Max Advised Age of Brake Hoses?

[Ducked]

Put the caliper back together and putting "new" hoses on.

Long one ( for front right, though I don't think they are "handed") has "2008/10/10" on the back of its stock tag.

Short one (for rear) has "1997/08/23"

If that means what I think it does the short one is 19 years old!

By analogy with tyres, that might be a bit too old.

A couple of commercial websites suggest the average service life is six years (which I find a bit hard to believe), but I havn't seen any shelf life recommendations.

Of course it isn't being flexed or pressurised on the shelf, but OTOH oxygen has direct access to the inside.

The long one certainly looks better than the one I took off, which has a (cosmetic?) split in the outer sheath. Havn't taken the rear one off for a good look yet.

http://www.hartlandservice.com/custom/Brake_Hose_Service.pdf

"Average life of a brake hose is six years"

http://www.hoseandfittingsetc.com/technical-info/inspecting-brake-lines

The estimated life of a typical 'rubber' brake hose is 6 years, according to BrakeQuip

 

[Chris142]

I see 60's cars with original brake hoses on them

 

[tomcat27]

I figure to get roughly 10-15 years out of them - of course conditions may vary. My Yamaha calls for new brake hoses every 4 years.

 

[MinamiKotaro]

Did they fail? Then they were too old.

 

[supton]

Originally Posted By: MinamiKotaro
Did they fail? Then they were too old.


Probably the best answer.

Too many cars here with 2 and 3 decade old hoses to really believe it's a big issue. At least in New England the steel lines give up first--at which point might as well replace the rubber lines too.

 

[SZR48207]

Originally Posted By: Chris142
I see 60's cars with original brake hoses on them


Ditto. My old 80s Honda dual sport was on the original brake lines and would stop on a dime.

It's not to say that brake lines don't ever need replacing, but that pre emotively replacing them seems to have dubious value.

Now if it's a race car that regularly gets the brake fluid near boiling then maybe it's not a bad idea to replace them every few years.

 

[Kuato]

I replace mine when they show signs of cracking. I've had one fail, many years ago, that was ten years old and starting to crack on the outside. Not fun.

 

[eljefino]

Rubber has a (expensive) preservative that keeps it chill. The tire people assume a six year life span and make it happen via planned obsolescence.

I would hope that brake hose rubber engineers work to a higher standard, which is probably "the life of the car."

I just replaced original hoses on a 33-year old mercedes. Old ones worked fine but were starting to surface-crack. 25 years IMO is a decent, conservative WAG.

 

[ChristianReske]

In Germany a saftey inspection for vehicles is mandatory every 2 years.

Rubber brake hoses of all manufacturers fail this inspection usually after 10-15 years, beacuse of cracks and / or "ripped" inside liner (like the belt in a Tire) that causes the hose to "Blow up" like a balloon.

Inspect them regularly and replace them every 15 years. Or replace them against Stainless steel ones and you dont have to worry about them anymore.

 

[SZR48207]

Originally Posted By: ChristianReske
In Germany a saftey inspection for vehicles is mandatory every 2 years.

Rubber brake hoses of all manufacturers fail this inspection usually after 10-15 years, beacuse of cracks and / or "ripped" inside liner (like the belt in a Tire) that causes the hose to "Blow up" like a balloon.

Inspect them regularly and replace them every 15 years. Or replace them against Stainless steel ones and you dont have to worry about them anymore.



But even stainless lines have an internal hose that can fail with enough time. I think it's a common misconception that stainless brake lines last forever, when they are really used to improve brake feel by not expanding as much under pressure.

 

[Ducked]

Originally Posted By: MinamiKotaro
Did they fail? Then they were too old.


No, but both the front ones had a split in the outer sheath, in the same place. Doubt they were significantly compromisesd structurally.

I suppose I was just having a "responsible" attack. I hope it won't become a habit.

 

[Ducked]

Originally Posted By: ChristianReske
In Germany a saftey inspection for vehicles is mandatory every 2 years.

