brake hoses lifespan

steptoe · Post by **steptoe** » Thu Jan 15, 2015 8:08 am

Anyone ever renew their brake hoses?

I think my Brumby was about twenty years old, had just minor little surface cracks on one hose. According to the Safety Check Standards used by inspectors, Rule 101 states "NOTE: Cracked or split outer casing on the hose is not a reason for rejection"

So, of course, budget conscious me felt no need to replace it - until one day, lucky was only slowing down to come to a complete stop to give way from a slow speed anyway - foot went to the floor on the brake pedal ! And for that moment it felt like I had free energy of wet ice slipping on wet ice

suddenly realised what was about to happen if the handbrake did not pull me up (there is no emoticon available to express that ! )

I pulled up just in time saving my arse or insurance excess - still don't have a funeral plan in place either.

Was only a mile or so from a safe haven fo me to go get a hose made.

I recall thinking when my other car was about 20 years old I should go get new brake hoses all around - that happened when I figured 42 year old hoses was pushing my luck just a bit too far. I got a better pedal feel with new hoses on that one.

At the point of getting new hoses again for a Brumby before it even gets out on the road as a 25 year old. I knocked back the offer of braided hoses from one maker, just happened to mention to him that cracked hoses were not a fail to which he sorta said, that could not be correct. It is true, it is correct!

One hose maker of rubber brake hose wanted same price as the braided hose maker to make one hose !

Silverbullet · Post by **Silverbullet** » Thu Jan 15, 2015 4:27 pm

Now you've got me thinking about the hoses in my ute

I know at least one of the front ones is badly cracked at the joiner in the middle of the hose, for mounting bracket. Custom made braided hoses can be pricey for the budget minded, but once you feel the difference you might be convinced they are worth the extra.

FujiFan · Post by **FujiFan** » Thu Jan 15, 2015 5:39 pm

I have braided lines on the front of the L series. Not so much because the originals were stuffed, more so to improve pedal feel and wasted energy.

David D · Post by **David D** » Fri Jan 16, 2015 5:46 pm

I replaced mine a year or so back. My Brumby is 1987 model and I suspect the hoses had not been previously replaced. Guess I was lucky they all held out until I got round to it. Would have loved to have gone braided but, as usual, budget ruled over all else!
Once put braided hoses on the front of a Mini once and the difference was amazing. However, the old rubber ones were pretty tired.

Cheers

David

sublime · Post by **sublime** » Fri Jan 16, 2015 10:03 pm

I completely replaced all the brakes on my 1974 sedan from 4 wheel drums to 4 wheel discs. This was mainly because the brake fluid keep disappearing. I thought it would have been one of the wheel cylinders but they all checked out fine so I can only assume it was the old hoses.

Still, not bad for the original hoses to last for 40 years without replacement!

sven '2' · Post by **sven '2'** » Sat Jan 17, 2015 9:26 am

FujiFan wrote:I have braided lines on the front of the L series. Not so much because the originals were stuffed, more so to improve pedal feel and wasted energy.

Could you feel an improvement over the aged originals?

How much?

FujiFan · Post by **FujiFan** » Sat Jan 17, 2015 10:01 pm

Could you feel an improvement over the aged originals?

Not so obvious with sedate driving, but harder and faster applications yes.

A bit off topic, however to expand briefly
What would really help with braided lines is bracing the master cylinder to reduce movement at the firewall, which is significant.

How much?

Hmm, a bit pricey even dear though ADR compliant. Not some off the truck special.

Back on topic, All rubbers even the best such as Japanese manufacture will eventually break down over years when exposed to environmental factors etc.

J

steptoe · Post by **steptoe** » Sun Jan 18, 2015 6:23 am

how much ? The fella looked at my sample and said "ah, Subaru " $77 each . Sample was a front hose. There are also one short hose each side at the rear from memory. Just new rubber gave better pedal in one case of mine.

nncoolg · Post by **nncoolg** » Sun Jan 18, 2015 6:33 pm

So do you think it's a matter of braided hoses feeling better than non braided ones or just better than 25+ year old ones?
I wonder would new regular hoses feel the same as new braided ones?

Also, is there a way you can tell if your hoses are swelling under pressure?

nncoolg · Post by **nncoolg** » Sun Feb 01, 2015 10:46 am

Not much action here, but I am a little excited to try out some braided lines, where is a good place to buy some? I would think it would be better if a supplier/manufacturer had already made them to suit an L/XT series 4 wheel disc vehicle before...

steptoe · Post by **steptoe** » Sun Feb 01, 2015 11:26 am

well, if the PM functioned, if I still had your email - or you answered the telling bone ... have some suggestions.

