This 2000 Chevy Impala with a 3.8 engine is well maintained. A few months ago I installed new shocks, springs, brakes, brake line hoses, flushed out the brake fluid lines (every 1-2 years), and had the wheels aligned. This Impala has ABS brakes and typically runs well.
Without warning, the brake pedal went to the floor and the car lost all hydraulic braking. Fortunately the emergency brakes worked (so no accident). Discovered the rear steel brake line to the passenger wheel had ruptured. The steel line appeared to have corrosion over the steel.
I have worked on vehicles for over 40 years, including working professionally as a field engineer for a major diesel engine company. In all that time I never had nor observed a steel brake line corrode and rupture. This appears to be a vehicle design defect.
ALERT * Steel Brake Line Design Defect
This 2000 Chevy Impala with a 3.8 engine is well maintained. A few months ago I installed new shocks, springs, brakes, brake line hoses, flushed out the brake fluid lines (every 1-2 years), and had the wheels aligned. This Impala has ABS brakes and typically runs well.
Without warning, the brake pedal went to the floor and the car lost all hydraulic braking. Fortunately the emergency brakes worked (so no accident). Discovered the rear steel brake line to the passenger wheel had ruptured. The steel line appeared to have corrosion over the steel.
I have worked on vehicles for over 40 years, including working professionally as a field engineer for a major diesel engine company. In all that time I never had nor observed a steel brake line corrode and rupture. This appears to be a vehicle design defect.
- Steve I., Lexington, KY, US