rougeben83
09-28-2008, 06:57 PM
Changing the brake hoses on a car are one of the basic modifications people do to get better pedal modulation and feel for their brakes. The BE/BH differs from the other Subaru brake routing in that the multi-link rear requires 4 hoses instead of 2 (later subarus that share this suspension setup have this as well).
I'm using Goodridge SS hoses, purchased from TireRack.
Here's a breakdown on the steps involved. Because flare nuts are notorious for seizing and being easily mangled by tools (even the touted line/flare nut wrenches), it is a good idea to soak all the nuts overnight with PB blaster or equivalent (WD40 is NOT one of them).
Tools you'll need:
12mm wrench
12mm socket
14mm socket (optional, for new banjo bolts w/ the kit)
10mm flare wrench
17mm wrench or adjustable wrench
2 vice grips
flat screw driver
needle nose pliers
Brake cleaner
PB blaster
Pan to catch your drippings
REARS:
First, tackle the rear brakes; they take more time and if one of these are hard to get off, you'll at least know NOT to proceed with the rest of the lines...it would be a good idea to put a pan underneath to catch all your brake fluid and cleaner
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2008/09/P1060827-1.jpg
There are 3 flare nuts you have to loosen. You only need to loosen 2 to get it out of the car (#1 and #3). It is easier to get #2 once youve snaked the hose and hardline out.
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2008/09/P1060828-1.jpg
If you bought cheap line wrenches (or even if you didn't), I found that the wrench would open up with enough torque and you'll only mangle the nut, use the vice grip to lock it in place. Just loosen (do not disconnect) the line w/ the 10mm wrench.
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2008/09/P1060829-1.jpg
Take out the retaining clip; this holds the hose in place.
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2008/09/P1060832-1.jpg
Loosen the flarenut closest to the caliper (#3), and take out the retaining clip.
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2008/09/P1060830-1.jpg
Loosen the other end (#1).
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2008/09/P1060833-1.jpg
Take out the retaining clip for the middle nut (#2) and snake the whole line out from that bracket
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2008/09/P1060835-1.jpg
Now use the 17mm wrench or adjustable with the 10mm line/vice grip to loosen #2...MUCH easier than trying to do this on the car. Replace with the 2nd SS hose and tighten.
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2008/09/P1060836-1.jpg
Loosen the caliper hose with the 12mm socket, install the first SS hose (use new copper washers included with the lines, remember to pop out the one washer stuck to the caliper). You can either reuse your old banjo bolt or use the new Goodridge one; no difference other than the Goodridge uses a 14mm instead of the stock 12mm. Snake the line assembly you took out back into the car. Then connect the 2nd line to #1. Remember to put your retaining clips back so you can torque down the flare nuts.
Bleed the rear brake just to get fluid into the lines and to check for leaks. You'll do your final bleed once all 4 corners are done.
FRONTS:
The fronts are simpler, just one hose, one flare nut to take care of.
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2008/09/P1060839-1.jpg
Same 10mm line wrench/vice grip combo. I found the retaining clip doesn't hold the hose end down as well as in the rear, so I took it out, and used a 17mm wrench or adjustable wrench to turn the hose to break the connection.
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2008/09/P1060840-1.jpg
Unbolt the hose bracket (12mm), and unbolt the banjo bolt (12mm), replace the washers.
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2008/09/P1060842-1.jpg
Install new line, tighten everything down, and bleed to get fluid into the lines.
Finally, check to see if your new SS hose isn't rubbing against anything by turning the wheels and compressing the suspension with a jack.
Once all 4 corners are done, bleed the lines as you would normally do.
I'm using Goodridge SS hoses, purchased from TireRack.
Here's a breakdown on the steps involved. Because flare nuts are notorious for seizing and being easily mangled by tools (even the touted line/flare nut wrenches), it is a good idea to soak all the nuts overnight with PB blaster or equivalent (WD40 is NOT one of them).
Tools you'll need:
12mm wrench
12mm socket
14mm socket (optional, for new banjo bolts w/ the kit)
10mm flare wrench
17mm wrench or adjustable wrench
2 vice grips
flat screw driver
needle nose pliers
Brake cleaner
PB blaster
Pan to catch your drippings
REARS:
First, tackle the rear brakes; they take more time and if one of these are hard to get off, you'll at least know NOT to proceed with the rest of the lines...it would be a good idea to put a pan underneath to catch all your brake fluid and cleaner
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2008/09/P1060827-1.jpg
There are 3 flare nuts you have to loosen. You only need to loosen 2 to get it out of the car (#1 and #3). It is easier to get #2 once youve snaked the hose and hardline out.
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2008/09/P1060828-1.jpg
If you bought cheap line wrenches (or even if you didn't), I found that the wrench would open up with enough torque and you'll only mangle the nut, use the vice grip to lock it in place. Just loosen (do not disconnect) the line w/ the 10mm wrench.
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2008/09/P1060829-1.jpg
Take out the retaining clip; this holds the hose in place.
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2008/09/P1060832-1.jpg
Loosen the flarenut closest to the caliper (#3), and take out the retaining clip.
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2008/09/P1060830-1.jpg
Loosen the other end (#1).
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2008/09/P1060833-1.jpg
Take out the retaining clip for the middle nut (#2) and snake the whole line out from that bracket
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2008/09/P1060835-1.jpg
Now use the 17mm wrench or adjustable with the 10mm line/vice grip to loosen #2...MUCH easier than trying to do this on the car. Replace with the 2nd SS hose and tighten.
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2008/09/P1060836-1.jpg
Loosen the caliper hose with the 12mm socket, install the first SS hose (use new copper washers included with the lines, remember to pop out the one washer stuck to the caliper). You can either reuse your old banjo bolt or use the new Goodridge one; no difference other than the Goodridge uses a 14mm instead of the stock 12mm. Snake the line assembly you took out back into the car. Then connect the 2nd line to #1. Remember to put your retaining clips back so you can torque down the flare nuts.
Bleed the rear brake just to get fluid into the lines and to check for leaks. You'll do your final bleed once all 4 corners are done.
FRONTS:
The fronts are simpler, just one hose, one flare nut to take care of.
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2008/09/P1060839-1.jpg
Same 10mm line wrench/vice grip combo. I found the retaining clip doesn't hold the hose end down as well as in the rear, so I took it out, and used a 17mm wrench or adjustable wrench to turn the hose to break the connection.
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2008/09/P1060840-1.jpg
Unbolt the hose bracket (12mm), and unbolt the banjo bolt (12mm), replace the washers.
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2008/09/P1060842-1.jpg
Install new line, tighten everything down, and bleed to get fluid into the lines.
Finally, check to see if your new SS hose isn't rubbing against anything by turning the wheels and compressing the suspension with a jack.
Once all 4 corners are done, bleed the lines as you would normally do.