I'm doing front pads on a 940. The hoses are quite cracked where they come into the calipers. I say they need to be replaced for safety but the owner insists they are fine.

Any arguments against replacing these cracked rubber hoses?

My inclination is that 'parts are cheap'. Body work is expensive and I like the brakes to work in times of need. IMHO it is false economy not to replace the brake lines. If you have the the brakes all apart the additional time and parts are minimal. The cost per mile has got to be close to zero.

Greg

My 945 is showing cracks in the lines.
How hard is this job? Any tips or tricks?
I wonder because it seems to me I need to remove the calipers and spin them to thread the hose on... ???

Bert

You are both correct. The customer is trying to save a few bucks as the lines are not leaking/weeping any fluid. You think the safety is being compromised by exposing the inner liner to the elements.

All you can do is write your concerns on the invoice.

Perhaps you and the customer could come to an agreement, you will replace the flex lines at cost and bill actual amount of time spent doing the replacement rather than book time.

As the customer is always right, it is your job to enlighten him on potential issues with the car, not start an argument. You really want to keep the customer coming back.
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My back feels better when I sit in a Volvo seat

My daughter served as a Subaru service writer for a year. They had the vehicle owner sign a waiver any time their techs cited a safety problem that did not get repaired.

How safe are you from a lawsuit?

If I were you, I would examine the brakes before you did your work, and if the owner wanted me to omit items needed for safety, I would ask him to get another mechanic.

Ask Judge Judy how many people lie in court!

What year is the car? Two years ago, my Volvo tech told me to get new hoses the next time I needed brake work as the hoses were starting to crack on my '96 855.

Probably ought to have your "client" sign a waiver releasing you from liability for working on the brakes. No question -- lines in that condition should be replaced. The protective layers are there for a reason, and once compromised they're no longer protecting what they were designed to protect.
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82 242 5.0L; '10 Cayman S; '15 Honda Fit

the hoses arent difficult to get off,,,soak them w penetrating oil & get take off loosen the hose from the caliper first,,Remember 1 thing the hoses can also collapse inward,& make the caliper stick ^& use up more gas,,,refuse to do the job.Change them,,

I guess the answer is in knowing how a brake line is constructed. The outer rubber you see is only protection, support, and insulation for the nylon pipe inside. It could possibly have surface checking from ozone and UV and perhaps be quite sound in its ability to shield the real brake hose.


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Art Benstein near Baltimore

"He's the best mechanic in town." - 1992 Annemarie Powell said of General Colin L. Powell, a Volvodad

Thanks, Art.

This is a driveway job. In a professional capacity I wouldn't have even asked, just done it. I've always learned that when the protective sheath is starting to show gaps and cracks that you replace the hose for safety because that protective sheath is compromised.

I'll share your opinion and change the hoses or not as per their desire.

-P

You're welcome, Dan,

Let me clarify my "opinion" is not about the particular brake hoses you are looking at. Of the two of us, only you can have an opinion on them, and that is the one that counts. No professional can afford to admit a compromise has been done anywhere safety is at risk.

All I can do is remind you, if you didn't already clearly understand, what the facts are about the construction of the brake hose. I have a feeling you already were well aware. Many are not.
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Art Benstein near Baltimore

Politicians and diapers have one thing in common. They should both be changed regularly, and for the same reason.