Brake hose replacement
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Dec 2022
Posts: 273
Likes: 141
From: North Central Ohio
Brake hose replacement
While I have the car up on the Quickjacks doing some winter projects, got to looking at the brake hoses which look to be original. I'm contemplating replacing the hoses preemptively. Which brand of hose have you all had good luck with? Been looking at the Crown Performance braided lines.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 19,293
Likes: 1,110
From: Dyer, IN
While I have the car up on the Quickjacks doing some winter projects, got to looking at the brake hoses which look to be original. I'm contemplating replacing the hoses preemptively. Which brand of hose have you all had good luck with? Been looking at the Crown Performance braided lines.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Dec 2022
Posts: 273
Likes: 141
From: North Central Ohio
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 19,293
Likes: 1,110
From: Dyer, IN
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 1,948
Likes: 682
From: Avon Lake OH
I installed Stoptech hoses on mine several years ago. Even if she is strictly driven on the street, you will notice right away how much firmer the brake pedal feels compared to old rubber factory hoses. Make sure to flush the system with fresh DOT 4 rated fluid. If you have access to a Tech2 or clone, also make sure to bleed the ABS unit as well.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!
Joe Kucinski
5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!
Joe Kucinski
2027 Corvette Buyer's Guide: Everything You Need to Know!
Joe Kucinski
10 Things C8 Corvette Owners Hate (But Won't Tell You)
Joe Kucinski
10 Best Corvettes Coming to Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach 2026!
Brett Foote
Every Corvette Grand Sport Explained! (C2, C4, C6, C7, & C8)
Joe Kucinski
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Dec 2022
Posts: 273
Likes: 141
From: North Central Ohio
Just got a set of Russell hoses delivered today. Now waiting for a bit of warmer weather to get them in. I definitely intend to do a full brake system flush, just the flush was in my plan until I noticed the hoses were looking a bit aged!
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 87,294
Likes: 1,579
From: Western NY
I originally was using a Craftsman wrench, and it wasn't rigid enough to allow the nut to adequately tighten up. A friend of mine stopped in, to see what I was up to, out in the garage, and saw my dilemma. I just couldn't get the nut tight enough to get the stainless flare on the hose, to "snug up on the car's hard line. He went back to his house and came back with the Snap-On, flare nut wrench, and we were able to apply enough torque with it, to get a good seal. After you install the hoses, and bleed the lines, pump up the brakes, HARD, and hold the pressure for 30 seconds, or so, then check for leakage.
The good news is that my brake pedal seemed to be noticeably firmer, after the install of the stainless braded hoses....
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 19,293
Likes: 1,110
From: Dyer, IN
You most definitely will, but it will be from flushing the brake fluid, not from the hoses. Fresh fluid does wonders. If you end up tracking he car, you will absolutely reap the benefit of the stainless brake hoses.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 1,948
Likes: 682
From: Avon Lake OH
Good pointers noted above, especially the flare wrenches. One other note when flushing that I can add is to use a turkey baster (not your wife's good one!) and remove all the old fluid from the master cylinder reservoir first, then fill with fresh fluid fihen start the bleeding process. Keep an eye on the fluid level, its easy to run the reservoir dry if you don't. Start the long lines to the rear first, then the fronts or if you are using the Tech2, just follow its instructions.
Last edited by JHrinsin; Feb 14, 2025 at 01:31 PM.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 19,293
Likes: 1,110
From: Dyer, IN
You certainly can. It will just flush the fluid from the secondary circuits that the fluid only travels through when the ABS is activated. Under normal braking, the secondary circuits are closed off. You still have to do the manual bleed first in any case.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 87,294
Likes: 1,579
From: Western NY
Not trying to start an argument, but as I stated, I think that the stainless hoses improved my pedal feel. However, I replace the brake fluid annually, as a maintenance procedure, so technically, my car always has "fresh" brake fluid................
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 19,293
Likes: 1,110
From: Dyer, IN
My car always seem to run better after I clean and detail.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Dec 2022
Posts: 273
Likes: 141
From: North Central Ohio
Yes to all points! I am most definitely am going to bleed first, using a pressure bleeder. I check the reservoir after each corner and top off the MC before going to the next one. Might take a bit longer but then I know the MC won't run dry. And Lucky, it's kind of funny, they always seem happier after either a service or wash!!
I wish mind would. But if i don't wash it i'll never know.
