Watch out installing new front brake hoses

[pierremcalpine]

Just another note on the job I completed last week replacing my front flex hoses. I'm not sure if I'm the only one that has had this happen but I'm pretty sure I ended up x-threading one of the connections into the caliper. I found it very difficult to find the correct angle to insert the ends at in order for them to thread smoothly into the caliper. What an odd design! An way, if you are going to be attempting this job soon, be sure to take your time threading carefully by hand pulling back if you feel any resistance. I thought I was gonna have to buy a new caliper but I finally lost patience and just kept tightening mine until if finally gripped and threaded the rest of the way. I would not want to be the one replacing it next time though!

[GreenBrick]

I did that with a spark plug once.... Not a proud moment...

[Brendan W]

Originally Posted by GreenBrick

I did that with a spark plug once.... Not a proud moment...

Start them off with a piece of garden hose.

[pierremcalpine]

Originally Posted by GreenBrick

I did that with a spark plug once.... Not a proud moment...

ouch, downer.

[oragex]

Felt the same about the caliper. It was just soo hard to start the hose, the threads just don't want to catch , while the brake fluid reservoir is emptying on the floor (with the risk of getting air inside the ABS module which requires a special bleeding with Vida hooked to it).

It is better to start the hose first at the caliper while blocking the upper brake lines with something so they don't leak all the fluid.

[GreenBrick]

Originally Posted by Brendan W

Start them off with a piece of garden hose.

I normally do use a piece of pipe or something, but I was talking to my wife on the phone and used the socket set instead. I know still my fault, but I can blame her.

In my defence I did recut the thread with a suitable tap and it came out fine in the end...

[pierremcalpine]

Originally Posted by oragex

Felt the same about the caliper. It was just soo hard to start the hose, the threads just don't want to catch , while the brake fluid reservoir is emptying on the floor (with the risk of getting air inside the ABS module which requires a special bleeding with Vida hooked to it).

It is better to start the hose first at the caliper while blocking the upper brake lines with something so they don't leak all the fluid.

I've been using a trick that VIDA suggests so that fluid does not come out while replacing brake system parts. With car ignition off but in position II, Put a 2x4 in front of front drivers seat and wedge it against the brake pedal. Then use the fore/aft seat adjuster to put pressure on brake pedal until its relatively firm (don't over do it as it will strain the seat motor). Apparently when the brake pedal remains depressed, fluid will not come out of hoses...don't quite understand this principle but it definitely works. No need for ignition to be on during any of this procedure but do remember to take the 2x4 out before you start your bleeding.

[GreenBrick]

Once the pedal is pressed, access for the fluid in the reservoir to the rest of the system is cut off, by the nature of the internals of the master cylinder, if no air can get in, the fluid won't run out. I remember my friend's dad had done this trick, but until now, I didn't understand why.

Thanks!

[Willow place]

I cannot understand how fluid will not escape, the pipe is under pressure, so when replacing a hose fluid will jet out at some force , Dangerous !! On all the vehicles I have owned I just take the cap off of the master cylinder and place some cling film over the top and replace the cap .

[pierremcalpine]

Originally Posted by Willow place

I cannot understand how fluid will not escape, the pipe is under pressure, so when replacing a hose fluid will jet out at some force , Dangerous !! On all the vehicles I have owned I just take the cap off of the master cylinder and place some cling film over the top and replace the cap .

I thought the same but having used this technique a few times now I can confirm that it works. Heck I left my hoses disconnected for over a week as I worked on the solid pipes. No leakage.