Accelerated rigid brake line corrosion resulted in brake line failure and complete loss of vehicle stopping ability. brake lines are inspected regularly and did not appear rusted. vehicle was in motion traveling at approximately 20 mph when operator stepped on brake to slow and stop vehicle. brake pedal felt soft and then pressed completely to floor without any braking action. operator used emergency brake to slow and stop vehicle. vehicle required immediate towing as it was not road worthy and was unsafe to drive without braking ability.
While on a hill holding the vehicle with the brakes activated, a large amount of white smoke came billowing out of the engine compartment. i was able to determine that the fluid was clear and dripping on the hot exhaust manifold. the brake reservoir dropped with successive brake applications. after having the vehicle towed to a repair facility, it was determined that multiple fixed metal brake lines were corroding and one had enough to corrosion to cause a failure of the metal causing a leaking break line. all fixed metal brake lies were replace at a very high expense due to the labor to install the new lines. part were only a fraction of the labor to install new brake lines along the body framing. ironically, the repair shop owner had a 2500 series gm pickup truck which experience the same brake line failures just months before. in all my years of vehicle ownership, i have never experienced a complete failure of a fixed metal brake line. they are usually make of materials which prevent corrosion of the metal and therefore remain useful for stopping the vehicle throughout the vehicle useful life.
Tl*the contact owns a 2001 gmc yukon 2500. the contact stated while starting the vehicle after it had been sitting 4 days it became apparent that the brakes and power steering had failed. the vehicle was towed to dealer where the failure could not be replicated. the vehicle was not repaired. the manufacturer was contacted about the issue. the failure and current mileage was 62,000. the vin was not available.
While traveling on the expressway, brakes were applied to exit the expressway and the pedal went to the floor. found ruptured line on rear axle. date of first incident 2/5 20011 most recent 4/26/2015...ruptured line under vehicle ( drivers seat location) all lines require replacement. *tr