Three problems related to brake hoses, lines/piping, and fittings have been reported for the 1997 Ford F-350. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
A steel brake line on my truck rusted and ruptured causing a complete brake failure. This is the second occurrence of this problem on this vehicle. The brake line had rusted and had a partial failure, causing a leak. The rusted section was replaced about 5 years ago. The recent line failure caused an accident.
While braking, with no warning, brakes failed. Brake line running from diverter to rear axle rusted through behind front fuel tank at plastic bracket. There was no pedal resistance and no braking at all. All fluid was lost. The hole in the line is about 0. 250 inch long and about 0. 045 inch wide. There was never a problem or a soft pedal prior to this. Luckily this occurred in a valley in a driveway while turning around so there was no damage. This would have been potentially catastrophic had it occurred while driving on the road or while maneuvering on a steep grade. The truck is clean with no body rust. I am replacing the brake line. This should never have happened on a 7 year old vehicle.
Brake line rubbing against heat shield, causing fluid leak.