Brakes went out!

[chefdab]

I was out this evening, on my way to a local park for my daily run. I came to a red light and my brakes went out. I managed to swerve into the other lane to keep from hitting the guy in front of me. With my foot to the floor, the brakes barely grabbed. I limped to a parking lot about two blocks away where I knew my wife was shopping and parked. I took a look under the hood and the brake fluid was obviously low. So I grabbed my wife's car and ran up the street to Pep Boys and got some fluid. When I got back, I decided to see if I had any leaks. Well as it turns out the front passenger side line had apparently been rubbing against the tire and had worn a hole in it. These are the extended stainless steel braided lines for the RE long arm kit. Now I know the line needs to be replaced and the whole system needs to be bled out. My two choices for the repair are a Firestone auto repair shop about 1/4 to 1/2 mile from where it's parked. They were already closed for the day when this happened. ( I can probably drive there if I go slow and use the e-brake and flashers) Or I can have it towed to the dealer that installed my lift. Do you think the Firestone would be capable of replacing the line (I would still want a stainless braided line)or would they only have stock lengths of rubber hoses. Or take it to the dealer where they will probably replace with the same thing (I might be out of the Jeep for a day or two because they might need to order the lines). What other brands of brake lines can you guys suggest? Anything stronger that I would be able to order in the correct length? Any tips on preventing this from happening again would also be appreciated.

[Belfast]

I personally would take it to a service shop that is familiar with lifts and the issues that go along with them. If the dealership put it in, you could probably have no problems requesting a direct replacement for the damaged line. This option is more expensive all around as the part will be more, the labor will be more, you pay for the tow, and you are out a vehicle for a day or two - but then again, you know its done right (although it should have been done right the first time... maybe you can convince them to pay for at least labor).