Bleed brakes before removing the hoses?

[Phx994Runner]

(sorry for the duplicate post - I added this in an earlier thread and I think it got buried)

Anyway, I need to replace the three brake hoses as they're visibly cracking. My question is - what is the process I should follow before I remove the hoses?

Do I need to follow the start of the bleeding procedure by pumping the pedal 40 times with the ignition off to de-pressurize the lines? I don't want fluid spurting out once I loosen the first hose.

Should I then just replace all three and THEN bleed everything, or do the rear first then bleed, or ...?

Lastly, does anyone happen to know what inside diameter (ID) plastic hose I need to fit the bleeder properly?

Haven't done this before, any advice/pointers welcomed - thanks!

 

[LittleCaesar]

Replace all three before bleeding.

When I replaced my rear line, I used a 3 or 5/16 vacuum cap at the end of the line to keep the fluid from making a mess, then I bled the system using my Motive bleeder but as long as you have your son to pump the brake, then you should be fine. Start with the rear right. Just keep an eye on the master cylinder since you will replacing so much fluid even before bleeding them (don't let it go dry).

I just spent $6 or $7 on the rather cheesy one man bleeder kit with the magnet and it had the hose already but I think it is 1/4" in diameter, possibly 5/16".

Good luck.

 

[Phx994Runner]

Ok, thanks for the info.

So unless someone suggests otherwise, I will NOT depressurize the brake line by pumping it with the ignition off BEFORE removing the hoses...

We'll see how it goes - fingers crossed.

 

[LittleCaesar]

That is right.

There are plenty of tutorials on the Web on how to bleed the brakes. Some are way off base, but overall it can give you a good baseline to work from. Even the FSM tells how to do it.