Are Vortex 4WD and L 4WD hoses same up front?
I have a mix of hoses to play with, need to renew the ones on my Vortex for POM and have newies sitting around for years front and back supposed to be ...maybe once I suckcessfully replace them, keep them as samples for you to send off to an authorised stainless braided protected hose maker close to you ?? Sav your beast being off the road

Silverbullet · Post by **Silverbullet** » Sun Feb 01, 2015 12:39 pm

steptoe wrote:Are Vortex 4WD and L 4WD hoses same up front?
I have a mix of hoses to play with, need to renew the ones on my Vortex for POM and have newies sitting around for years front and back supposed to be ...maybe once I suckcessfully replace them, keep them as samples for you to send off to an authorised stainless braided protected hose maker close to you ?? Sav your beast being off the road

I would have thought so...I got extended braided lines made up when I was still going to use MY calipers but those same lines still fit up now I've changed to all Vortex front end bits...couldn't see there being much difference between Vort and L series.

I think I've seen somewhere you can buy off the shelf braided lines for Brumby...stuffed if I know where now. I just take my old ones as samples to a place I know in Adelaide and they copy them in S/S braided, tested, plastic covering, street legal lines...choice of about 7 different colors too!

nncoolg · Post by **nncoolg** » Sun Feb 01, 2015 1:42 pm

do you have a name of said place Silverbullet, and how much hove they cost you?

Silverbullet · Post by **Silverbullet** » Sun Feb 01, 2015 2:09 pm

Power Brakes, looks like they do mail order as well which is handy. Pretty sure they were around $100 each, maybe $115. You could phone/email for a quote, you would probably have to send your old ones in for them to copy or they might even have a record of what's needed if they've done that vehicle before.

https://www.powerbrakes.com.au/index.ph ... 2004199908

FujiFan · Post by **FujiFan** » Sun Feb 01, 2015 8:29 pm

Also, is there a way you can tell if your hoses are swelling under pressure?

Maybe put a couple of small zip ties around each hose at a few mm's apart and see if they break/ become loose.

I am a little excited to try out some braided lines, where is a good place to buy some?

I had my front lines made at a local hydraulic service establishment, by taking in the originals as a reference.

J.

nncoolg · Post by **nncoolg** » Sat Feb 07, 2015 7:27 pm

By the way, what is the 'ADR compliant' aspect of braided hoses anyway? Wouldn't any well made braided hose be better than an OE one?

steptoe · Post by **steptoe** » Sun Feb 08, 2015 6:52 am

you would think so, just a stainless steel braid is going to draw its attention and confuse a lesser mortal possibly inspecting your car.....more than just a new rubber one. RTA training then kicks in for inspector to believe none of what they hear from the owner, half of what they see .......

YouTube · Post by **El_Freddo** » Sun Feb 08, 2015 8:54 am

I've been meaning to drop in on this convo for a while.

Ruby Scoo runs ADR approved braided lines all round - no point only doing front IMO. The braking system design links a front and opposite rear so there's two systems in case of an emergency failure. This way you've got something to use in the event of a failure and you won't put yourself into a dangerous spin while braking with this system.

Awesome improvement in brake pedal response with braided line, almost like going with rear discs again but in a different way. But as mentioned this could be due to going from factory original lines to brand new lines. Could be the same feel for stock replacements.

ADR approved braided lines are plastic coated. If not dirt and crap can work their way into the stainless weave over time and damage the integrity of the brake line.

Mine cost ~$370 in 2011/2012 for six hoses. I took the originals in to a brake specialist workshop. They copied two hoses and made four extra long units up to compensate for the lift. Worked awesome on the front going for the whole lift amount as the extra length. Next time for the rear I'd go for half of the lift height as the added length as I've looped that line to make it work properly. Not great but I couldn't afford to have the line modified at the time.

Take your old lines to them and they'll knock up a set for you. You could even take the vehicle into them and they'll do all the work for you but that'll = more $$$s. Personally custom coloured brake lines aren't my thing, mine came as an ash grey like colour. No wank factor here.

Cheers

Bennie

nncoolg · Post by **nncoolg** » Sun Feb 08, 2015 5:27 pm

Wait, a plastic coating - is that it!?
So I could use these Project U hoses then...

...they've been sitting in my garage for over 10 years, figured they were useless but worth too much to throw out!