We should have fired it up--huh? But it wouldn't have solved anything.
As Jim has explained the reason why, the first tree I would bark up would be the master cylinder. If it were leaking bad enough to cause catrostrophic failure, you'd see fluid on the floor. I don't have to ask you if there is fluid on the floor because you're bright/observant enough to notice such "minor" details.
We'll get on it long before the weather breaks. After all, Im'a will work for food kind of guy. You're probally better off redoing the whole system, minus lines, but perhaps new hoses on the controll arms/rear. It's not that expensive. With Advanced Auto, you might have some issues with the master cylinder--they don't seem to have the correct one. But you shouldn't have problems getting the rest of the parts. The parts are high quaility and their prices are much better than the resto places.
But you have to do me a favor. It saves me lots of aggravation, and it will probally save you money if it turns into a nightmare.
The hardest part of the job is breaking the fittings loose on the steel lines. The master cylinder, front/back wheel cylinders, and if were going to do hoses, front hoses to steel lines, and rear hose fittings (3 fittings).
Start spraying them with penetrating oil. WD40 don't get er done. The more you let it soak, the better chance we have of not destroying the lines. Even with that, sometimes it doesn't work because the fitting and the line flare seize up.
It creates a whole new aspect when you have to start replacing steel lines. If I recall, the lines look to be in good shape, and we don't want to get into line replacment.
Start soaking the fittings with penetrating oil NOW! When you spray them, tap the area with a lfh. Maybe I'll get by on some evening for a quick pit stop, not to tear into it, but to look over the fittings and get you going on them.
I know that lots of people love to convert to discs, and I agree that discs are better brakes. Even so, when I get done with it, you'll be able to stop it so fast the the back tires will leave the pavment.
