Brake and Fuel lines

[WHE90Q45]

my 90 q needs the brake and fuel lines replaced due to excessive rust.my shop quoted me $1500.00 to do this job.

however i looked online and found SS brakelines for $120.00didn't look for fuel lines.

question: how hard of a DIY is this? keep in mind there is quite a bit of rust down there, that's why they're being replaced.

and where can i buy the fuel lines?

thanks in advance. i did a few searches and found that a bunch of you guys have switched over to SS brake lines, but i didn't find any write ups about the procedure.

-chris

[Q45tech]

Metal fuel lines [2 + evap lines] from tank to engine compartment can be ordered from Nissan OR just removed from your spare junker/wreck.Metal brake lines from front to rear are different from short flexlines in each wheel well.

[lino]

Regarding stainless steel brake line kits, they are supposed to be direct bolt-on, and here are the prices and brands I found available for the 90-96 Q45:

Stillen Stainless Steel Braided Brake Lines $119.64Part Number: 308701 (I believe they are the same as Goodridge. Can someone confirm?)



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Goodridge Stainless Steel Brake Lines $118.00Part Number: 22031

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Russell Stainless Steel Brake Lines $104.00 Part Number: 684700

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Techna-Fit Stainless Steel Brake Lines $109.00Part Number: INF-1000

Anyone have a brand preference?

[WHE90Q45]

Metal fuel lines [2 + evap lines] from tank to engine compartment can be ordered from Nissan OR just removed from your spare junker/wreck.Metal brake lines from front to rear are different from short flexlines in each wheel well.

so the SS kits are just the short flexlines, and will not cover the whole ball and chain?

[Q451990]

so the SS kits are just the short flexlines, and will not cover the whole ball and chain?

That's correct. There are metal lines under the hood, and I believe running from the front to rear.

As far as the fuel lines running from the trunk to engine compartment - I had to replace mine in 2001 due to damage sustained when I had the car shipped to me. Even then these tubes were nowhere to be found in the United States. They had to be ordered, made in Japan, and imported... took 6-8 weeks.

All of that said, I have NEVER heard of replacing all of these lines due to rust... how did you determine that they needed to be replaced?

Heath

[WHE90Q45]

That's correct. There are metal lines under the hood, and I believe running from the front to rear.

As far as the fuel lines running from the trunk to engine compartment - I had to replace mine in 2001 due to damage sustained when I had the car shipped to me. Even then these tubes were nowhere to be found in the United States. They had to be ordered, made in Japan, and imported... took 6-8 weeks.

All of that said, I have NEVER heard of replacing all of these lines due to rust... how did you determine that they needed to be replaced?

Heath

well my mechanic put the car up on the lift and showed me what was going on under there...

the lines around the calipers are covered in rust... all 4 corners.... and the lines going along the frame rail look to be in similar shape... same with the fuel lines... that's what 8 years in NE ohio will do to a car, i suppose. he also showed me the upper control arms... very rusty and probobly needing replacement as well...

it's very sad, i just spent 500 on body work to take care of surface rust all around the car, and to repaint the bumpers.... from the outside the car looks really good. and i just had new pads/rotors done. i dont know why he didn't say something about the brake lines when he did that repair....

my grandmother is giving me this car, in light of all the work that still needs to be done. i just dont know if i'm looking at a money pit or not... besides the brake and fuel lines, the car will need a new exhaust from the cats back... i was thinking of just having a muffler shop fab up a new one bypassing the rear suitcase muffler... and i still need to have the timing chain guide repair done.... so i'm looking at 3-4 k in repairs over the next few months if i keep the car.... and there's no guarantee that that will take care of everything... i know i need the transmission fluid and filter service done as well....

i am emotionally invested in this car, though. this was my grandfather's car, and the last one he owned before he passed in 96. so i suppose i have some thinkin to do...

[Q451990]

I think some picture would help us a lot. I guess the question becomes if it's just light surface rust, or rust that's going to be likely to cause a failure. I think I would think in terms of replacing brake parts first if there is a concern, since those are critical for safety.

To address your other comment - yes, it's a money pit - but all cars are to some extent. Cars aren't an investment, they are a loss... almost every time. But when you're done you're going to have one heck of a car!!

