Brake fluid leak...

Hey everyone
I've got an 02' V6 4wd that sprung a leak in the brake line up by the passenger wheel hub. When I press the brake pedal down there is a significant pouring of brake fluid coming out of the brake caliper housing. I haven't taken it apart to diagnose it because it's on the side of the road..
I just need to limp it home so I can dig into it .

I'm wondering if I can pinch the line with a pair of vice grips to isolate the leak so I can get it home.

Forgive my ignorance when it comes to brakes.. thank you for any good advice!!

 

pinching the line with vise grips/locking pliers/C clamp (use some sort of cushion) is OK way to limp home

big issue is how much B fluid in your master cylinder res. if fluid lvl empties out in MC res....you will have air in lines and at any moment could lose all brakes
keep everyone posted

 

Thanks for the advice. I'll likely use a bicycle inner tube to protect the line.
And yes I'll definitely double check brake fluid level.

I had an issue where my coilover rod disconnected from the lower mounting eye while driving. Thankfully I was only doing about 25 mph and was able to immediately pull into a parking spot. I got my coilover changed out, then while checking for additional damage discovered the leak when applying pressure to the brakes.

Thanks again

 

Please DO NOT do what the other person suggested. That’s probably by far the worst and dangerous suggestion someone can offer. If the brake fluid is leaking and you can’t fix the issue, tow it home. It’s cheaper than causing an accident and potentially killing someone’s because you thought it was SAFE to pinch the brake hose.

 

Safe is a relative term .
I only need to drive about 5 miles of tx back roads going 20 mph max to get it home, if It required driving thru a city, or on the highway I would never attempt something like that.
Thank you for the word of caution!

 

I'm considering doing a "reverse flat tow".
I had the idea last night of hooking my wife's truck to my truck with a tow strap to get it home. Instead of her truck in front pulling mine, I would be in front and she would be driving behind me, if something happens where I lose brakes she can use her brakes to stop my truck .
Has anyone ever tried that? I think it's a sound theory..

 

You still have an E brake thats perfectly functional...
Also you still have regular brakes regardless if you lost all fluid & pedal drops to the floor....
They just dont feel as we're accustom to...

That being said, I can not assess your driving skills.....

 

Fair point... Thanks

 

Just grab you a bottle of oem specified brake fluid and top it off each time you drive it until you can get it fixed