RDRNYC

Has anyone replaced brake lines? Looking for a procedure...

CJ Miller

Rubber brake hoses or hard lines?

Rubber: lots of penetrating oil, and use line wrenches (they are box end wrenches with a slot cut for the hard brake line). You loosen the metal fitting on the end of the hard line.

Then unscrew the flex line from the caliper. When reinstalling, connect the line to the caliper first, then to the hard line.

If you need to replace a short section of hard line, get the pre made lines at your local parts store. Couple bucks, and you can bend them to match the existing lines. Make sure you buy a compatible line.

Bleed the system when finished.

RDRNYC

Rubber lines. I've done this on a E30 BMW a long time ago. I'm just wondering what suprises I'm in for on my Avant. Thanks for the info. I noticed you have a '97 A6q Avant too. You wouldn't happen to know the brake fluid capacity, would you? I'm not finding it in my Bentley manual.

Thanks!

Fair Cape-Cape Town

Page 47-18 in the Bentley tells you to run 500ml on each wheel. Thus you will need two litres.

CJ Miller

I don't have the owner's manual handy; likely listed in there. Here's the factory procedure; calls for bleeding 1 pint per corner for a flush.
The brake pressure regulator mentioned is on the left rear before the wheel.

Bleeding sequence:

1 - Right rear brake caliper

2 - Left rear brake caliper

3 - Right front brake caliper

4 - Left front brake caliper

Note:

Before bleeding the brake system, wedge a drill bit (minimum diameter = 6 mm or 15/64 in.) between roller and end of spring on the brake pressure regulator.

Changing brake fluid

Connect brake system to US 1116 and, according to specifications in following table, let brake fluid flow out. Used brake fluid will be forced out of system by pumping in new fluid.

Sequence/Quantity of brake
fluid to flow out

Right rear
500 cm3 (approx. 1 pt.)

Left rear
500 cm3

Right front
500 cm3

Left front
500 cm3

beep-beep

<center><img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/14894/dsc00264.jpg"></center><p>otehrwise hose will bend nest to the metal fitting and eventually break. I had it twise. Both times hoses were installed by mechanics. Now I work on my brakes only myself.

RDRNYC

Thanks! Wish me luck.

RDRNYC

Thanks! I've got to go buy another liter of fluid!