Member Since: 28 Aug 2006
Location: Mid-sussex
Posts: 2021
My Replacement of Flexible Brake Hoses (and calipers)
The flexible brake hoses are supposed to be changed every 7 years, so mine were overdue and I decided to get the 6 hoses from Steve at Advanced Factors, plus two new front calipers as one had started to stick.
All my original hose parts that are metal (blocks and ferrules), have been coated in grease for the last 7 years, since I read about rust becoming a problem, so I was not expecting too many problems. Only one retaining bolt on the from hub needed an Irwin remover, all the rest came undone without a problem. Putting the hoses back was fiddly at times, but 6 hours later the job was done.
If anyone is doing this job, the following may help.
Here are the parts I bought from AF
Click image to enlarge
With the caliper come a small dustcover, this is useful (see below) when disconnecting the pipe at top of the struts. I did not order any clips that hold the metal parts of the hoses in place because mine were all in good condition having been coated in grease. If yours are rusted, get 8 new ones (3 on rears, 1 on fronts).
Here is the useful dust cover in place stopping the fluid dripping out of the pipe
I did the rears first, NS and then OS. 11mm crows foot spanner is useful to get pressure on all faces of the nut. I had the corner on axle stand and then raised the hub with jack to get better access to the retaining bolt under the upper wishbone.
There are two pipes on each rear corner. I disconnected the top brake pipe beside the top of the strut and put the dustcover in place. That stopped the fluid flowing out.
When undoing the pipes, leave the U-clip in place as it stops the flexi hose turning - the metal block is shaped to the bracket. Make sure you locate it properly when fitting. I then attached the drain tube to the caliper, and undid it, collecting the fluid in a bottle. Worked down to the lower hose. Make a note of where the brake wear sensor and speed sensor are routed. A very large flat bladed screwdriver worked well to remove and push back the U-clips.
When refitting the pipes, I did the nuts up with my fingers to make sure nothing was cross threaded. If the metal ferrule is not quite lined up in the bracket, you can wiggle it as the nut tightens. Start at the caliper end and work back up towards the top brake pipe, that way you are less likely to drop dirt on open joints. Don't forget to put the U-clips in place and do up the bolts that retain the hose in place on the front hoses.
Once all back together - bleed brake fluid, making sure to keep reservoir topped up. I did use my Nanocom to do an ABS Bleed, but don't think it was necessary.
Click image to enlarge
Job done
Click image to enlarge
2005, TDV6 S, Auto, 190k miles, owned from new, V8 Brake Upgrade, Nancom Evo, RLD protector, BAS EGR blanking & Remap, separate ATF cooler, changing all the fluids ahead of time.
18th Oct 2015 5:02 pm
Robbie
Member Since: 05 Feb 2006
Location: ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Posts: 17932
Nice work.
Brake flexis are every 6 years or 90k.
Land Rover - Turning Drivers into Mechanics Since 1948
Member Since: 28 Aug 2006
Location: Mid-sussex
Posts: 2021
Thanks Robbie. I didn't need the left handed drill bits - the Irwin did its job.2005, TDV6 S, Auto, 190k miles, owned from new, V8 Brake Upgrade, Nancom Evo, RLD protector, BAS EGR blanking & Remap, separate ATF cooler, changing all the fluids ahead of time.
18th Oct 2015 6:58 pm
Robbie
Member Since: 05 Feb 2006
Location: ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Posts: 17932
Yep, the Irwins are great.
Land Rover - Turning Drivers into Mechanics Since 1948
Member Since: 15 May 2013
Location: Chester
Posts: 7633
Good stuff That's a job I'll do next year
18th Oct 2015 7:04 pm
Disgoeshere
Member Since: 06 Dec 2014
Location: North East
Posts: 278
Great write up,answered some questions thanks ,want to do this next year together with a V8 brake upgrade.
So plan to change all 4 calipers as well.I don't mean to sound cheeky but what caliper did you go for please?
The price difference in calipers are confusing across all suppliers, AF does sell good stuff and a fair price just wondering which to get.
Andy
18th Oct 2015 8:48 pm
Robbie
Member Since: 05 Feb 2006
Location: ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Posts: 17932
No need to change calipers for the sake of it.
Land Rover - Turning Drivers into Mechanics Since 1948
Member Since: 06 Dec 2014
Location: North East
Posts: 278
Good point Robbie,had a look at them on ours and they look like they have been on for quite some time,so plan was to change them next year preventive maintenance measure .We spend quite some time in France so not a bad thing trying to ensure all's well with the car.
We had a problem with pads and caliper a couple of years ago whilst there and it was not cheap to get it repaired.
Trw, Bearmach, britpart, reconditioned or new it all starts to get a bit confusing regarding price and quality
was interesting to see what others do.
Andy
18th Oct 2015 9:24 pm
Barn1e D3 Decade
Member Since: 28 Aug 2006
Location: Mid-sussex
Posts: 2021
I used the refurb calipers from AF. The hoses all looked like Bearmach OEM.2005, TDV6 S, Auto, 190k miles, owned from new, V8 Brake Upgrade, Nancom Evo, RLD protector, BAS EGR blanking & Remap, separate ATF cooler, changing all the fluids ahead of time.
19th Oct 2015 5:35 am
Scottydog
Member Since: 03 Aug 2015
Location: Scotland
Posts: 377
A quick question, why don't we fit ss braided hoses?
19th Oct 2015 10:53 am
Disgoeshere
Member Since: 06 Dec 2014
Location: North East
Posts: 278
Barn1e wrote:
I used the refurb calipers from AF. The hoses all looked like Bearmach OEM.
Thanks’ for that fella, it’s a good indication what other people go for at times. as it points to reliability in most cases.
19th Oct 2015 12:39 pm
sputnixb51
Member Since: 23 Apr 2013
Location: Morayshire
Posts: 833
Did my front ones today (Mot Failure) on 55 Manual also offside rigid pipe that’s a little tinker !
Because the flexi’s have had it I worked the top bracket until it snapped which gave me much better access to the bracket bolt and yes the Irwin and Sealey equivalents are brilliant for this particular job.
22nd Sep 2017 8:16 pm
jamesj74
Member Since: 28 Jun 2013
Location: Derbyshire
Posts: 89
What size are the bolts that secure the hanger plate to the hub? One of mine has sheared off at some point so I'll be drilling it out at the weekend and will need a new bolt... Temporary fix with cable ties...Smoked swooshy side repeaters
LEDs
Sill protectors
Tinted lights
GAP IID BT 3
LRP Tailgate release
RedTiger Dash Cam
19th Apr 2018 11:01 am
seacutter
Member Since: 07 Oct 2021
Location: Lauderdale
Posts: 17
Thank you for the write-up @Barn1e, my new lines arrived tonight and I'm attacking this in the morning. New calipers went on last week.
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