Front brake hose temporary plug
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 233
Likes: 9
From: Marietta Ga
Front brake hose temporary plug
Does anyone know of a decent temporary plug for the threaded "caliper end" brake hose? I'm replacing a front left caliper and need to spin the caliper off the hose (my hard line flare nut flats are a mess and I'd rather not make it worse.)
I'm getting ready for a brake fluid dump when I break that loose from the caliper....and would rather have a plug of some type handy so i can refill the MC if needed during the swap out.
Any neat ideas out there?
I'm getting ready for a brake fluid dump when I break that loose from the caliper....and would rather have a plug of some type handy so i can refill the MC if needed during the swap out.
Any neat ideas out there?
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 108
Likes: 17
From: Blue springs mo.
Brake hose temp plugs
Does anyone know of a decent temporary plug for the threaded "caliper end" brake hose? I'm replacing a front left caliper and need to spin the caliper off the hose (my hard line flare nut flats are a mess and I'd rather not make it worse.)
I'm getting ready for a brake fluid dump when I break that loose from the caliper....and would rather have a plug of some type handy so i can refill the MC if needed during the swap out.
Any neat ideas out there?
I'm getting ready for a brake fluid dump when I break that loose from the caliper....and would rather have a plug of some type handy so i can refill the MC if needed during the swap out.
Any neat ideas out there?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 8,336
Likes: 2,809
From: Cool Northern Michigan
Any time you want to plug the masters two ports, just go to NAPA. Hanging on the wall are short premade brake lines, one foot long, with a brass fitting on each end.
You will need to know both master port sizes, diameter and thread pitch, they do not match. Off-hand I don't remember the sizes.
Then after installing the lines, figure a way to block off the other end. I bought a couple more fittings to do that. Or just bend & pinch it off.
Now you have two master cylinder test lines.
Never use a bolt to block the ports.
You will need to know both master port sizes, diameter and thread pitch, they do not match. Off-hand I don't remember the sizes.
Then after installing the lines, figure a way to block off the other end. I bought a couple more fittings to do that. Or just bend & pinch it off.
Now you have two master cylinder test lines.
Never use a bolt to block the ports.
1967 Pedal Car Champion
Joined: Mar 2020
Posts: 9,034
Likes: 4,176
From: US-PNW
A year or two ago I went through the exercise of trying to locate a commercial threaded cap that would work. No joy. Seems odd that there's nothing ready-made to stop the fluid from leaking out the entire line without pinching the rubber hose, but here we are. Wouldn't be all that difficult to create a cap with an o-ring to serve as the flare seat but I've not put that much effort into the project.
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Racer
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 383
Likes: 143
From: Pine Ridge FL
+1 to DWAVette's suggestion. Used the same exact kit for my brake lines and the little pink ones worked perfectly. I changed all my lines, hoses, and calipers using these often leaving them on for days at a time with out loosing any fluid.
Instructor
Joined: May 2021
Posts: 225
Likes: 73
From: Missouri
IIRC when I did this I left the MC cover on and although some break fluid leaked out, it was just a bit. I believe if you leave the cover on it will not drain out of the MC as no air will enter the MC. Put the new hose back on before opening the MC to refill and I think you'll be fine.