brake lines - hoses?
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brake lines - hoses?
82 F-150, 4.9L
I have been having a brake problem in my truck, I topped up the fluid resevoir for the rear brakes today and realized that there was a leak in the line between the master cylinder and the rear brakes. Is it alright if I replace the leaky line with a hose instead of a new line?
I have been having a brake problem in my truck, I topped up the fluid resevoir for the rear brakes today and realized that there was a leak in the line between the master cylinder and the rear brakes. Is it alright if I replace the leaky line with a hose instead of a new line?
Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2000
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From: Wichita USA
brake lines - hoses?
There is way too much pressure in the brake system for any rubber other than those designed for it. The easy way is to measure amount of line needed and replace from fitting to fitting. Also don't cut and flare on break lines. Get extra length and bend to take up extra line not needed.
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 1999
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From: Copley, OH
brake lines - hoses?
It's not that easy.
First off, the end fittings wouldn't be right, even if you could get some fool to make you up a long enough hose. Second, hoses don't hold up very well when tied under ths chassis where they can get cut, scraped and, for that matter, worn through by the cable ties.
Even if you could solve all of those problems, there's the minor fact that your brakes WOULD NOT work. Rubber hoses, even brake hoses, swell up like a balloon when they're pressurized. One of the many reasons that racecars use Aeroquip stainless braided teflon hose is to minimize this swelling and get a firmer and more predictable pedal. The factory brake hoses are kept as short as possible so that the amount of fluid (and as a result, brake pedal travel) used in expanding the system is kept to an absolute minimum. Go to a full length hose and your pedal would likely go straight to the floor and not even begin to stop your truck.
Brakes are the one area on a vehicle, any vehicle, with which you do not want to Mickey Mouse around. If you don't have the correct flaring tools and know how to use them, then bite the bullet and take it to someone who does. If you screw around with it, you're just driving a time bomb that's likely to kill you or, worse, an innocent bystander. Fix it or get it fixed right
First off, the end fittings wouldn't be right, even if you could get some fool to make you up a long enough hose. Second, hoses don't hold up very well when tied under ths chassis where they can get cut, scraped and, for that matter, worn through by the cable ties.
Even if you could solve all of those problems, there's the minor fact that your brakes WOULD NOT work. Rubber hoses, even brake hoses, swell up like a balloon when they're pressurized. One of the many reasons that racecars use Aeroquip stainless braided teflon hose is to minimize this swelling and get a firmer and more predictable pedal. The factory brake hoses are kept as short as possible so that the amount of fluid (and as a result, brake pedal travel) used in expanding the system is kept to an absolute minimum. Go to a full length hose and your pedal would likely go straight to the floor and not even begin to stop your truck.
Brakes are the one area on a vehicle, any vehicle, with which you do not want to Mickey Mouse around. If you don't have the correct flaring tools and know how to use them, then bite the bullet and take it to someone who does. If you screw around with it, you're just driving a time bomb that's likely to kill you or, worse, an innocent bystander. Fix it or get it fixed right
Freshman User
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 43
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brake lines - hoses?
I went out and got the metal lines and I'm currently installing them. I bought the "already flared" lines and a tubing bender. I'm only using this mobile as a yard truck anyways. Thanks for the advice
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