I was flushing the brake lines this weekend, and I dutifully purchased hose clamping pliers from IPD after reading the FAQ's. When I attempted to clamp the line, the line did not collapse hardly at all, even after I opened the bleeder nut and maximum pressure was exerted with the pliers onto the rubber brake line. What is up with that? I was suprised after so much talk in the FAQ on clamping so no backwash gets into the ABS system. Are these clamping pliers just wimpy?

I'll probably start a small firestorm here, but IMO there is no reason to clamp the line when flushing or bleeding.

#1 - There is no such recommendation in the Volvo Greenbook Brake manual (TP30838/2 - includes ABS) that I can find.

#2 - I cringe at the thought of applying a crushing force to the inner plastic pressure line, something it's not at all designed for.

#3 - If, per manual instructions, a bleeder is opened before the piston is depressed (to expell old fluid for flushing), the natural flow will be out of the bleed hose, rather than back-flowing several feet upstream to the ABS modulator
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Bruce Young
'93 940-NA (current) — 240s (one V8) — 140s — 122s — since '63.

me too...but i use a presure bleeder so no danger of back flushing...if doing lower brake work i would advise presure flushing to get rid of the debry first..