How to Inspect the Car Brake Hose

Video Transcript

"Hi! My name is Nate McCullough on behalf of expertvillage.com. In this clip we are going to talk about one of the components that needs inspecting during any kind of brake service. The first component that needs inspected is the hydraulic hose. That's this flexible portion here. The reason why they make it flexible is because as the suspension oscillates up and down and you steer the wheel's turn. It would bend the line and it would break. They use this high pressure hydraulic hose. It's made with several components in it. These are your fittings here; one herewith the retainer bracket and one down at the caliper. The construction of the actual hose; the way it is made is with a small rubber tube on the inside. The tube is approximately the same diameter on the inside as your line. That is used only to carry the fluid where it is going to the caliper. Outside of the rubber hose is your nylon reinforcement. That's what gives the hose its actual strength; the braiding of the nylon. You are going to want to inspect to see if you can see any cracks next to these fittings. These are pivot points. Over time this outside protected layer of rubber, this line portion, will dry rot and crack. That will expose the nylon reinforcement and cause it to fray. Once there is any fraying noticed, the hose is no longer any good. It's not too uncommon to see the failure in these; around the 100,00 mile mark. This hose in particular happens to be good. It is still flexible and its not twisted. That is the proper way to inspect your brake hose. "