Leaking rear brake union

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valerie
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Leaking rear brake union

Post by valerie »

Hi,
I have just replaced the rear brake pipes with some I bought from another citroen enthusiast, about 10 years ago.

I have never had any problems with leaking unions until now.

The rear right brake pipe union leaks fluid, at the disc brake end.

I've taken it off, refitted it a few times, tried a different seal rubber, to no avail.

Fluid appears to be coming out from between the pipe and the union.

I had to remove the caliper, and apply some heat before using a pipe wrench to get the old union undone.

I used the same procedure on the other side. which is fine.

Any ideas, anyone?
Kaapelimies
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Re: Leaking rear brake union

Post by Kaapelimies »

Maybe the pipe is not deep enough in the caliper hole, so it does not seal right. Or you have the old pipe cut in deep in the hole? Check without the seal that the new pipe goes deep enough.
BX 4x4 estate, several BX Van's and some more normal estates in Finland.
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white exec
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Re: Leaking rear brake union

Post by white exec »

Good advice.
Important that the end of the steel pipe goes fully into the caliper (or hydraulic unit) drilling, so that the rubber seal can compress. If the pipe comes up against the shoulder of the drilling, the joint will tighten, but the seal will not be compressed.
.
Hydraulic union seal.JPG
Essential that the pipe is not inserted at any sort of angle.
Chris
valerie
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Re: Leaking rear brake union

Post by valerie »

Many thanks, i'll try removing a little bit off the end of the pipe, and see if that works.
Kaapelimies
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Re: Leaking rear brake union

Post by Kaapelimies »

Don't mess with it, then it will certainly leak! Find out why it's not deep enough. You need the brakes, don't destroy them.
BX 4x4 estate, several BX Van's and some more normal estates in Finland.
valerie
Confirmed BX'er
Posts: 29
Joined: Sat Apr 23, 2011 12:11 pm
x 3

Re: Leaking rear brake union

Post by valerie »

ok, it seemed to be the threads. I re-threaded them using my tap and die set.
put everything back together, no leaks, voila!
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white exec
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Location: Sayalonga, Malaga
My Cars: 1992 BX19D Millesime
- LHD, NA, AC, RP_5800
1996 XM 2.5TD Exclusive
x 70

Re: Leaking rear brake union

Post by white exec »

Good result.
Those sleeved joints are extraordinarily good at handling exteremely high pressures, provided that everything lines up, and the pipe end enters the drilling in the fitting (to centralise it). When tightened, the rubber fills up the space, and actually improves its seal when under hydraulic pressure. Something Citroen got really right, and decades ago.
Glad yours is sorted.
Chris
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