I am currently in the process of changing my fathers brakes callipers (sticking pistons & sliders) who has Goodridge Stainless Steel Brake hoses fitted. I know it seems a daft question, but to minimise fluid loss, can you clamp these pipes (with mole grips etc.) as you can with normal rubber ones?

I don't want to try, then crush the pipe and wrecking it. I have only done one calliper (without clamping), I'm changing all 4.

Don't clamp them ! This will damage the inner pipe . I always use a tapered plastic golf tee to plug hole in hydraulic pipes . It doesn't completely seal the pipe/hose but it does minimise the fluid loss . You will have to bleed anyway.

Changing all 4 calipers is a good time to change the brake fluid . Use pressure type bleed kit ( Halfords about £18).Maybe the reason why all pistons are sticking is that fluid hasn't been changed for a long time and have corroded ?

Edited 6 June, 201016 yr by vwcabriolet1971

yup, its a no no!

Thanks for the advice. I chanced the pipe as quickly as I could, although I nearly forgot a copper washer on the first one.

The fluid was changed 2-3 years ago when we changed the suspension struts and brake hoses (old ones were 10-12 years old). We have always had trouble with the callipers for a number of years and acquired 4 old callipers. These have just been refurbished (brilliant job done by EBC ).

The only other question I've got is does the procedure for bleeding the brakes change from car to car? Should you start on the longest brake line (NSR) or the shortest one to the reservoir (OSF)? BTW it's a 96 Subaru Impreza Turbo. I know for the Fabia Haynes recommends, NSR, OSR, NSF, and lastly OSF.

P.S. As this thread is non-Skoda, should it be moved to "General Car Chat" or is it OK in here.

If you want a bleed order for a Scooby Pretzle, ask on a Scooby forum?

If you want a bleed order for a Scooby Pretzle, ask on a Scooby forum?

Thanks, I'll have a search and read on Scoobynet. (I'm not a member though). I just thought I'd ask on here, just in case people knew.

another way to stop the fluid reservoir from draining without clamping hoses is to get a metal bar of appropriate size and put it up against the brake pedal, slide the seat forward, therefore depressing the brake pedal.................... :yes:

another way to stop the fluid reservoir from draining without clamping hoses is to get a metal bar of appropriate size and put it up against the brake pedal, slide the seat forward, therefore depressing the brake pedal.................... :yes:

Would that work? I'm sure air would still get into the system.

I am definitely going to have to plug the rear hoses, as I've just found the spare callipers, have a wider carrier. The wider carrier means that when the pads are warn they can slide out of the brake between the carrier and the disc. I will have to send the callipers that are on the car off to be refurbished.

You know the saying "If it can go wrong, It will go wrong!!" This is the type of luck I am having!! :(

the easy way is to get an old brake fluid resiviour lid and block the breather hole in it so that when fitted it cant let any air into the resiviour and fluid cant run out.. tis how i do em , you may get a bit of fluid loss as it creats a vacuum in the resi but as long as you do one caliper at a time it will be ok

the easy way is to get an old brake fluid reservoir lid and block the breather hole in it so that when fitted it cant let any air into the reservoir and fluid cant run out.. this how i do em , you may get a bit of fluid loss as it creates a vacuum in the resi but as long as you do one calliper at a time it will be OK

That is a good idea, I was thinking of putting cling flim over the bottle and closing the lid. However Subaru has in the lid a rubber diaphragm thing that stops the fluid from sloshing around, so it would be hard to cover it.