As a side note - I am a huge fan of a rust inhibitor called "Extend" by Loctite. You can buy spray cans at Lowe's and Home Depot for about $5. If it becomes clear that your rust issues are just light surface rust, I would spray those parts with this stuff to stop them from rusting further.

Heath

[RAP]

i am emotionally invested in this car, though. this was my grandfather's car, and the last one he owned before he passed in 96. so i suppose i have some thinkin to do...

Well if you let your emotions guide you then what else is there to say? But...

From my experience with Nissan cars I have noticed that they are well protected from rust and corrosion underneath. If there is that much visible corrosion as you state I would think that there would be some in the unseen areas. Bottom of the doors, under the fenders behind the plastic liners, behind the bumpers, all unseen readily.

What you have is a car that is 18 years old. Many folks keep old cars of course and restore same, but not cheaply, and rarely re-coup their investments. Plus if you are running off to an repair shop for everything that needs to be done and money is not a surplus commodity in your household then you will be faced with another emotion that should be considered, your wife's.

If you have one? They usually don't see what we see in cars.

Jack

[AlabamaDan]

I think owning a 90-96 Q45 is an emotional thing. It rarely makes economical sense to own them, unless all the maintenance has been performed.

On the other hand, invest some money into it, bring it back to OEM and you've got a $50k car! That's what I'm working for. But then, I'm in the South and we don't have rust problems like you do.

[Haitian_King]

I think owning a 90-96 Q45 is an emotional thing. It rarely makes economical sense to own them, unless all the maintenance has been performed.

On the other hand, invest some money into it, bring it back to OEM and you've got a $50k car! That's what I'm working for. But then, I'm in the South and we don't have rust problems like you do.

You said it. I get uneasy if I don't look at my Q at least once a day. I honestly cannot see myself buying another car. I really want to get it to OEM and make it look fantastic! Everyone will will ask "What kind of Nissan is that?"

[lino]

Regarding stainless steel brake line kits, they are supposed to be direct bolt-on, and here are the prices and brands I found available for the 90-96 Q45:

Stillen Stainless Steel Braided Brake Lines $119.64Part Number: 308701 (I believe they are the same as Goodridge. Can someone confirm?)



-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Goodridge Stainless Steel Brake Lines $118.00Part Number: 22031

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Russell Stainless Steel Brake Lines $104.00 Part Number: 684700

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Techna-Fit Stainless Steel Brake Lines $109.00Part Number: INF-1000

Anyone have a brand preference?

Which brand is the best?

[Haitian_King]

Me personally? I'd choose Stillen. I know that they have a great reputation for performance auto parts. I've never heard of any of the other brands. And there's only like a $15 difference between Stillen and the cheapest set. Splurge.

[Q451990]

I have the TechnaFit ones on my Q - I would recommend them because of the excellent customer service I received. One of the black plastic collars that you see near the end of the hose cracked on one of mine... probably about 6 or 8 months after I bought them. The owner said that it's not a critical part in that it failing would cause me to loose brake pressure - but he was concerned that it happened.... so they overnighted me a new set and paid return shipping for the old ones so that they could study the issue to try to find out what happened. The replacement set has been on there for 3 or 4 years with no issues.

Heath

[lino]

I have the TechnaFit ones on my Q - I would recommend them because of the excellent customer service I received. One of the black plastic collars that you see near the end of the hose cracked on one of mine... probably about 6 or 8 months after I bought them. The owner said that it's not a critical part in that it failing would cause me to loose brake pressure - but he was concerned that it happened.... so they overnighted me a new set and paid return shipping for the old ones so that they could study the issue to try to find out what happened. The replacement set has been on there for 3 or 4 years with no issues.

Heath

Thanks for sharing Heath. That's what you call real customer service.

[Haitian_King]

I have the TechnaFit ones on my Q - I would recommend them because of the excellent customer service I received. One of the black plastic collars that you see near the end of the hose cracked on one of mine... probably about 6 or 8 months after I bought them. The owner said that it's not a critical part in that it failing would cause me to loose brake pressure - but he was concerned that it happened.... so they overnighted me a new set and paid return shipping for the old ones so that they could study the issue to try to find out what happened. The replacement set has been on there for 3 or 4 years with no issues.

Heath

That is FANTASTIC service!!!