Brake Hose Question - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

dlanders · 06-03-2009, 11:30 PM

I had some flexible stainless steel brake hoses made at my local BrakeQuip dealer a few weeks ago. When I went to put them on over the weekend I noticed that I have a small leak where they bolt at the caliper. I just figured I needed some new washers so I picked up the only copper ones that I could find at the parts store. They didnt work so I picked up some brass ones at lowes that had a smaller hole. They dont leak as bad as the first ones but nonetheless they still leak. My next choice was gonna be some kind of nylon/plastic washer. The dude at Brakequip says the copper ones should work fine but I cant seem to get it to work. Has anyone had this problem or have an idea of something I could do?

James McClure · 06-04-2009, 08:07 AM

You may have put the hose ends onto the caliper upside down, they only go on one way. The side with a raised area where they mate to the caliper should be away from the mounting point and is where the attaching bolt head should be. I've made this mistake myself even though I worked for Chevy for 33 years. Hope this helps, jim

85Bowtie · 06-04-2009, 11:25 PM

I don't think copper and brakes should be in the same sentence. You never use copper when dealing with brakes, it's what destroys your fluid among other things.

dlanders · 06-05-2009, 01:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 85Bowtie

I don't think copper and brakes should be in the same sentence. You never use copper when dealing with brakes, it's what destroys your fluid among other things.

That is good to know. I had no idea. So will a nylon/plastic type washer work and seal properly? This is what the end of the hose that attaches to the caliper looks like. The guy that made them said they should work fine. Sorry the picture is fuzzy. I can take pics of the actual hose tomorrow if need be.

heavychevy79 · 06-05-2009, 04:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 85Bowtie

I don't think copper and brakes should be in the same sentence. You never use copper when dealing with brakes, it's what destroys your fluid among other things.

Copper washers are used all the time for those fittings.

I've never heard of nylon washers being used for that, and I wouldn't try it.
I think you have an interferance issue where it bolts/clamps to the caliper.
You may need to do some grinding.

James McClure · 06-05-2009, 06:03 AM

I was a mechanic for Chevy for over 30 years and copper is ALL they use for the caliper/line gasket and upper bolt seal. Don't use anything else!! Any plastic is going to blow out, aluminum will corrode, and forget any fibre material. Did you use 2 gaskets on the bolt? There should be 2, one on top(at the bolt head) and one below (between the hose and caliper) jim

Tx Firefighter · 06-05-2009, 06:20 AM

Check the mating surfaces on the hose fitting for burrs. You might need to take a file and surface it a bit to make sure it is flat for the washers to bear against.

Use only copper crush washers. There is not a car made with plastic banjo bolt washers used in the brakes and there is a reason why. You simply cannot risk a plastic or fibre washer failing in this application. Copper only.

**old Rusty C10** · 06-05-2009, 09:51 AM

every caliper ive ever seen has copper washers between the caliper and hose

Tony@AirRideTech · 06-05-2009, 09:59 AM

Copper........ no Nylon or poly, it wont hold up to the heat generated at the caliper. If you go to an autoparts store grap some extras, if one doesnt get it, remove it and put another one on. It is not uncommon for it to leak if you are trying to reuse an old washer.

powerdriver 1958 · 06-05-2009, 07:45 PM

Look for a bent / cracked bolt.............being as your are using after market stuff look for the way they fit.not binding on something and a grain of anything sand or dirt and you will have probs

Oh while your at it,Put me in the COPPER WASHERS ONLY crowd

Desert1957 · 06-06-2009, 07:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by James McClure

I was a mechanic for Chevy for over 30 years and copper is ALL they use for the caliper/line gasket and upper bolt seal. Don't use anything else!! Any plastic is going to blow out, aluminum will corrode, and forget any fibre material. Did you use 2 gaskets on the bolt? There should be 2, one on top(at the bolt head) and one below (between the hose and caliper) jim

"Ditto"......Me Too

Desert

dlanders · 06-06-2009, 07:57 PM

Thanks for all the help and info guys. I cleaned everything up and I replaced the banjo bolts and put on new bleeder screws and new copper washers and that fixed it right up. I also got my flat fixed and took 'er and the wife out for a little cruise last night. I really wanted to be at the Super Chevy show this weekend but I have finals for the next 2 weeks.

Trimman · 06-06-2009, 09:27 PM

Mableton I was born & raised in Powder Springs! Small world!

06-03-2009, 11:30 PM	#1
dlanders Registered User Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Mableton, Ga Posts: 106	Brake Hose Question I had some flexible stainless steel brake hoses made at my local BrakeQuip dealer a few weeks ago. When I went to put them on over the weekend I noticed that I have a small leak where they bolt at the caliper. I just figured I needed some new washers so I picked up the only copper ones that I could find at the parts store. They didnt work so I picked up some brass ones at lowes that had a smaller hole. They dont leak as bad as the first ones but nonetheless they still leak. My next choice was gonna be some kind of nylon/plastic washer. The dude at Brakequip says the copper ones should work fine but I cant seem to get it to work. Has anyone had this problem or have an idea of something I could do?

