Brake hose lifespan??

[70herald]

Just brought the herald in to the mechanic prior to inspection and they said I probably need new front brake hoses. they are only about 5 years old. The outer rubber has lots of little cracks.
Any way to actually check the hoses?

 

[martx-5]

... The outer rubber has lots of little cracks.
Any way to actually check the hoses?

What's to check?? Lots of little cracks should be enough to tell you to change the hoses.

 

[Andrew Mace]

I think Art's right about that. Seems odd to me that OE hoses lasted for a very long time, and OE hoses on "newer" cars also seem to last pretty long, but replacement hoses for our cars (for that matter, almost anything rubber) don't hold up at all. Sad, really.

 

[Geo Hahn]

You'll know when they are too old -- unfortunately the exact words that will be going thru your mind when that moment arrives cannot be repeated here.

Do to a product unavailability I was 'forced' to use the braided lines on the TR3A and I have to say I like the resulting feel (okay, I also rebuilt the calipers and got new shoes but I really suspect the improved pedal was due to the braided lines).

 

[lbcs_r_fun]

Just brought the herald in to the mechanic prior to inspection and they said I probably need new front brake hoses. they are only about 5 years old. The outer rubber has lots of little cracks.
Any way to actually check the hoses?

Are you kidding? You may save a few shekels by waiting, but it could cost you your life!

 

[lbcs_r_fun]

I really suspect the improved pedal was due to the braided lines).

Huh? How could you explain that? This is a closed system, e.g., P1V1=P2V2, are you suggesting that the total volume represented by the standard hose is changing with pressure? And that of the SS sheathed hose isn't?

T

 

[SkinnedKnuckles]

I really suspect the improved pedal was due to the braided lines).

P1V1=P2V2

The improved pedal may have been from getting a better bleed on the system. And doesn't the P1V1 = P2V2 apply to a gaseous system?

 

[70herald]

I think Art's right about that. Seems odd to me that OE hoses lasted for a very long time, and OE hoses on "newer" cars also seem to last pretty long, but replacement hoses for our cars (for that matter, almost anything rubber) don't hold up at all. Sad, really.

OK, I was NOT planning on keeping these hoses, I am NOT suicidal

Are there any sources of GOOD hoses?

 

[70herald]

I really suspect the improved pedal was due to the braided lines).

Huh? How could you explain that? This is a closed system, e.g., P1V1=P2V2, are you suggesting that the total volume represented by the standard hose is changing with pressure? And that of the SS sheathed hose isn't?

T

Apparently, the standard hoses DO stretch under pressure.

 

[Geo Hahn]

...are you suggesting that the total volume represented by the standard hose is changing with pressure?

Exactly, as noted above -- the 'rubber' hoses are thought to exapnd a bit under pressure. Not much, but when you consider the rather small volume of fluid in the system a little matters.

 

[TR3driver]

I have installed the braided lines when changing nothing else; they did make a difference. Not a huge difference, but enough to notice if you are looking for it.

But one of the downsides of them is that the outer SS braid gives you no clue as to when the inner PTFE hose is starting to fail. The outer visible braid is only to provide abrasion protection, it has nothing to do with holding pressure.

I have them on all my Triumphs, in fact I moved them from the wrecked TR3A to the replacement TR3.

Not listed on the web site, but I'm pretty sure Ted Schumacher can have them made to suit your Herald:
https://www.tsimportedautomotive.com/
I felt the ones I got from Ted were better made than the ones from Rimmers; they had ends that matched my car instead of the adapters that Rimmers uses. But the ones from Rimmers seem to work fine.

 

[lbcs_r_fun]

I think Art's right about that. Seems odd to me that OE hoses lasted for a very long time, and OE hoses on "newer" cars also seem to last pretty long, but replacement hoses for our cars (for that matter, almost anything rubber) don't hold up at all. Sad, really.

OK, I was NOT planning on keeping these hoses, I am NOT suicidal

Are there any sources of GOOD hoses?

Doesn't Moss Europe trade in Israel? They should have something. Alternatively, any good hydraulic service center should be able to make up something to fit.

 

[SkinnedKnuckles]

But one of the downsides of them is that the outer SS braid gives you no clue as to when the inner PTFE hose is starting to fail. The outer visible braid is only to provide abrasion protection, it has nothing to do with holding pressure.

Not sure of your particular hose design, but the steel braid usually does help hold pressure with the PTFE hose/tubing. Takes the place of fiber windings on the hose itself. Again - have to see the hose to be sure.

 

[Andrew Mace]

Not listed on the web site, but I'm pretty sure Ted Schumacher can have them made to suit your Herald:
https://www.tsimportedautomotive.com/

Likely so, but in this case, Spitfire hoses are the same (as would be the case with any Herald having factory front disc brakes).