Contents: Brake hoses and pipes ↓ Replacement ↓
Brake hoses and pipes
Examination
Approximately once every six months, and also at every convenient opportunity, especially if the car is raised and the safety supports are installed, the condition of the brake hoses connecting the metal brake pipes to the front and rear wheel brake mechanisms should be checked. There should be no cracks, delamination, abrasions, swelling or other mechanical damage. These components are vital to the braking system and must be checked thoroughly and completely. Flashlight (portable lamp) and a telescopic mirror will be very useful for inspection. If the hoses even look suspicious, replace them immediately.
Replacement
Front brake hose
2. Loosen the wheel nuts, lift the vehicle and place it on safety supports. Remove the wheel.
3. Use a socket wrench to loosen the fitting nut and disconnect the hose from the tube (see figure 9.3).
Figure 9.3. Loosen the fitting nut with a socket wrench to avoid rounding the edges.
Be careful not to bend the bracket or tube. If the bracket begins to bend when you loosen the nut, hold the mating part of the fitting with another wrench. If the fitting is corroded, pour some liquid wrench on it and let it soak for about ten minutes, then try again. Using brute force can easily bend the tube, which will then also have to be replaced.
4. Use pliers to remove the U-shaped retainer from the female threaded fitting (see figure 9.4), then pull the hose through the bracket.
Figure 9.4. Use pliers to tighten the U-shaped clamp.
5. Remove the banjo fitting bolt from the caliper, then separate the hose from the caliper. Please note that there are two copper sealing washers on both sides of the fitting, these will need to be replaced when installing a new hose.
6. Unscrew the hose mount on the front pillar.
7. Install the front brake hose in the reverse order of its removal. Make sure the hose between the caliper and the bracket on the front strut is not kinked. Tighten the banjo fitting bolt to the specified torque Specifications of this chapter, and also securely tighten the hose/brake pipe union nut.
8. Bleed the caliper (see paragraph 10).
9. Install the wheel and tighten the lug nuts, lower the vehicle and tighten the lug nuts to the torque specified in the Specifications Chapter 1A or 1B.
Rear brake hose
10. The rear brake hose serves as a flexible connection between two rigid metal tubes located on the body and the trailing arm of the suspension. Both ends of the hose are connected to the tubes with threaded fittings, the fittings are secured with U-shaped clamps. Refer to points 2, 3 and 4. After finishing the work, do not forget to bleed the wheel cylinder (see paragraph 10).
Metal brake pipes
11. When replacing tubes, ensure that the new tube has the same configuration as the one being replaced. Copper tubes cannot withstand the natural vibrations of a vehicle - purchase metal tubes from a dealer.
12. As a last resort, you can purchase a ready-made tube of the required length with flared ends and installed fittings. It is best to bend the pipes "on site" using a pipe bender so as not to pinch them.
13. When installing the tube, make sure that it is securely fastened with all brackets and does not touch moving or hot components. Tighten tube fittings securely: using brute force can easily strip threads; it is enough to ensure the tightness of the connection.
14. After installation, check the fluid level in the reserve tank. Bleed the brake system (see paragraph 10). Before starting normal operation of the vehicle, carefully check the operation of the braking system on a deserted road.