How to replace brake lines

[android_proball]

Hi All

I noticed my brake line has a huge tear near the brake caliper. The hose has bursted. I want to remove and re-install new lines, but I'm kinda intimidated by the task. Anyone know of a thread w a DIY? I'm going to keep looking. I have really no idea how to start this project. Thanks all

Also: if I WANT to install 'braided steel' lines, is this a complicated process?

[Leung]

you're talking about the rubber lines? that's easy as hell. Just make sure you use the flare nut wrenches otherwise you'll round off the "nut" that connect the line to the hardline at the top of the wheel well. Also hit those nuts with a little Liquid Wrench before hand because they are probably the original rubber lines from twenty something years ago. If you have a Hayne's manual at least, it'll show you how to do things step by step but i don't think it's necessary. Just undo the old one, hook up the new one and then bleed the brake caliper. The two bolts that hold the line to the strut should be 10mm heads; might want to hit those with Liquid Wrench first too.

As for the steel braided lines, i'd imagine it's no different. It's still a rubber line in the middle with a steel braided outer jacket to keep the line from expanding when braking.

If you order Raybestos rubber lines from Rockauto, they are just repacked Chinese made rubber hoses. The hoses don't even say Raybestos on them anywhere.

[Bad_dude]

you're talking about the rubber lines? that's easy as hell. Just make sure you use the flare nut wrenches otherwise you'll round off the "nut" that connect the line to the hardline at the top of the wheel well. Also hit those nuts with a little Liquid Wrench before hand because they are probably the original rubber lines from twenty something years ago. If you have a Hayne's manual at least, it'll show you how to do things step by step but i don't think it's necessary. Just undo the old one, hook up the new one and then bleed the brake caliper. The two bolts that hold the line to the strut should be 10mm heads; might want to hit those with Liquid Wrench first too.

As for the steel braided lines, i'd imagine it's no different. It's still a rubber line in the middle with a steel braided outer jacket to keep the line from expanding when braking.

If you order Raybestos rubber lines from Rockauto, they are just repacked Chinese made rubber hoses. The hoses don't even say Raybestos on them anywhere.

The steel braided lines, are those good? I mean you have rubber that suppose to expand a little but if you have steel braid around it preventing from expanding, would the steel tear the line when it's trying to expand?
So are you recommending Raybestos from Rock Auto or are you saying those are cheap Chinese made and should not be used?
Thanks.

[android_proball]

The steel braided lines, are those good? I mean you have rubber that suppose to expand a little but if you have steel braid around it preventing from expanding, would the steel tear the line when it's trying to expand?
So are you recommending Raybestos from Rock Auto or are you saying those are cheap Chinese made and should not be used?
Thanks.

Same q's

[Leung]

The steel braided lines, are those good? I mean you have rubber that suppose to expand a little but if you have steel braid around it preventing from expanding, would the steel tear the line when it's trying to expand?
So are you recommending Raybestos from Rock Auto or are you saying those are cheap Chinese made and should not be used?
Thanks.

Well i have always heard that Raybestos makes great quality brake components, I was just a little surprised that they followed suit and have a Chinese company making an American product. For 19 bucks a side, i guess i can't complain too much. Rockauto has other brands too i think but when i ordered my lines, they weren't in stock.

I just stuck with the rubber lines for the replacements. As i didn't have the money to buy the SS lines nor did i really need them.

According to Wiki, yeah i know.., " braided stainless steel hoses typically consist of a Teflon or generic PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene) inner hose wrapped in a braid consisting of stainless steel wire" and not what i said before above.

But anyhow, "The intent of braided stainless steel brake lines is to improve brake system effectiveness and longevity as compared to an equivalent system fitted with flexible rubber hoses through near-elimination of hose expansion."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Braided...el_brake_lines

I still stand by me saying that replacing the rubber lines is easy as ****.

[android_proball]

"flare nut wrenches"?

[Leung]

"flare nut wrenches"?

Don't use regular open ended wrenches, that's how you round off nuts especially when you're working with some kind of line connections. Just go to Harbor Freight if you have one and grab a set for around 10 bucks, you don't need an expensive one from Sears like i bought.

[android_proball]

Can I use any of these?
Are they single lines I have to measure and cut myself?

http://www.autozone.com/autozone/par.../N-iwry5Z8kp1m

[Leung]

Can I use any of these?
Are they single lines I have to measure and cut myself?

http://www.autozone.com/autozone/par.../N-iwry5Z8kp1m

I'm confused man... are you wanting to replace the rubber line that connects to the brake caliper or are you replacing the hard metal line that travels across the firewall from the BMC?

If you are trying to replace the rubber line that connects to the brake caliper with what you're showing me from that autozone web page, you can't use those because they aren't flexible enough to turn with the brake caliper and the rotor when you go to turn your wheel in either direction.

This is what i ordered from Rockauto.


That's not an exact representation of what i bought but one end is connected to a hard line in the upper part of the wheel well while the other end is connected to the brake caliper with a banjo bolt.

On that autozone page, instead of brake lines, you want brake hose. click on that and you'll see what you need.

[android_proball]

My bad . Yes, I am looking to replace rubber hose that connects to caliper. I need them now, so autonomy is where I'm looking for replacements. Now, you mention the flexibility, how about these? Will THEY work?

http://www.autozone.com/autozone/par.../N-iwry5Z8knp9

[Leung]

My bad . Yes, I am looking to replace rubber hose that connects to caliper. I need them now, so autonomy is where I'm looking for replacements. Now, you mention the flexibility, how about these? Will THEY work?

http://www.autozone.com/autozone/par.../N-iwry5Z8knp9

yeah brake hose is what you want.

[android_proball]

yeah brake hose is what you want.

AWESOME, Hey dude you Rock! - thanks for helping me out most, it's easier now.

[Leung]

You might want to pick up a bottle of brake fluid too because you might lose some in the process of changing out those lines plus you need to bleed the brakes after replacing them.

[android_proball]

Yeah, I'm gonna buy Liquid wrench and dot3 fluid. Plus flared wrench

[android_proball]

Another q' Real quick.. Can I use the same line for both passenger and my side? (x2) the pieces?