98 v70 rubber brake line

[cn90]

In my experience, SS hoses are not better than stock hoses.

I have many cars over the years, after some 10 years/100K, the front hoses usually crack.
Remember one thing, brake system is:
- crucial, imagine you lose the brake while going at 60 mph!
- what if you injure or kill someone when your brake fails?
- not to mention you can total your car or the trees?
etc. etc.

The liability is too much to sit on the problem.

A brake hose is only $12 for ATE brand. It is not difficult to replace.
I wrote a brake hydraulic system overhaul a while back...

[FLXC90]

Hey Dad; Cracking-even all the way around is not good, but you are right, the rubber is a sheath to protect the inner line. get your parts ordered and change them next weekend. --The critical thing to look for is ANY swelling of the line, or, obviously any leakage- these indicate damage to the inner line and spell imminent disaster. BTW wrapping with tape will do nothing except provide some abrasion protection.
Also, I have found when working outside, a blue tarp tucked under the hood and the door makes a not necessarily cozy tent, but improved environment for such work, cuts wind and wet, still can see.

[98v70dad]

Agreed. I plan to get it fixed ASAP. However, I cant get it done today. That was the whole reason I asked about it. They are not leaking or seeping or bulged, they are just cracked 360 degrees around at the end fitting . In my opinion (not that knowledgeable) they shouldn't be left that way for very long, but they are still serviceable for another week.

From a practical standpoint I cant even get a part today unless I'm willing to settle for whatever NAPA has on hand. I checked our local NAPA and what they had was not what I want. The OEM volvo hoses only cost about $19.00 and I plan to order a set tomorrow at the dealership. OEM parts at the local dealership are usually very reasonable because they have an internet website.

[98v70dad]

Hey Dad; Cracking-even all the way around is not good, but you are right, the rubber is a sheath to protect the inner line. get your parts ordered and change them next weekend. --The critical thing to look for is ANY swelling of the line, or, obviously any leakage- these indicate damage to the inner line and spell imminent disaster. BTW wrapping with tape will do nothing except provide some abrasion protection.
Also, I have found when working outside, a blue tarp tucked under the hood and the door makes a not necessarily cozy tent, but improved environment for such work, cuts wind and wet, still can see.

I'm a design Engineer by profession and you shouldn't sell self fusing silicon tape short. its sold in the plumbing section at big box stores. Its useless for what they sell it for but I have repaired many things with it. It has no adhesive. It is an almost cured piece of silicon on a roll like tape. It fuses (sticks) to itself and cures into a solid. So you could wrap a line that wasn't bulged or seeping and get back the protective sheath function and even the strengthening function of the original outer shell. They sell it in the plumbing section as a temporary repair for plumbing leaks. The plumber told me it doesnt do that well at all.

I was thinking of it as a temporary repair.

[erikv11]

In my experience, SS hoses are not better than stock hoses. ...

This is interesting, would like to hear more, which ones have you tried? I have never used the SS braided hoses.

[cn90]

...The OEM volvo hoses only cost about $19.00 and I plan to order a set tomorrow at the dealership. OEM parts at the local dealership are usually very reasonable because they have an internet website.

- Front brake hose: I use FTE and love it, about $18/each:
http://www.eeuroparts.com/Parts/43774/B ... ont-37050/

- ATE brand is about $11 online.

You are right, don't use brand name you don't know.
ATE, FTE are the big names, made in Germany.

If the dealer sells it for $19, then I think it is a good price.

[draser]

While it is true that the inner tube carries the brake fluid, the outer rubber sheathing has actually another role: to carry the side forces generated onto the tubing walls while braking, and uniformly spread that force onto the length of the line. So like you suspected I'd get on it pronto.

[98v70dad]

Hopefully the dealer will have them in stock tomorrow. I found someone who will put my parts on for a reasonable price...I don't have time for it right now.

NTB wanted over $400 for 4 hoses and installation. Firestone wanted more. Neither of them could tell me what hoses they would get even though they were $42 each for the part alone. The only way both places could charge me for replacing the lost brake fluid and bleeding the brakes was to charge for a brake fluid flush and fill which costs about $70. This is why I do work myself. When confronted about the absurd cost, the salesman said "you know what it actually costs since you do work yourself, most people have no idea".

[cn90]

The FRONT 2 hoses are "easy".

The REAR 2 hoses:
- The LEFT side is OK, not too difficult.
- The hose lying on top of the delta links. Forget it. It is close to impossible unless you drop the delta links down to the ground!

So my advice is: replace only the FRONT 2 hoses. Probably 30 min per side.

Buy the ATE front hoses online and ask the mechanic to install them for you.

Detail below...

DIY: 98 V70 Brake Hydraulic Overhaul (Hoses, Seals, Parking)
https://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/forums ... hp?t=37721

[98v70dad]

Thanks. That really helps. It was only the front ones I noticed to be cracked. I just assumed if the two in the front were bad the back two would also be bad. The back ones don't have to follow the wheels as they steer so it makes sense that they would possibly last longer. I still think that they ought to be replaced at some point in the near future, but not tomorrow makes life a lot easier. I found a mechanic at a local gas station who would install them for just the labor and whatever brake fluid he used.

Honestly i really hate working on brakes, even if its an easy job. I don't have any room unless I'm outside. I essentially have a one stall garage and there is very little room between the car and the wall, especially on one side. That and bleeding brakes is a royal pain by yourself.