When replacing flexible brake lines or brake calipers I prefer to minimize brake fluid loss. This can do two things: 1. Minimize spills and clean-up. 2. Make it easier and safer to bleed the air out of your brake system (especially on vehicles equipped with ABS).
Problem & Solution
Common among these chassis:
The trick is to have something ready to plug the metal brake line IMMEDIATELY after removing it from the flexible brake hose. I use wooden golf tees for this. Sharpen the end with a belt or power sander as shown below:
After brake hose removal shove the tip up into the hole in the metal line and twist the golf tee to get it to seat in place. Then continue on with your brake maintenance and / or installing your new brake hose. As a final move get the flex hose in place and pull out the tee and quickly tighten the fittings. With practice you can limit fluid spill to a teaspoon or less...