Rubber brake hoses of all manufacturers fail this inspection usually after 10-15 years, beacuse of cracks and / or "ripped" inside liner (like the belt in a Tire) that causes the hose to "Blow up" like a balloon.

Inspect them regularly and replace them every 15 years. Or replace them against Stainless steel ones and you dont have to worry about them anymore.



Well 15 years sounds like a reasonable conservative guideline, but its slightly undermined in this case by one of the "new" replacements being 19 years old.

I'm surprised the inspection interval is 2 years in Germany, though I suspect if I had to pass a German inspection I wouldn't bother having a car.

In the UK its one year, and is quite anal enough, thanks.

Here, its every six months, and, ...er...isn't.

 

[Ducked]

Originally Posted By: eljefino
The tire people assume a six year life span and make it happen via planned obsolescence.


Last I checked (admittedly a while ago) the tyre people recommended a 10 year life span. Its the car people (who have nothing to lose) who recommend a six year life span.

I havn't seen any evidence for "planned obsolescence", (In engineering terms. The recommendation itself tend to encourage it.) though I have seen evidence (Explorer/Bridgestone) of the occaisional screw-up.

 

[meborder]

Seems like I tend to have problems with the rubber hoses after about 10 years. Usually it is an internal failure that causes delayed engagement or release.

Just changed both front hoses on the 06 expedition today in hopes of solving the quick dart to the right upon tip in. If you step into the brake gradually, it stops straight, but if you hit them quickly then it darts to right momentarily then brakes straight.

Thsts fun when pulling a trailer....

I'll know tomorrow if I was right.

 

[Ducked]

Originally Posted By: meborder
If you step into the brake gradually, it stops straight, but if you hit them quickly then it darts to right momentarily then brakes straight.



I'd have thought that suggests one of your calipers is hanging up a bit.

 

[Nick1994]

I just changed the brake hoses on the front of the 1970 VW Beetle last month because I pushed the brake pedal hard and blew one out, I'm sure it was original. I had already done the rears so now it's set.

 

[ChristianReske]

Originally Posted By: Ducked


Well 15 years sounds like a reasonable conservative guideline, but its slightly undermined in this case by one of the "new" replacements being 19 years old.



Yes, but i think it is a big difference if a brake hose is sitting on a shelf in a stock, dry, packaged, same temperature the whole time in darkness, or is in actual use on a car.

VW for example stamps some spare parts with a expire date. Dont know about brake hoses.

 

[ChristianReske]

Originally Posted By: Reddy45

But even stainless lines have an internal hose that can fail with enough time. I think it's a common misconception that stainless brake lines last forever, when they are really used to improve brake feel by not expanding as much under pressure.


You are right, but assuming that Stainless Steal brake lines last two or three times longer than rubber ones, they should last the lifetime of a car. But yes, they ned regular inspection also.

 

[meborder]

Originally Posted By: Ducked
Originally Posted By: meborder
If you step into the brake gradually, it stops straight, but if you hit them quickly then it darts to right momentarily then brakes straight.



I'd have thought that suggests one of your calipers is hanging up a bit.


It's a possibility.

In my experiences when it pulls one way consistently, it is an indication of caliper problems. But when it pulls initially then straightens out, then it is an indication of restricted fluid flow.

I'll know today.

Partly why I'm hedging on the hoses is the fact that the front brakes are pretty fresh and I pulled the pins and lubed everything with NAPA Sil-Glide making sure it was all moving freely.

We will see..

Used genuine AC Delco hoses LOL

 

[HTSS_TR]

Originally Posted By: Ducked
Originally Posted By: eljefino
The tire people assume a six year life span and make it happen via planned obsolescence.


Last I checked (admittedly a while ago) the tyre people recommended a 10 year life span. Its the car people (who have nothing to lose) who recommend a six year life span.

I havn't seen any evidence for "planned obsolescence", (In engineering terms. The recommendation itself tend to encourage it.) though I have seen evidence (Explorer/Bridgestone) of the occaisional screw-up.

I know for sure all parties in Arizona, Nevada ... agree 6 years under the hot sun is enough.