Brake Repair - Brake Hose Replacement

The brakes on your vehicle operate with the aid of a hydraulic system. When the pedal is pressed, the master cylinder is moved, making pressure within the system, which is then transferred to the discs and calipers with a special fluid within the hoses and lines within the system. Due to the fact that this is such a vital aspect of the system, the best way to fix a brake hose is by replacing it completely. In this article, we will walk you through the steps involved in a DIY hose replacement. 

Step 1 – Make sure that the vehicle is parked in a flat area. Place it in park and assign the parking brake. The engine should be turned off and the keys removed. 

Step 2 – Grab a brick or wood block and place it behind the rear wheel. Find the jacking point by the brake hose that requires replacement. Information regarding the these locations can be found in your vehicle’s owner’s manual. Take off the hubcap from the wheel you are working on and loosen the lug nuts, making sure not to remove them completely. The jack should then be slid under the vehicle. Raise the vehicle up just enough for your to comfortably work underneath it. Next, lock the jack in place. 

Step 3 – Now, you can remove the lug nuts. The wheel is now free to be removed from the hub. Apply a penetrating lubricant around the hose and give it a minute to soak in. Wipe up any dirt, debris and gunk surrounding the line with an old rag. 

Step 4 – Next, you will remove the line. This can be accomplished from the end of the hose found at the front of the vehicle. Most of these hoses come standard with a hex coupling, which attaches to the main brake line. Using a wrench, hold the hex on the line steady while loosening the hex on the hose with the other. This will prevent damage to the metal lines. A plastic bag should be placed over the end of the line and secured in place with a rubber band. 

Step 5 – Loosen and remove the other end of the line found right next to the wheel hub in the same way you did with the first end. 

Step 6 – The first end of the line should then be connected to the nipple on the outside of the wheel hub. Use a wrench to tighten. 

Step 7 – Take off the plastic bag from the end of the line before threading the new hose into position. Use two wrenches to tighten.

Step 8 – The tire should be replaced. Secure the lug nuts and lower the jack so that the car can rest on the ground. Remove the block or brick from behind the wheel. 

Step 9 – Bleed the brakes in order to equalize the system pressure while ensuring that all the air bubbles have been removed.