Do you need a brake or clutch hose?

Are the hoses on your vehicle more than 6 years old?

Are you having trouble sourcing that new hose? (Out of stock, too expensive)

Are you building a Hot Rod, Race Car, Custom Car, Motorbike or even a trailer and don't have any brake hoses?

Maltech can manufacture Rubber or Stainless Braided brake or clutch hoses Quickly, Easily & Affordably

Maltech for all your brake hose needs.

 

Rubber Brake Hoses

Using BrakeQuip 's revolutionary brake hose manufacturing system, and with a stock of over 260 different fittings, Maltech can manufacture a hydraulic Rubber brake or clutch hose to Original Equipment specifications or to your specific requirements. Our fitting range covers Banjo's, Center supports, Metric, Imperial, Male, and Female fittings and also Brackets. Carrying the extensive range of fittings that we do ultimately means that we can make any hydraulic brake or clutch hose that you require.

 
 

The Manufacturing process

 

Manufacturing of rubber brake hoses requires the use of an approved rubber brake hose which will consist of an inner tube (through which brake fluid can pass), bonded to two layers of heavy duty nylon sheathing, and protected by an outer rubber cover. The hose end fittings are manufactured by machining solid steel to the correct dimensions required for each fitting and then gold zinc plated.

Having selected the appropriate end fittings and correct hose length, the fittings are then hydraulically crimped to the hose and pressure tested to 20,000 Kpa (3000 psi). This ensures that there are no leaks within the brake hose assembly and each hose is stamped to identify Maltech as the manufacturer of this ADR7/00 approved brake hose.

 

What is a Brake Hose?

 

A vehicle's braking system usually consists of metal piping and rubber hoses leading from the master cylinder to each of the calipers. Rubber hoses are used in all braking systems where flexibility is needed around moving suspension and steering points. As the brake pedal is depressed, fluid within the system is forced into the calipers and pushes the pistons out. These pistons press against the brake pads which, in turn make contact with the rotors, and create the friction from which slows your car in a progressive and predictable manner.

The flexible nature of your vehicle's brake hoses enables the suspension to move throughout its range of travel. Unfortunately, however, the combined effects of years of flexing, high pressure and exposure to the harsh environment will eventually deteriorate your Vehicle's brake hoses.

 
Facts about Rubber Brake Hoses :
  1. The average good working life of a brake hose is six years.
  2. Brake hoses deteriorate from the inside as well as the outside.
  3. Moisture is absorbed into brake fluid systems through rubber brake hoses.
  4. Contaminants in brake fluid act abrasively on the inner wall of brake hoses.
  5. The brake hose reinforcing fabric deteriorates through expansion and moisture.
  6. High operating temperatures contribute to the deterioration of rubber brake hoses.
  7. The brake hose inner diameter swells with age therefore restricting flow.
  8. Generally all rubber brake hoses on a vehicle deteriorate at the same rate.
  9. So all hoses should be replaced if one is found to be faulty!
 
Should the inner tube of a brake hose rupture, considerable braking capability will be immediately lost. If the inner tube becomes separated from the nylon sheathing, it can collapse and prevent a brake caliper from releasing. The result is a dragging caliper, overheated brakes, and a potentially dangerous handling vehicle.

Although brake hoses can fail without warning, a keen eye and careful inspection will often detect signs of failure before it occurs.
 
Checking your Hoses Visual Inspection : The things to look for are:
  1. Cracks in the outer "skin" of the hose. (hoses may need to be bent for this test)
  2. Blisters or bubbles in the hose.
  3. Chafe marks from where it has been rubbing against something.
  4. Any wet marks where a hose is starting to leak.
  5. Any obvious bulging or expansion of the hose.
  6. Loose hose mounts or twisted hoses.
 
Feeling the hose : What to feel for:
(The best way to get the "feel" is to feel a new hose first)
  1. Hard and Stiff hoses (brittle)
  2. Expansion (This should be hardly noticeable)
  3. Soft and weak hoses.
 

The first sign of a distressed brake hose is leaking fluid. This indicates that either the tube nut between the brake hose and the brake line is loose or that the inner tube of the brake hose has ruptured. Another common warning sign is a swollen or spongy brake hose. This indicates that there is a slow leak in the hose's inner brake tube. This slow leak saturates the supporting nylon sheathing and swells the outer protective layer of the brake hose. The final warning sign of an impending hose failure is a bulging brake hose. This indicates that the leak is now serious and threatens to breach the outer layer of the brake hose.

Although such failures can occur at any time, it is most common in vehicles over 10 years old that have not yet had their hoses replaced.

 
 
Troubleshooting problems associated with brake hoses :
  1. Low or spongy pedal  This problem is usually associated with a hose that is old, soft and weak which allows the hose to expand under pressure.
  2. Pulling to one side Usually caused by one of the front hoses being blocked or restricted.
  3. Brake Drag Can be caused by a restricted hose(s).
  4. Intermittent Brake Problems This problem can be caused by a hose with an internal fracture creating a one way check valve effect.

Industry Terminology of hose fittings (Requires Adobe Acrobat)

 
 
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