jack slipped, squished a rubber brake line :(

[columnshift]

The jack was on a slight incline and when the casters rolled (despite me chocking the front wheels it still shifted sideways) the jack's contact surface decided to shift too. No it wasnt the right jack but was the only one I had handy, was just trying to get it up then put it on stands for safety. It then was pressing against the brake hose for a couple minutes until I could get a second jack over to lift it off the surface.

Ideal would be "replace it/take no risks" but i'm not as faithful in my mechanical ability right now and can't afford to have someone else do it.

It doesn't seem to be leaking. (despite the wettish looking spot, that was from me touching it with slightly greasy hands in a few places)


FWIW its a 2000 ford taurus if it matters

 

[gabriel9766]

Don't see a problem with it. Do a couple quick panic stops and see if you see anything. If no leaks your good.

 

[Dave Hess]

Replace and don't risk an accident !!!!

 

[buck91]

Whats up with the slash-like damage on the right hand side of the picture? Is it just discoloration or light scratching? Looks like its some type of deep scratch or dent.

I didn't see how the jack landed on the line but the best advice really is to replace. That said, I've had calipers fall getting caught only by the hydraulic line many times with no bad results. But brake hoses are usually pretty cheap if you shop around... and one can ALWAYS use a brake fluid flush

 

[JHZR2]

Originally Posted By: Mr Nice
Replace and don't risk an accident !!!!


+1. Not difficult to do. Pressure bleeding will get it back up super fast.

 

[KingCake]

Are you sure that's a brake line? Doesn't look like typical ford style hose.

 

[KingCake]

And you should replace it. Only the outer shell of brake line is rubber. The interior is a harder plastic type material that collapses when crushed.

 

[The_Eric]

Originally Posted By: KingCake
Are you sure that's a brake line? Doesn't look like typical ford style hose.


Agreed. Looks like a parking brake cable to me.

 

[The_Jeff]

+3 it's a parking brake cable. Leave it alone. Maybe zoom out and use photoshop to put an arrow on the suspected line.

 

[Trav]

Originally Posted By: The_Eric
Originally Posted By: KingCake
Are you sure that's a brake line? Doesn't look like typical ford style hose.


Agreed. Looks like a parking brake cable to me.


+1 me too.

 

[CT8]

Originally Posted By: Trav
Originally Posted By: The_Eric
Originally Posted By: KingCake
Are you sure that's a brake line? Doesn't look like typical ford style hose.


Agreed. Looks like a parking brake cable to me.


+1 me too.
Parking brake cable

 

[tomcat27]

if its the parking brake cable (like everyone theorizes, don't worry about it.

 

[ford46guy]

Brake cables have DOT markings and usually aren't smooth. Also no rusty spring jackets under the skin.

 

[CT8]

Originally Posted By: tomcat27
if its the parking brake cable (like everyone theorizes, don't worry about it.
Trace out the line and see exactly where it comes from and where it goes.

 

[stephen9666]

Yup, first thing I thought was "that looks like a parking brake cable." If it is, then it's probably fine.

 

[andyd]

Just the E-brake cable, no worries. The take away point is to be more careful. I keep a supply of blocks and brick, short 2 bys, and small pieces of plywood for jack pads and chocking. I always use plywood under a jack on black top or gravel. Please don't learn the hard way that a decent jack with a big lift pad is cheaper than the damage caused by having a lousy jack slip

 

[ford46guy]

Now that the outer skin is compromised the parking brake cable inner spring sheath will rust internally (if it isn't already) and eventually lock up the cable. It may not release and ruin you rear brakes. Not an emergency, but worth changing. It wont apply either. If you live in a state with inspections they love to fail you over that. Hate to say it but after market parking brake cables don't last too long, but it may depend on the application.

 

[columnshift]

Originally Posted By: buck91
Whats up with the slash-like damage on the right hand side of the picture? Is it just discoloration or light scratching? Looks like its some type of deep scratch or dent.

I didn't see how the jack landed on the line but the best advice really is to replace.


The slash like damage is where it got pushed up against something else or where the jack was contacting.

Originally Posted By: KingCake
Are you sure that's a brake line? Doesn't look like typical ford style hose.


No!

But it's a hose of some sort I think since it's rubber outside. I was used to thinking brake lines are metal though normally... and if this is just the parking brake line or something hopefully I don't have to replace it.

Its 2000 Ford Taurus rear left just in front of the wheelwell.

Originally Posted By: KingCake
And you should replace it. Only the outer shell of brake line is rubber. The interior is a harder plastic type material that collapses when crushed.


If I can verify it's the brake line maybe i'll have to then. I will trace the line or/and take a zoomed out picture when I put it back up later.




Originally Posted By: andyd
Just the E-brake cable, no worries. The take away point is to be more careful. I keep a supply of blocks and brick, short 2 bys, and small pieces of plywood for jack pads and chocking. I always use plywood under a jack on black top or gravel. Please don't learn the hard way that a decent jack with a big lift pad is cheaper than the damage caused by having a lousy jack slip


Oh I know to be more careful, the problem is when youre having to do things broke/stoopid because you don't even have enough money for food that month and some a__ stole your good tools and jackstands the last time you ran to the store between jobs.

The other issue is me not feeling like I know what i'm doing yet. (as the other vehicle whose drums I worked on is still not in working condition because I couldn't get the job finished - I get chronically confused because of repeated TBI and working on repairs is a very slow process)

thanks to people pointing out it's probably parking brake - I will try to verify too

 

[Evili]

Originally Posted By: andyd
Just the E-brake cable, no worries. The take away point is to be more careful. I keep a supply of blocks and brick, short 2 bys, and small pieces of plywood for jack pads and chocking. I always use plywood under a jack on black top or gravel. Please don't learn the hard way that a decent jack with a big lift pad is cheaper than the damage caused by having a lousy jack slip


No. Masonry products have no business being used to support vehicle weight. It's unsafe, to the point of being potentially deadly.

 

[wheelman1991]

It's just an e-brake cable, not the brake line or hose. Leave it alone.