11 replies to this topic

[eric67]

I've always been concerned that hose clamps might damage a brake hose and have never used them but they now appear to be widely available so would be interested to know if anyone has experience using them; good or bad.

Thanks, Mark

[RedRuby]

I have always used the type as shown in the following item number on e-bay 323366390048. Never had a problem using them. I suppose if the internal hose condition was poor it could cause a problem but if that was the case I would rather find out so I could change them 

[DeadSquare]

Two round bars that clamp together and squash a brake hose are a BMC tool with a part number, so must be approved for the job.

 

However, all BMC workshop jobs were timed and costed to protect customers from being overcharged, which means that a hose would only be clamped while the job was being done swiftly, by a BMC distributor's trained mechanic, not clamped by an amateur spinning the job out over several week-ends.

[Cooperman]

I have made my own clamps. I saw a piece of broom handle and cut it into two semi-circular halves. Then I increase the radius of each half by filing and clamp the hose using mole grips with the two pieces of wood sandwiched in between. Been doing this for well over 50 years with no problems. 

However, I don't do this with Aeroquip-type metal covered hoses.

[Chris1275gt]

I've used them with no detrimental effect but leave them on for the shortest time possible, never days on end.

[MikeRotherham]

I've also used the same type as RedRuby although they were Laser branded.

 

They worked well.

 

I also agree about it being better to find out then that the centre of the hose is collapsing and replacing then as opposed to it being at the side of a road in the middle of nowhere

 

Something else I've used when the situation was appropriate were blanking plugs when disconnecting brake lines.

 

Male and female available on this page:

 

https://automec.co.u...85111c673&_ss=r

 

Edited by MikeRotherham, 27 January 2020 - 11:12 AM.

[greenwheels]

You don't need to clamp the hose tightly, a light touch is more than enough otherwise you will damage the hose internally. There is no pressure in the system and the internal diameter is very small and so what if you lose a teaspoon-full of fluid, there's half a cupfull in the master cylinder reservoir. Also if you put a thin sheet of plastic wrapping over the top of the master cylinder and screw the top back on, you can seal the system so it hardly drips at all from an open end. Another idea is to shove a golf tee in the open end.

[eric67]

Many thanks for your comments- far more positive than I was expecting.

I may need to change the brake pipe that joins my twin leading shoe wheel cylinders. The hoses were new last year and the clamp shouldn't be on for more than half an hour so I'm hoping this method will save me time and precious silicone fluid.

Mark.

[Spider]

I have four sets and have been routinely using them for around 35 years. Even on less than nice looking hoses, never had an issue.

[Ethel]

Just chock the pedal down an inch so the reservoir is isolated. If you aren't going to immediately screw the new bit on the hose make up a cap from a union with a bit of pipe crimped over.

[Spider]

Just one caveat I will mention (and forgot to include in my previous) don't ever use them on the Stainless Braided type hoses. They will damage these.

[AP2020]

... and always test your brakes before going out on the road, also check you have your pipe clamps where they should be and not left on the pipes.