especially unpleasant.

I wonder if I might leave the exhaust in place and just drop the subframe a few inches. That's really all I need.

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http://ls1tech.com/forums/cadillac-...-stainless-steel-brake-line-installation.html http://www.cadillacforums.com/forum...-stainless-steel-brake-line-installation.html

Huh. Reading those, I think I'll go look at it in the daylight (last night was flashlights only)--either those write-ups are off, my car is different, or (seems most likely), I missed something, because that looks positively easy. Looking at mine, it looked like those rubber lines weren't coming off without moving the cradle. I think I'll try rubber line removal first.

You're a regular CTS-V one-man stop, Darkman. Thanks.

 

[darkman]

Thanks Darkman. You ever do this? Reading that .pdf makes it seem like not a hand-tool-in-the-driveway kind of thing, but... Removing the exhaust on my car is especially unpleasant.

I wonder if I might leave the exhaust in place and just drop the subframe a few inches. That's really all I need.

----------



Huh. Reading those, I think I'll go look at it in the daylight (last night was flashlights only)--either those write-ups are off, my car is different, or (seems most likely), I missed something, because that looks positively easy. Looking at mine, it looked like those rubber lines weren't coming off without moving the cradle. I think I'll try rubber line removal first.

My advice on lowering the cradle assumed that you were going to fabricate the replacement line, which you will not have to do. In any event, if it comes to lowering the cradle only a little, you can simply remove the muffler hangers (spray them with WD40 and use a round screwdriver shaft to pry them out); remove the center support; and support the exhaust with a box or something.

 

[fre1102]

My advice on lowering the cradle assumed that you were going to fabricate the replacement line, which you will not have to do. In any event, if it comes to lowering the cradle only a little, you can simply remove the muffler hangers (spray them with WD40 and use a round screwdriver shaft to pry them out); remove the center support; and support the exhaust with a box or something.

After looking at it in better light for a while, I *think* once I get the rubber lines off, I can do it. Threading the hard line over the diff. will be a pain, but it looks like it's workable.

Those clips, though--the ones from the rubber line to the hard line--how *do* they come off? They're what I thought last night was part of the chassis member itself, and today they're proving no easier to remove. The write-up you mentioned just says "remove them". That might require a cutting torch.

 

[darkman]

I just did a search and reread about a half dozen threads with folks (including at least one professional Cadillac Tech) complaining about the brake clips and the degree of difficulty in removing and reinstalling them. No one posted a specify method for dealing with them. (Re-reading those threads did remind me why I paid a couple C-notes to have mine done professionally.)

 

[fre1102]

I did the same thing. No one says how they come off... only that they do. This will be a joy.

 

[SamTheCarpenter]

I know this is an old thread but for anyone who comes across this looking for advice. I was able to disconnect the crossover brake line for the driver rear brake and snake it over the diff pulling it towards the driver side. Going back in might not be as easy but I think its doable. Good luck.

 

[deepstuff]

What's the purpose of the crossover line?

 

[AAIIIC]

To route the brake fluid to the driver side caliper.

 

[Chevyzoomina]

My rear brake crossover line is leaking. It's the hard line that goes between the flex hoses (that attach to the calipers) on either side. It goes above the diff. and looks like a bear to replace, primarily because the nuts that attach to the caliper flex hoses seem to be inaccessable.

So...anyone ever change one? Is it just a lot of frustrating 1/8-turn at a time on those hose lines? I'm not 100% sure I can even get a wrench on them, and I'm wondering about snaking the hard line over the diff.

Or...is it as bad as it (might) seem, and I have to drop some of those chassis members to get at the thing? Or even, God forbid, the diff.?

If you've done it, I'd love to hear from you.

Thanks in advance.

I have a regular 05 Cts but I'd assume the line is routed the same. Has anyone had any luck with this? It seems impossible to even get to the flare nuts.

 

[albert.marcoss]

I was able to disconnect the crossover brake line for the driver rear brake and snake it over the diff pulling it towards the driver side.

Speed Test​

 

[Chevyzoomina]

I have a regular 05 Cts but I'd assume the line is routed the same. Has anyone had any luck with this? It seems impossible to even get to the flare nuts.

I ended up cutting everything out and running everything new. Brakes work great now