Although they’re not the most noticeable part of your vehicle’s braking system, your brake hoses are crucial to your road safety and must be maintained like any other part. They will wear out and affect your vehicle’s performance over time.
When it’s time to buy a replacement brake hose, you should be equipped with the necessary know-how to make sure you get the right one. In this article, you’ll learn all about brake hoses, the different types, when they need replacing, and how much it will cost you.
What Is a Brake Hose?
Brake hoses and lines are used to connect the various parts of the hydraulic brake system. There are typically metal brake lines running from the master cylinder to the rubber brake hoses. The brake hoses, which are usually made of rubber and can flex, connect the brake lines to the brake calipers at each wheel.
How Is a Brake Hose Different From a Brake Line?
Both brake hoses and brake lines act as conduits to transport brake fluid from the master cylinder. The difference is that the brake lines are metal tubes that connect the majority of the brake system and run the length of the vehicle. On the other hand, the brake hoses are usually made of rubber and are typically only long enough to connect one of the brake lines to one of the brake calipers.
What Are the Different Types of Brake Hoses?
In general, there are two types of brake hoses: rubber and stainless steel. Most modern cars have rubber brake hoses because these parts are more flexible than their stainless steel counterparts.
Rubber Brake Hose
Made of flexible rubber, a rubber brake hose can come layered with fabric netting for extra protection.
Rubber brake hoses provide great braking performance, work in a wide temperature and hydraulic pressure range, and are more affordable than their stainless steel counterparts. They are used on each front wheel to allow for steering and suspension movement and at the rear to allow for rear suspension travel.
Although rubber brake hoses are resistant to high pressure, they can still crack, blister, or leak. So they should be inspected at least every six months.
Stainless Steel Brake Hose
Stainless steel brake hoses are rigid and durable. They have sheaths of stainless steel on their outer surface.
Compared to rubber brake hoses, stainless steel brakes hoses are less prone to physical damage from corrosion and environmental conditions. However, they are also more expensive and less flexible.
How Much Does It Cost to Replace Brake Hoses?
An aftermarket brake hose replacement can cost you anywhere from $20 to $80 on parts alone. The price of a brake hose depends on various factors, like the part’s brand, material, and your vehicle’s specifications.
As for labor, you can expect to pay around an extra $100 to $250 to have your damaged brake hose professionally replaced. Of course, this is only an estimate and might vary from the rates in your area.
What to Consider When Looking for a New Brake Hose
With plenty of options on the market, it can be tricky to shop for a new brake hose for your vehicle. To help you narrow down your options, here are some factors to consider when shopping for a new brake hose:
Application
Always check for fitment before buying a new brake hose for your vehicle. Getting a replacement designed specifically for your vehicle’s year, make, and model guarantees a perfect fit and hassle-free installation.
Quality
Choose a brand you trust when looking for a new brake hose for your ride. A brake hose is crucial to your safety and the overall operation of your vehicle, so the replacement should be durable and made of high-quality materials.
Finding the perfect replacement brake hose for your vehicle should be easy as long as you follow the tips listed above and look through credible product reviews. You should be able to choose the right brake hose for your ride as long as you remember to check your vehicle specifications or consult your trusted mechanic.
Brake Hoses FAQ
Absolutely! The brake hoses are responsible for delivering hydraulic pressure to your vehicle’s brakes. If one of the hoses fails, the brake system either won’t work properly or won’t work at all, making the vehicle unsafe.
If one of your car’s brake hoses fails, you’ll either have severely reduced braking ability or no braking ability at all, depending on the system design. So, a failed brake hose is a serious problem.
Meanwhile, a constricted brake hose can cause the brakes on your vehicle to remain applied, which can cause excessive brake pad wear and unequal braking. It can also cause your ride to pull unevenly to one side.
You should not drive with a damaged or broken brake hose as the problem can lead to severely reduced braking ability or no braking ability at all. So if you think your brake hose is damaged, err on the side of caution and refrain from driving your ride until the problem is fixed.
According to professional mechanics, a rubber brake hose usually lasts for about six years. A steel brake line, on the other hand, can last between five and ten years or longer.
However, it’s important to note that these are only estimates. How long a brake hose will last depends on the quality of its material and the conditions (driving and weather) it’s subjected to. Because of this, it’s safe to say that you should replace your brake hoses once they show serious signs of wear.
Also, keep in mind that you should always replace your brake hoses in pairs. If one side is already damaged, the other side might not be far behind. After all, both brake hoses have been subjected to the same weather and operating conditions, so it’s better to replace them at the same time.
Check out these videos for tips on how to replace brake hose:
Where to Get a New Brake Hose for Your Vehicle
As mentioned, you should avoid driving with a damaged brake hose because it can cause braking difficulties, making driving dangerous. If you want to replace it as soon as possible but are struggling to find a replacement that fits your ride, consider shopping at CarParts.com.
It’s easy to find compatible brake hoses in our catalog. Simply enter your ride’s year, make, and model into the vehicle selector. If you have a specific brand, price, or feature in mind, use our filters to further narrow down the selection.
Our replacement parts come at competitive prices, so if you’re on a tight budget, you can get a high-quality brake hose without breaking the bank. All our products are also on hand and ready to ship from a warehouse near you. So if you place your order today, we can have it delivered to your doorstep in as fast as two business days.
Don’t let a bad brake hose keep your daily driver cooped up in your garage. Shop for a replacement today!
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Any information provided on this Website is for informational purposes only and is not intended to replace consultation with a professional mechanic. The accuracy and timeliness of the information may change from the time of publication.
