Safety glasses
Nitrile Gloves
Penetrating Oil
Brake Line
Brake Hose
Brake Fluid
Drain Pan
Shop Towel
Line Plug
These instructions detail working on a 2008 Toyota Tundra, but the process may vary from one vehicle to the next, so be sure to determine the specifics for your vehicle before getting started. If you’re not comfortable replacing brake lines and hoses yourself, we’d also be happy to recommend a professional technician in your area. You can also lower the cost of replacing brake lines or hoses with the right brake rental tools in our Loaner Tool Program.
The brake hoses on a vehicle are flexible and made of reinforced rubber to connect the brake line to the brake caliper or wheel cylinder depending on the application. Built to withstand the suspension’s vertical motion and horizontal movement of the steering system, brake hoses help carry brake fluid and are designed to perform under the pressure of the brake system. Brake hoses are essential for safe, responsive stopping and can crack or fail over time from exposure to the elements, heat, and general use. Brake hoses may also swell internally, limiting the flow of brake fluid into and out of the caliper. A worn or damaged brake hose may even burst if there is excess pressure or another problem in the braking system, which can result in an immediate loss of braking ability. Replacing your brake hoses is not based on a regular interval, but if you notice signs of brake component failure, be sure to inspect the entire brake system all braking components and replace the brake hoses if necessary.
Step 1: Remove the Wheel and Place a Drain Pan
Start by jacking up your vehicle and removing the wheel. This will give you much easier access to remove your brake hose. Have a drain pan in place under the wheel well.
Step 2: Loosen the Nut Holding the Brake Hose
Use your line wrench to loosen the flare nut holding the hose to the junction box or brake line.
Step 3: Use Pliers to Remove the Retaining Clip
Use a pair of pliers to remove the retaining clip by grasping it firmly and pulling in the appropriate direction.
Step 4: Plug the Junction Box Hole
Plug the hole at the junction box or the end of the brake line to keep it from leaking brake fluid.
Step 5: Wipe Off Any Leaked Brake Fluid
Wipe away any brake fluid that may have leaked from the brake hose.
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Do It Right: Brake fluid is very corrosive, so be sure to wipe it off any painted surface immediately. |
Step 6: Remove the Other End of the Brake Hose
Then, remove the other end of the brake hose from the brake caliper, and let the fluid from the hose run into the drain pan.
Step 7: Attach the New Hose at the Caliper
Once the old hose is removed, attach the new hose at the caliper first.
Step 8: Attach the New Hose at the Junction Box
Now, remove the plug at the junction box or at the end of the brake line and attach the brake hose there. Tighten the brake hose fitting with your flare nut wrench. Then, clip it into place with the retaining clip, if applicable. Repeat these steps for each brake hose that needs to be replaced.
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Do It Right: Be sure to tighten fittings to manufacturer’s specifications to avoid leaks. You’ll also need to top off your master cylinder and bleed your brake system to remove air from the lines. |
Varying from several inches to several feet, the brake lines in your vehicle transport pressurized brake fluid from the master cylinder to the brake hoses, and finally to the brake calipers or wheel cylinders, depending on configuration. Brake lines maintain brake system pressure, and typically have flared ends with flare nuts that connect them to various parts of the brake system. They may also be bent specifically for your vehicle to route them around other parts of the vehicle. Depending on your car’s configuration, you may have multiple pieces of brake line or one long singular brake line to remove; consult your service manual to determine what will be required to complete your repair.
If brake lines aren’t available to specifically fit your vehicle, it may be necessary to bend, cut, and flare your own brake lines, which you can learn more about in our How-To Hub. Both steel and copper brake lines are available, although copper-nickel brake lines are designed to be bent by hand and do not require a brake bending tool due to their malleability.
Step 1: Prepare Your Vehicle
Before removing the brake line, make sure your vehicle is on stands with the hood open. Locate the master cylinder and remove the wheel. Put a drain pan in place under the brake line or component you will be working on.
Step 2: Loosen the Brake Line from the Brake Component
Use your line wrench to loosen the nut on the brake line at the appropriate brake component or junction, and use pliers, a ratchet and socket, or any other appropriate tools to remove the retaining clips, bolts, screws, or other mounting hardware.
Step 3: Remove the Brake Line and Plug the Hole
Remove the brake line from the brake component or junction and plug the hole to keep it from leaking fluid.
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Do It Right: Brake fluid is highly corrosive, so make sure you don’t get any on your skin or paint. If you do, rinse it off immediately. We used a bolt to prevent leaking. |
Step 4: Loosen the Other End of the Brake Line
Now, loosen the other end of the line with a flare nut wrench. The fluid in the line will start to drain.
Step 5: Remove the Brake Line
After it’s had time to drain, remove the line from the body or frame and carefully pull it from the vehicle without bending it.
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Do It Right: Use a rag or shop towel at the lower end of the brake line to soak up any brake fluid as you remove it. If you’re going to be bending a new line to match the old one, you’ll need the bends in the old line to remain intact so you can use it as a guide to shape your new line. |
Once you’ve removed the old brake line(s) from your vehicle, it’s time to install your replacement brake line. If your brake lines are too long and need to be fitted to your vehicle, ensure you are performing the right steps with resources and information from O’Reilly. Our article on how to cut, flare, and bend brake lines can help you replace your brake lines with confidence.
Step 6: Attach the Brake Line at One End
Carefully work the new line back up to the point where it was attached. Reinstall any clips, fasteners, or retainers to the frame and thread the flare nut into the downstream component. Tighten it with a flare nut wrench to manufacturer’s specifications.
Step 7: Attach the Brake Line to the Upstream Component
Remove your plug at the upstream component and finger-tighten the flare nut, then tighten it with a flare wrench to manufacturer’s specification.
Making sure your vehicle is braking as it should can help keep yourself, passengers, and other drivers safe on the road. Maintain a healthy braking system with parts and tools to perform a complete brake repair, and visit our How-To Hub for brake-related articles and videos for extra information including how brakes work, which brake pads are best for your vehicle, how to bleed brakes, and much more.