New brake hoses?
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 87,357
Likes: 1,592
From: Western NY
New brake hoses?
OK, I'll admit it, I like to tinker with, as well as improve/maintain my car(s). My C-5 is a low mileage, '01. It's been sitting out the winter, and hopefully I'll get it back on the road within the next couple of weeks.
As usual, I'll do the annual brake fluid flush, and since I'll be in there, I was thinking about maybe replacing the brake hoses, as they're now 15 years old. A couple of questions arise, of course....
Number one, do they really wear out/dry out severely, just due to age? The car has 25,000 miles on it. Number two, if they should be replaced, what's better for a street car, OE rubber or stainless braided? If stainless, there are several brands out there, and some use banjo fittings, while others use AN fittings. What's best?
TIA!
As usual, I'll do the annual brake fluid flush, and since I'll be in there, I was thinking about maybe replacing the brake hoses, as they're now 15 years old. A couple of questions arise, of course....
Number one, do they really wear out/dry out severely, just due to age? The car has 25,000 miles on it. Number two, if they should be replaced, what's better for a street car, OE rubber or stainless braided? If stainless, there are several brands out there, and some use banjo fittings, while others use AN fittings. What's best?
TIA!
1/4 mile/AutoX
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 11,441
Likes: 2,186
From: Buffalo Texas
I just replaced mine with steel braided(99 with 67,000) the rubber can expand and with age burst !!! Guys who have changed them say they get much better brake pedal feel(firm) I have not driven mine yet ??? If you have Active Handling you should use a Tech 2 for bleeding ???
1/4 mile/AutoX
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 11,441
Likes: 2,186
From: Buffalo Texas
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 32,910
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From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
If the outside rubber hose isn't damaged/ cracked or weather checked, there no reason to mess with them.
However, that being said, If you want a better brake pedal feel , you can get bradded hoses.
ALWAYS change the fluid completely if you do any brake system maintenance. The TECH 2 makes it easier but, you can do the service without one. JUST DON LET THE MASTER RUN DRY when you bleed the slaves!!
However, that being said, If you want a better brake pedal feel , you can get bradded hoses.
ALWAYS change the fluid completely if you do any brake system maintenance. The TECH 2 makes it easier but, you can do the service without one. JUST DON LET THE MASTER RUN DRY when you bleed the slaves!!
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 87,357
Likes: 1,592
From: Western NY
Thanks for the info, guys!
Maturity is defined by the age old statement......if it ain't broke, don't fix it! I think I've matured a little, over the years.
I do have the F45 suspension (why I ordered it, I'll never know.....well, I do, but that was 15 years ago. I know better now), and I don't have any problems at the moment, so maybe I'll just leave things alone. I will, however, change the brake fluid, using the vacuum pump that I've been using in the past.....
Now if the weather will just warm up, and not snow any more!!
Maturity is defined by the age old statement......if it ain't broke, don't fix it! I think I've matured a little, over the years.
I do have the F45 suspension (why I ordered it, I'll never know.....well, I do, but that was 15 years ago. I know better now), and I don't have any problems at the moment, so maybe I'll just leave things alone. I will, however, change the brake fluid, using the vacuum pump that I've been using in the past.....
Now if the weather will just warm up, and not snow any more!!
Last edited by leadfoot4; Apr 6, 2016 at 06:07 PM.
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 87,357
Likes: 1,592
From: Western NY
