Brake fluid leak.....AGAIN!!!!

tboneheller · #1 (**permalink**) 10-02-2010, 12:40 PM

ERA 505 needs ANOTHER set of rubber hoses from the reservoir to the master cylinders. The original hoses lasted 2 years. The second set of hoses (a clear food service-type hose with braids in it) lasted 10 years until it got brittle & gunked-up the entire brake system. The third set, Tilton hoses, are weeping worse than the others after only 6 months. What gives? I need some 5/16 i.d. hose that can stand up to DOT3 fluid. My large body does not fit well in the footbox repairing these. HELP!!!

Tommy · #2 (**permalink**) 10-02-2010, 01:14 PM

See if something here will do for your car:
http://www.pegasusautoracing.com/gro...oupID=PTFEHOSE

Xavier · #3 (**permalink**) 10-02-2010, 01:18 PM

Thats puzzling about the Tilton hoses, I mean that's what it was meant for??? As far as the hoses that lasted for 10 years, the ones that are not rated for brake fluid but seemed to work, you can order those from McMaster Carr. I would call Pegasus Auto Racing and see what they recommend.

http://www.pegasusautoracing.com/contact.asp

FIA-ERA · #4 (**permalink**) 10-02-2010, 01:28 PM

Hey Tbone! I've experienced the same with the Tilton lines and they just didn't hold up! I ended up converting everything over to AN fittings and Aeroquip lines. I actually used some lines from a Nascar team that are coated with Hypalon for that black look. The hard thing for you will be the master cylinders. If you have the Tilton type with those hose fittings, you might have to get creative. Even if you ran "hard lines" to the reservoirs with just a small hose connecting that would be better. The AN lines are the only way to go in my book! Hope your doing well, still grinding those stumps?? Take care buddy! Matt

Pete Munroe · #5 (**permalink**) 10-02-2010, 07:55 PM

Guys, just went through this on my 289 FIA

Had to rebuild the front master, I figured I might as well change out the low pressure hoses. Annoyed at the weeping low-pressure brake lines between the resevoir and the masters.

After going online for hours trying to research an answer, I called Bob at ERA and he sent out 3 feet of the current hose in use.

"Thermold VALUFLEX/GS 5/16" I.D. (7.9mm) 300 PSI W.P. Made in the USA"

Doubt the 300 PSI means much in this application, except to the extent it may be an indicator of being more impervious to fluid bleed through. With no pressure, it should be pretty good. Better? Time will tell.

If this has been on the current crop of ERA'S, hows it working for y'all? Have no idea when ERA started to use it. My car, #2027 dates to a 1998 build and had what ever the old stuff was.

Wanted to get about 4 feet...sent out 3 feet...EXACTLY enough for the early 289 FIA's...not one extra inch...oops. Cut one hose an inch too short ( had to slice up the old lines to get them off). So I used some automatic transmission rubber hose I had...will be interesting to see how it works VS. the Thermold.

This hose is by HAYDEN, #105, says it is for "oil coolers, transmission coolers".

Will it work better? Well, it sure didn't cost $10.00 a foot, ( that Thermold was pricey...) so I almost don't care. Dredge up this topic in 6 months and I will take a look.

thanks

patrickt · #6 (**permalink**) 10-02-2010, 08:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pete Munroe

Well, it sure didn't cost $10.00 a foot, ( that Thermold was pricey...) so I almost don't care. Dredge up this topic in 6 months and I will take a look.

The Thermoid Valuflex is what I have, part #00114605400. Five years and still seems fine. It shouldn't cost ten bucks a foot though. It's quoted at less than a dollar a foot in the Thermoid price sheet and specs (page 6) http://www.hbdthermoid.com/images/in..._O_S_19761.pdf

tboneheller · #7 (**permalink**) 10-03-2010, 10:06 AM

Thanks for the info, guys. At this point the cost of the hose doesn't matter as much as me having to get my body crammed into that footbox, again.

patrickt · #8 (**permalink**) 10-03-2010, 10:40 AM

FWIW I did have an issue a couple of years ago with the "pinch" type clamps on the brake hoses. They were allowing a small dribble leak. I replaced them with the old fashioned screw-type hose clamps and that fixed it.

tboneheller · #9 (**permalink**) 10-03-2010, 05:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by patrickt

FWIW I did have an issue a couple of years ago with the "pinch" type clamps on the brake hoses. They were allowing a small dribble leak. I replaced them with the old fashioned screw-type hose clamps and that fixed it.

It is not the clamp, it is the hose. At first I thought that the hoses were overly saturated with Armor All. These babies are dripping.

vector1 · #10 (**permalink**) 10-03-2010, 05:22 PM

how about the flex hose used to go from the calipers to the frame, that usually lasts a while.

patrickt · #11 (**permalink**) 10-03-2010, 05:42 PM

You know, what's funny about the Valuflex is that it says it only has "Limited Oil Resistance." Isn't brake fluid basically oil?

Pete Munroe · #12 (**permalink**) 10-03-2010, 06:25 PM

Patrick,

From what I have read brake fluid isn't oil (petroleum) based but an alcohol
base...which would explain it's affinity to take up water...hygroscopic?...

(think, "scotch and water"...now, at least that mix won't remove your paint!)

OK, a little help out there from the better informed on this topic?

Pete

patrickt · #13 (**permalink**) 10-03-2010, 06:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pete Munroe

Patrick,

From what I have read brake fluid isn't oil (petroleum) based but an alcohol
base...which would explain it's affinity to take up water...hygroscopic?...

Yeah, I think you're right. One page said the typical DOT 3 or 4 is more like antifreeze, with an ethylene glycol base. I don't know why that would eat up hoses though.

tboneheller · #14 (**permalink**) 10-04-2010, 02:51 PM

Just ordered 7 feet of this: http://www.pegasusautoracing.com/pro...p?Product=3575 Hope it holds up. Thanks for all that responded.

tboneheller · #15 (**permalink**) 10-07-2010, 06:56 AM

New hoses showed up yesterday. They are red. If you have a local Gates dealer, you might be able to pick some up. The following is what is printed on it: "GATES ADAPTA FLEX multi-purpose 5/16 inch (8.0mm) 200PSI (1.38MPa) WP MADE IN USA CS102409 X1"