How To Change Brake Hoses

Brake hoses should be inspected once a year and replaced whenever leaking, cracking or splitting is discovered.

Make sure you have the proper tools and supplies required for this how to change brake hoses repair. Allow enough time to get the job completed (including bleeding the brakes), about 45 to 60 minutes for front & rear hoses and another 15 to 30 minutes to bleed the brakes.

A flare wrench set is necessary when working with brake hoses and lines to loosen the brake line fittings. A regular open-ended wrench does not have enough grip to remove these fittings.

Its a good idea to read through all the how to change brake hoses instructions before starting. Print this page and keep it with you while you’re working.

stopsign

Before doing any brake repairs, read this: In no event shall diy-brake-repair.com be liable for any consequential, incidental or direct damages incurred in the course of using the information in these articles. Please take your vehicle to a professional mechanic for any repair that is beyond your technical abilities.

How To Change Brake Hoses Instructions

Tools and supplies required:	You might need:
new brake hoses lug wrench, jack, jack stands flare wrench set - standard/metric flat blade screwdriver brake cleaner spray paper towels or shop rags	gloves penetrating spray wire brush rubber mallet pliers torque wrench anti-seize lubricant

1. Jack the car up and remove the wheel. Make sure the vehicle is in Park on automatics and Reverse on manual transmission vehicles. Set the parking brake unless you will be working on the rear brakes. Loosen the lugnuts 1/2 turn while the vehicle is still on the ground. Jack the car up on a level surface and support it with jack stands. Caution: Never work under a vehicle that is not supported by jack stands. Remove the wheel and set it aside.
How to change brake hoses tip: To remove brake dust off brake components and surrounding areas, always use brake cleaner spray. DON'T EVER USE COMPRESSED AIR to remove brake dust! Not only is it harmful to breathe brake dust, it can contain asbestos.
2. Loosen the upper brake hose connection. If necessary, clean off any road grime or loose rust off the brake line fitting with brake cleaner and a wire brush. Using a flare wrench, loosen the brake line nut - just enough to remove it by hand. Keep the nut attached at this point to minimize fluid loss. Some types of hoses will need a second wrench to support the brake hose fitting when removing the brake line nut.
3. Remove upper brake hose retaining clip. Remove retaining clip securing the hose to the upper bracket.
4. Remove intermediate brake hose bracket/clip. Remove the bracket or clip that is holding the brake hose to the strut, steering knuckle or A-Arm. A flat blade screwdriver, rubber mallet and/or pliers might be needed to remove the clip. Use a flare wrench to remove a bracket bolt, if present.
5. Remove the lower brake hose connection. Remove the lower fitting attached to the caliper or distribution block with a flare wrench. Note: Brake hose connections with banjo fittings use 2 copper crush washers - one on each side of the fitting. Make sure both copper crush washers are removed, they have a tendency to stick to the bolt and caliper. Crush washers should not be reused.
6. Remove brake hose. Unscrew the upper fitting by hand until the brake line nut is loose. Remove the brake hose.
7. Install the lower brake hose connection. Install the lower brake fitting or banjo bolt. If reinstalling a banjo bolt, be sure to install two new copper crush washers. A torque wrench should be used to tighten banjo bolts to avoid over tightening. General recommended torque ratings are: For steel calipers: 14 - 24 ft/lbs For aluminum calipers: 6 - 10 ft/lbs
8. Reattach intermediate brake hose bracket/clip. Reattach the bracket or clip that holds the brake hose to the strut, steering knuckle or A-Arm. Using anti-seize on bolts will make them easier to remove in the future.
How to change brake hoses tip: Make sure the brake hose is not twisted when installed. The hose should attach in a relaxed position. Improper installation could cause premature hose failure.
9. Screw on upper brake hose to brake line nut. With a new brake hose, screw the brake line nut into the upper brake hose fitting by hand. Just finger tight - don't tighten it all the way yet.
10. Reinstall the upper brake hose retaining clip. Reinstall brake hose retaining clips if removed.
11. Tighten the upper brake hose connection. Using a flare wrench, tighten the upper hose fitting. If necessary, use a second wrench to support the brake hose fitting when tightening the brake line nut.
12. Bleed the brakes. The brakes should be bled after the last hose is installed. How To Bleed Brakes Instructions

After completing any brake work always verify proper braking operation. Pump the brake pedal a few times to tighten clearances and build up pressure in the system. DO NOT DRIVE THE VEHICLE IF THE BRAKE PEDAL DOES NOT GET FIRM. If the brakes feel normal, test drive the vehicle by braking from various speeds with both a light and heavy pedal pressure.

blue divider

How to change brake hoses tips:

If possible, use a torque wrench on the banjo bolt to avoid over tightening the bolt. Always use the manufacturer's torque ratings whenever possible.
Use penetrate spray on any brake fittings that are difficult to remove. Avoid spraying the brake pads, shoes, rotor or drums which will leave a residue on the friction surfaces that will have to be removed with brake cleaner spray.
Check brake hose for interference after installation with the tires, body and other suspension parts with the vehicle in the air and on the ground. If necessary, turn the wheel lock-to-lock to check for rubbing.
Be careful with brake fluid dripping from the brake hose and hard line. Catch the fluid with a pan or newspaper. Use brake cleaner to remove any brake fluid spilled on the brake rotor and pads. Wash off brake fluid if spilled on paint with water.
If you buy new hoses, make sure they include new copper crush washers (for fittings with banjo bolts). If they don’t, you will need to purchase them separately. Copper washers should not be reused.

Return from How To Change Brake Hoses to DIY Brake Repair