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Compression fitting have NO PLACE IN AUTOMOTIVE BRAKING SYSTEMS!!!
Ok, I feel better having said that.
I repaired a rusted brake line on Project Buick. When I attempted to bleed the brakes I noticed a huge puddle of fluid under the car. Upon closer inspection, it appears someone replaced the ABS modulator. All 4 brake lines have been cut and spliced back together with compression fittings. One o the fitting blew apart.
My question: I’m not convinced whoever made this “repair” ran the lines correctly. I’m not even sure what ABS system this car uses. I’m trying to find a diagram that shows which port feeds what wheel.
There are 2 ports on top that go to the master cylinder. There are 4 ports on front, with each pair consisting of one later fitting and one smaller fitting. I assume the larger fittings are for the front wheels.
Anyone have better google skills than me? I’m not finding a hydraulic diagram anywhere. Thanks.
I may have found some information pertinent to your case - key word "may".
It appears the GM Pontiac Bonneville shares the same basic ABS-5 hydraulic brake system (GM model years 1996-1999) as the GM Buick LeSabre?
Here are a couple links/information. Obviously, you'll need to validate if what I've provided fits your scenario since I'm unfamiliar with a '97 LeSabre. http://www.aa1car.com/library/abs98.htm https://www.gmforum.com/1992-1999-91...-303385/page2/
I had the same car, $600 daily driver. All four lines blew out there as well. Rest of the lines were good, so I did the same fix. Mine was fine, outlasted the rest of the car.
Compression fittings are fine for household plumbing. Household water pressure is 40-60psi, brake hydraulic pressure can go 1600. Not to mention your house doesn’t move at 80plus mph, and even when the kids are listening to god awful music like Limp Bizkit, Nirvana or any other “alternative music” your house doesn’t vibrate like a car does.
I’ll do things the right way when it comes to brakes. That’s something that has to work correctly every time.
The ABS system on those GM H bodies is prone to fail. Thankfully, it still works on my 96 98. As I recall, one of our members; AllanR, had to bypass the ABS on one of his cars. I agree that using compression fittings is NOT what right looks like.