06-04-2009, 08:07 AM	#2
James McClure One shot, one kill. Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Saratoga Springs NY Posts: 859	Re: Brake Hose Question You may have put the hose ends onto the caliper upside down, they only go on one way. The side with a raised area where they mate to the caliper should be away from the mounting point and is where the attaching bolt head should be. I've made this mistake myself even though I worked for Chevy for 33 years. Hope this helps, jim __________________ 1984 K20 350M engine with 465,000 miles. Well, it's finally done!! Almost 2 years of work, but it was really worth the effort. Little stuff left to do is mount winch, wet sand & buff out and build belly pan\running boards. Body work takes lots and LOTS of beer!!!! God, Guts and Guns made America and God, Guts and Guns will preserve it! The worst thing you could do is get into my sights, but that don't matter, you'll never know it, cause you'll never hear the shotJim or Paladin whichever you choose.

06-04-2009, 11:25 PM	#3
85Bowtie Registered User Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: TN Posts: 410	Re: Brake Hose Question I don't think copper and brakes should be in the same sentence. You never use copper when dealing with brakes, it's what destroys your fluid among other things. __________________ '69 Dodge Charger R/T 440, 727, 3.55 Sure Grip '68 Plymouth Road Runner 383, 727, 3.23 Sure Grip '89 Dodge Diplomat ex cop car 408, 727, 3.55 Sure Grip '77 Dodge Monaco ex cop car 440, 727, 2.71 '79 Dodge 'Lil Red Express pickup 360, 727, 3.55 Sure Grip '12 Dodge Challenger SRT8 392, M6, 3.92 '85 Chevrolet C-10 SWB 2wd 305, TH350, 2.73

06-05-2009, 06:03 AM	#6
James McClure One shot, one kill. Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Saratoga Springs NY Posts: 859	Re: Brake Hose Question I was a mechanic for Chevy for over 30 years and copper is ALL they use for the caliper/line gasket and upper bolt seal. Don't use anything else!! Any plastic is going to blow out, aluminum will corrode, and forget any fibre material. Did you use 2 gaskets on the bolt? There should be 2, one on top(at the bolt head) and one below (between the hose and caliper) jim __________________ 1984 K20 350M engine with 465,000 miles. Well, it's finally done!! Almost 2 years of work, but it was really worth the effort. Little stuff left to do is mount winch, wet sand & buff out and build belly pan\running boards. Body work takes lots and LOTS of beer!!!! God, Guts and Guns made America and God, Guts and Guns will preserve it! The worst thing you could do is get into my sights, but that don't matter, you'll never know it, cause you'll never hear the shotJim or Paladin whichever you choose.

06-05-2009, 06:20 AM	#7
Tx Firefighter Watch out for your cornhole ! Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Azle, Texas Posts: 14,162	Re: Brake Hose Question Check the mating surfaces on the hose fitting for burrs. You might need to take a file and surface it a bit to make sure it is flat for the washers to bear against. Use only copper crush washers. There is not a car made with plastic banjo bolt washers used in the brakes and there is a reason why. You simply cannot risk a plastic or fibre washer failing in this application. Copper only. __________________ I'm on the Instagram- @Gearhead_Kevin

06-05-2009, 09:51 AM	#8
old Rusty C10 Robert Olson Transport Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: recent transplant to NC USA Posts: 20,313	Re: Brake Hose Question every caliper ive ever seen has copper washers between the caliper and hose __________________ Bob 1951 International running on a squarebody chassis "If a man's worth is judged by the people he associates himself with, then i am the richest man in the world knowing some of the fine people of this board" http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/a...t.php?f=25&a=9 (you can review the site rules here!) PM Me for your vehicle/parts hauling needs in the North East US or see my Facebook page Robert Olson Transport Live each day to the fullest.. you never know when fate is going to pull the rug out from under you... I hate cancer!!

06-05-2009, 09:59 AM	#9
Tony@AirRideTech Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Huntingburg IN Posts: 620	Re: Brake Hose Question Copper........ no Nylon or poly, it wont hold up to the heat generated at the caliper. If you go to an autoparts store grap some extras, if one doesnt get it, remove it and put another one on. It is not uncommon for it to leak if you are trying to reuse an old washer.

06-05-2009, 07:45 PM	#10
powerdriver 1958 Kid's Mechanic Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Kansas City Posts: 8,241	Re: Brake Hose Question Look for a bent / cracked bolt.............being as your are using after market stuff look for the way they fit.not binding on something and a grain of anything sand or dirt and you will have probs Oh while your at it,Put me in the COPPER WASHERS ONLY crowd Last edited by powerdriver 1958; 06-05-2009 at 07:50 PM.

06-06-2009, 07:57 PM	#12
dlanders Registered User Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Mableton, Ga Posts: 106	Re: Brake Hose Question Thanks for all the help and info guys. I cleaned everything up and I replaced the banjo bolts and put on new bleeder screws and new copper washers and that fixed it right up. I also got my flat fixed and took 'er and the wife out for a little cruise last night. I really wanted to be at the Super Chevy show this weekend but I have finals for the next 2 weeks.

06-06-2009, 09:27 PM	#13
Trimman Registered User Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Hixson TN. Posts: 74	Re: Brake Hose Question Mableton I was born & raised in Powder Springs! Small world! __________________ 82 C-10 Scottsdale LB owned since 89 350 crate vortec heads Crane 1.6 full rollers edelbrock 1406 edelbrock performer eps intake dynomax headers/flowmaster 70's BTO 700r4 level 3 custom 2 piece driveshaft 12 bolt gov loc w/3.08 Last edited by Trimman; 06-06-2009 at 09:28 PM.



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