Brake line - fuse in the car

Every brake line in a car is subject to wear. Unfortunately, it is very rare for a driver to regularly check its condition. This is an element of the braking system that directly affects safety, and therefore the health and life of travelers. At the moment of loss of braking force, this does not happen freely, but suddenly. That is why the theme of the destruction of the brake system so often appears in the movies.

Brake hoses - a horror story from a movie or a real threat?

Surely you know more than one scene when the villain gets under the car of his enemy and cuts the brake pipes. This is an old tried and tested trick. Why do filmmakers use this theme so often? They know that people are not in the habit of monitoring the condition of their wires. However, the film is different from life. On screen, the protagonist (almost) always gets out of trouble unscathed, which he owes to his extremely high stunt skills. Everything in life ends much worse.

Brake Hose - Design

Why are brake lines installed in cars? They are responsible for transferring fluid pressure from the master cylinder to the rubbing parts of the system. For this reason, they should not be too soft or have an inside diameter that is too large. The brake hose must always be perfectly tightened, because even a slight tear in the material or damage to the threads at the ends leads to a weakening of the braking force.

Brake Hoses - Types

Brake lines on cars are of two types: 

• hard;
• elastic.

How do they differ from each other? The flexible brake hose is made of rubber. Most often, it connects parts of the braking system that move relative to each other. Of course, they also have special braided reinforcements. They are resistant to the action of brake fluid, which has corrosive properties.

Rigid brake lines - what is it?

Rigid fittings are made of stainless metals, which include:

• copper;
• galvanized steel;
• brass. 

Very often hard brake lines are placed on the master cylinder and servo. These are places where there is a sharp increase in pressure, and working conditions require the use of rigid and durable elements.

Rigid Brake Lines - Description

Rigid brake lines are not as vulnerable to damage. They do not make any movements and are not subject to mechanical damage. In extreme cases, they can be damaged by hitting an obstacle, stone or other hard object. However, their location next to the chassis means that the hard brake lines are not damaged.

Their average service life is estimated at about 10 years of operation. In some cases, factory-reinforced luxury car brake systems last up to 15 years. However, it must be remembered that their worst enemy is corrosion and mechanical damage. If they look badly worn, do not put off replacing the brake hoses until they are damaged.

Flexible brake hose - specifications

There is no denying that flexible brake hoses are more durable. They can be placed next to discs or drums. They are more resistant to suspension vibrations, wheel turns and other variable factors. The flexible brake hose made of rubber is also subject to wear and tear as a result of vehicle use, conditions or weather conditions.

Brake hoses and sports and luxury cars

In what situations can the presented cable models be unreliable? First of all, in cars with sports characteristics, or those that are not prepared for this and are used as sports cars. Faster movement also requires more frequent use of the brake pedal. And this causes an increase in pressure in the brake lines. 

This is similar to luxury cars, which often have powerful engines and are capable of high speeds. The weight of the car, combined with fast driving, causes the pressure on the discs to be very high, and a lot of pressure must be generated and transmitted. We are talking here about values ​​exceeding 120 atmospheres, and in sports cars even 180 atmospheres. Vehicles prepared for off-road driving or equipped with adjustable suspension can also suffer from rapid wear of the brake hoses.

Repair of brake lines - is it possible?

Perhaps you will find daredevils who will believe that the brake lines can be repaired. In fact, the only sure way to get rid of the problems associated with them is to replace them. Moreover, it is not worth your interest in the first best parts. The brake hose must be of the best quality. He is in charge of your life. 

Is it possible to replace the brake hoses in the car yourself?

There are no serious contraindications for self-replacement of such elements. Remember, however, that any change to rigid ducting must be accompanied by a change to flexible ducting. We should put in new ones.

Brake lines and fluid

Since you are already at the wires, take an interest in the brake fluid. Why? In most products, it is hygroscopic, indicating its ability to absorb water from the environment. The more it is in the composition of the liquid, the worse the properties of the substance itself. It is more susceptible to boiling and air in the system. As a result, braking power is scanty.

How to replace a brake hose?

Before proceeding with the replacement of brake hoses, it is necessary to prepare the appropriate tools and tools. Your kit should include:

• new brake fluid;
• old liquid tank;
• a set of keys (preferably ring with a cutout);
• rubber gloves and goggles (brake fluid is caustic);
• flexible and rigid brake lines;
• preferably a transparent ventilation hose;
• rust remover;
• a hammer.

With a kit prepared in this way, the repair of the brake line is sure to go smoothly.

Step-by-step repair of the brake line 

Start work by carefully unscrewing the brake hose. Keep in mind that liquid will come out of it, which will certainly have some pressure. Let it flow freely into the tank. As soon as it stops coming out, dispose of the damaged brake pipe. Of course, it won't be that easy, because the heat and wear cause the threads to be very tight. So be prepared for a lot of effort. Unscrewing the wires and installing new ones is only part of the success. Something else important is waiting for you. Which? Read more! 

Bleeding the brake system

At this stage, you will need the help of another person. The order in which the steps are performed is important. On vehicles equipped with ABS, bleed the brake system from the wheel farthest from the master cylinder. With each subsequent wheel, you get closer to it, blowing air out of the lines on all wheels. Remember not to miss any!

First, put a colorless rubber tube on the unscrewed valve and point it at the bottle or other container. There is air in the brake hose after replacement, which must be expelled from the system. You also need to add fluid. The second person at this time must fill the fluid into the expansion tank to the desired level and go to the car to press the brake pedal. During this process, air is released from the system. When you notice that only liquid is flowing without bubbles, you can close the pump and move on to the next circle. This process must be done carefully, as any residual air inside the system will impair brake performance.

As you can see, brake hoses are an extremely important element of any vehicle. While driving, it is important not only to effectively accelerate it, but also to stop it. Therefore, check the condition of the cables more often. Do not underestimate any signs of wear and constantly monitor the quality of the brake pedal. All this will allow you to safely move your car on the roads. long haul!