About every six months, inspect the rubber hoses that connect the steel brake lines with the front and rear brake assemblies for cracks, chafing, leaks, blisters, and other damage. Use a light and mirror for a thorough check. If any hose exhibits these conditions, replace it with a new one. To replace a flexible hose, disconnect the brake line from the hose fitting using a flare nut wrench, being careful not to bend the frame bracket or brake line. If the fitting is tight, hold the fitting block with a wrench to prevent bending. Detach the hose from the bracket and body. Remove the banjo bolt from the caliper and discard the sealing washers. Connect the hose to the caliper using new sealing washers and tighten the banjo bolt. Connect the other end of the line to the chassis and install the bolt, leaving it slightly loose. Connect the brake line to the fitting block by hand, then tighten securely using a flare nut wrench. Tighten the bracket bolt securely. Ensure there are no kinks in the hose and that it doesn't contact any part of the suspension. For metal brake lines, use the correct parts and avoid copper tubing. Prefabricated brake lines with flared tube ends and installed fittings are available, or you can cut and flare the new tubing to match the line being replaced. Bend the line to the proper shape if necessary, ensuring it is securely supported in the brackets and has clearance from moving or hot components. After installation, check the master cylinder fluid level, add fluid if necessary, bleed the brake system, and test the brakes before driving.
