Cracking on brake hose

02V70 · Post by **02V70** » 23 Jul 2023, 23:33

I noticed that the brake hoses on both sides of the front (didn't look at the rear yet) have a little bit of cracking on the end near the caliper. Is this ok, or do they need to be replaced immediately? Here is a photo:

Post by **jonesg** » 24 Jul 2023, 04:33

in my world they are good for another 5 years.

Post by **Krons** » 24 Jul 2023, 05:21

I would replace. Brakes (front especially) are something you want.

Post by **cn90** » 24 Jul 2023, 08:15

I wrote the tricks in forum, WD40 etc etc at junctions, wait a week before replacing it.

FCPEuro has Corteco or ATE for about $12/each.

Always replace in pair.

Then bleed brake hydraulic fluid later.

Post by **Blacklab467** » 24 Jul 2023, 12:32

They're real cheap and easy to replace so yes, time to do the brake lines. It will also give you an opportunity to bleed all the brakes and get some fresh fluid in the lines, if you're going to do that job you may as well get some emergency brake shoes and do those too, they'll either be worn out or becoming delaminated soon, again easy and cheap to change.

Post by **volvolugnut** » 24 Jul 2023, 12:52

Replacing brake hose is good preventive maintenance, especially with a brake fluid flush. Brake hose can also break down inside and cause problems.
volvolugnut

Post by **abscate** » 24 Jul 2023, 16:49

On the list of

Things to replace but not urgently. There is a lot redundance in those lines and they will seep before really causing brake issues

Post by **cn90** » 25 Jul 2023, 09:07

It depends...

If you live in States that require annual inspection, this
is definitely a fail.

Safety first, replace the hoses and bleed the system.
Easy easy job IF you know what you are doing.
Just spray the junctions before doing the job.

leapdragon · Post by **leapdragon** » 30 Jul 2023, 13:23

They're not "OMG do right now, do not wait 10 minutes" emergency, but you should put them on the "do at next paycheck" or similar list, i.e. days-weeks, not months-years.

It's super easy in theory. In practice, every time I have to do these, I end up swearing because the way they stick in the bracket at the top is like an IQ test for me that I invariably fail for some time on the first hose (I've done them on multiple P2 cars over the years).

The thing is, at the top, you *do not* just turn the obvious bit you think you turn with the wrench. You'll round it off and/or break your flare nut wrench and it still won't turn. This is because the hose is not "screwed down" into the bracket (which is what it looks like) but actually *sticking through* the bracket and held in place by it. You need to go to the side of the bracket you're not even thinking about and look for a separate nut to turn there, I think, and/or push the whole shebang backward out of the bracket first.

I always sit there trying to loosen it for an hour first before I go "OMG this is where I screwed up last time, this does not turn this way."