How to Replace Brake Lines in a 1993 Lumina

The 1993 Chevrolet Lumina came equipped with conventional (non-antilock) brakes. Pressure on the brake pedal is augmented by a power brake booster, which uses engine vacuum to increase the braking pressure at the master cylinder. Front and rear brakes are divided into separate circuits by the master cylinder. Rigid metal brake lines carry pressurized fluid from the master cylinder to the brake calipers. The rigid brake lines are mated to short, rubber brake hoses near the calipers to absorb steering and driving motions. Metal brake lines are vulnerable to being kinked and damaged, and the rubber sections can rupture or delaminate internally and must be replaced.

Instructions

    1

    Disconnect the brake lines from the brake hoses. Hold the nut on the rubber hose side of the connector with a back-up wrench. Loosen and remove the flare nut on the rigid line side with a flare nut wrench. Remove the U-clip from the support bracket with a pair of pliers. Slide the rubber hose fitting from its locating bracket.

    2

    Remove the rubber hose from the caliper. Unscrew the banjo bolt from the caliper and pull the banjo fitting from the caliper. Discard both of the copper crush-washers on the banjo fitting.

    3

    Install a new crush-washer onto the banjo bolt. Insert the bolt into the fitting and slip the second washer onto the bolt so that the banjo fitting is sandwiched between the crush-washers. Thread the banjo bolt into the caliper and tighten it down with a flare nut wrench.

    4

    Insert the rubber hose fitting into the support bracket. Reinstall the U-clip manually by pushing the clip onto the fitting until it snaps into position. Insert the rigid line into the fitting and tighten the flare nut down firmly with the flare nut wrench.

    5

    Repeat the process for each brake hose to be replaced. Pump the brakes until the pedal is firm then check all of the fittings for leaks before taking the car for a test drive.