Looking for Braided Hose Sleeve Install Tips
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 842
Likes: 45
From: St Paul, MN; Orlando, FL
Looking for Braided Hose Sleeve Install Tips
I'm thinking there must be secrets to fitting the braided sleeve so it looks good following hose curves, is tight and is secure at the ends. Instructions on the kit I just got as a gift are not clear, to say the least!
Would appreciate any advice from those who have done this and are satisfied with the results.
Thanks in advance!
Would appreciate any advice from those who have done this and are satisfied with the results.
Thanks in advance!
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 13,760
Likes: 75
From: Haymarket VA
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 842
Likes: 45
From: St Paul, MN; Orlando, FL
However, I'm talking about using the braided sleeve that you pull over your existing radiator & other hoses---The Poor Man's Path to Braided
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 3,379
Likes: 502
From: Jacksonville Florida
I have used different sized wooden dowels. First put the fake braid over the dowel and it will fit the rubber hose much easier. I even used a rolling pin from the kitchen for radiator hoses. I know it sounds crazy, but with patience, you can do a really nice job.
Last edited by 1983JZR3W; Dec 15, 2010 at 03:07 PM.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 842
Likes: 45
From: St Paul, MN; Orlando, FL
Do you roll a little excess lenght from each end into the hose before re-coupling it to keep some tension on the braid?
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 3,379
Likes: 502
From: Jacksonville Florida
Yes, a little excess is good. Also, I gently twist the braid to keep it nice and tight on the rubber hose. If not, the braid will expand and show the rubber hose in areas. It is a slow process to do it right, but well worth the look when your are done. Good luck, let me know how it turns out.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 842
Likes: 45
From: St Paul, MN; Orlando, FL
Yes, a little excess is good. Also, I gently twist the braid to keep it nice and tight on the rubber hose. If not, the braid will expand and show the rubber hose in areas. It is a slow process to do it right, but well worth the look when your are done. Good luck, let me know how it turns out.
I plan to start the job right after New Years (I'm doing some LED mods at the moment); and I'll keep at it until I get it right! These sleeve kits are inexpensive enough to re-do a lot of mistakes!
By the time I'm done maybe I can figure out how to post a pic......
