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I noticed yesterday that my left hand front flexible brake hose is very perished and cracked. Does any one have any tips on replacing these? I have brake spanners etc, but concernerd that the union will be very rusted and tight. Also, I've heard problems with cars when all the fluid leaks out of the ABS unit and causes problems when bleeding the system. Is there a way I can minimize the risk of this?

Thank you all that are knowledgeable!

Wire brush the ends of the union and soak them in WD40 overnight and a few minutes before you do the job.

If the unions are too tight to undo with your brake spanner, fit mole grips to the pipe nut and undo it that way, if they won't budge, cut off the pipe at the union and use a socket hammered over the nut.Of course you will have to replace the metal pipe.To avoid losing too much fluid out of the master cylinder, get a very short piece of pipe made up and hammer the end over, then screw the pipe into the master cylinder to avoid fluid coming out.

Replace the brake hose and the metal pipe, then take out your small piece of pipe and fit your new metal pipe into the master cylinder.

When bleeding the system, don't let the fluid level drop too far, that will avoid any problems with the ABS.

djheath wrote:Also, I've heard problems with cars when all the fluid leaks out of the ABS unit and causes problems when bleeding the system. Is there a way I can minimize the risk of this?

Thank you all that are knowledgeable!

Get a small section of a thick'ish plastic bag (square shaped), take off the cap, place over the resevoir and refit the cap. This creates a vacumm and should stop alot of it from running out. Well it did in my recent experience.

Thanks for the tips. I never thought to put a bit of capped pipe over the hard line whilst I replace it to minimise fluid loss!!
Now I have to work out how it all fits together with the clips etc!

Thanks again!