Rear brake pipes , preventative maintenance question

[Wighty]

It seems to be a common failure that rear brake pipe corrosion ends up with needing the brake pipes replaced .
I think I’ve read that the pipes go over the fuel tank at the rear , or at least out of sight which leaves them to corrode ?
I’ve not got a car in the air to check yet where the pipes are routed , or even if it’s possible to see them .
Has anyone every managed to do any preventative maintenance in this area , I was thinking a can of ACF50 or similar and wether I could spray it onto these rear pipes ?

 

[EmilysDad]

I can't see that it'd do any harm

 

[Wighty]

I can't see that it'd do any harm

I’m sure , I’m wondering if it is actually possible to do ?

 

[Oldspanners]

It seems to be a common failure that rear brake pipe corrosion ends up with needing the brake pipes replaced .
I think I’ve read that the pipes go over the fuel tank at the rear , or at least out of sight which leaves them to corrode ?
I’ve not got a car in the air to check yet where the pipes are routed , or even if it’s possible to see them .
Has anyone every managed to do any preventative maintenance in this area , I was thinking a can of ACF50 or similar and wether I could spray it onto these rear pipes ?

Have a look at this on a C class may help with the CLK

Suppose there are some for the E class about as well.

 

[EmilysDad]

I’m sure , I’m wondering if it is actually possible to do ?

I get you now .... I'm sure if you spray enough of it in the general direction you'll get it on the brake pipes

 

[rf065]

My CLK rear brake pipes corroded after 10 or 11 years and had to be replaced, if your's is a 2009 model, it might be too late.

 

[Wighty]

My CLK rear brake pipes corroded after 10 or 11 years and had to be replaced, if your's is a 2009 model, it might be too late.

Or it might drag them out for a few more years

 

[js190d]

When i got my s210 just over a year ago the first thing i did when i got it back home was to apply Vactan to any surface rust under the car. Then applied Aldi metal paint over these areas about a week later. No rust stains etc have come back through so i can recommend Vactan. You can buy it on ebay. Good stuff!

 

[rf065]

Or it might drag them out for a few more years

I should have said, I had advisories at each MOT from 8 years old that they were corroded, it took the 10th year before it failed on them, so the corrosion on yours may well have started a few years ago as well.
And the fronts needed done a couple of years after the rears were done, so have a look at them while your at it.

 

[Oldspanners]

Or it might drag them out for a few more years

I sprayed mine with some rust inhibitor/protector on the parts that get sprayed with road dirt etc also at the front just as they go through the inner wings and they look ok. I've the same brake pipes on the Golf for 30 years treated in the same way about 6 years ago I bought copper pipe made up rear pipes and they are still in the box.

 

[Dean Fletcher]

On my c207 the pipe sat into a part of the undertray which held water and corroded over time bit of a stupid design fault. I had two parts bust (luckily at the garage) so I had the whole system replaced with gold plated pipes. 5 hours labour and 40 smackers worth of gear. £300 all in.

 

[Chrishazle]

My 08 SLK failed it's MoT in 2014 with 3 out of 4 brake pipes failed due to corrosion and the 4th one an advisory close to failure, but that was in Anglesey and an address that sounds like a holiday park near the sea. Replacements cost £450+VAT+fitting. Had a look at them today with the car on the ramp (OK, it left Anglesey for Tunbridge Wells in 2015) and they look fine.

 

[Wighty]

When i got my s210 just over a year ago the first thing i did when i got it back home was to apply Vactan to any surface rust under the car. Then applied Aldi metal paint over these areas about a week later. No rust stains etc have come back through so i can recommend Vactan. You can buy it on ebay. Good stuff!

Cheers buddy , I’ll have a look . I have used Dinitrol on the CLK in the rear subframe and on any surface rust

 

[brianbrian]

I just brush a thick smear off grease every year,M.O.T. Man moans as he gets it on his hands and hat. Still have the same break and fuel lines after 30yrs