LS1TECH - Camaro and Firebird Forum Discussion

Camaro and Firebird: How to Replace Brake Line

Stainless steel hoses are a great upgrade and look great.

By Mark Garrett - March 11, 2016

This article applies to the Chevrolet Camaro and Pontiac Firebird (1993-2002), as well as Corvette (1997-2004).

The brake hoses on your car transition between the steel lines and moving parts on the suspension. OEM hoses are rubber with woven fabric over the rubber that deteriorate with age. If they get too bad, they can leak or start expanding when the brakes are applied, which means braking suffers or goes away entirely. If you never want to replace the hoses again or are looking for increased performance, stainless steel braided lines are for you. They are built from a Teflon inner hose with stainless steel braid wrapped around it. The fittings are crimped on and generally coated to prevent corrosion. The stainless hoses also do not expand, as rubber can so brake feel is more solid. If it is time to replace your brake hoses, consider stainless steel.

Camaro and Firebird How to Replace Brake Line

Materials Needed

  • Assorted line wrenches
  • 3/8" ratchet and assorted sockets
  • Brake fluid
  • Catch pan
  • Hammer

Stainless steel braided hose kits are manufactured by many companies. Russell is probably the oldest, but they all offer quality parts.

camaro firebird ls1 stainless steel brake line upgrade remove replace how to
Figure 1. Bad OEM rubber brake hose.

Step 1 – Jack up car

  • Loosen the lug nuts on all four wheels.
  • Jack up car on rear differential.
  • Stick a jack stand on either axle.
  • Jack up the front end of the car and secure on stands.
  • Remove all four wheels.

(Related Article: How to Jack Up Your Car - LS1Tech.com)

Step 2 – Remove old hose

Place a catch pan under the spot you are working to catch the fluid that comes out. Keep it away from painted surfaces, as brake fluid strips paint off. Remove the bolt that holds the brake hose banjo fitting to the caliper. Discard and replace with new one.

camaro firebird ls1 stainless steel brake line upgrade remove replace how to
Figure 2. Banjo fitting example with copper washers.

The other end of the hose is connected to a hard line at a bracket. There is a clip that holds the hose to the bracket. Pull the clip off and then loosen the nut going into the hose with a line wrench. Remove the old hose.

  • camaro firebird ls1 stainless steel brake line upgrade remove replace how to
    Figure 3. Line wrench for fittings, a must have.
  • camaro firebird ls1 stainless steel brake line upgrade remove replace how to
    Figure 4. Brake hose bracket clip.

Pro Tip

Before you take any hoses off, be sure that the bleeder screw will come loose so you can complete the brake bleeding step.

Step 3 – Replace brake hose

The new stainless hoses should be similar in length to the old ones. Compare the new ones to the one just removed and choose the replacement. Re-attach the new hose to the bracket with the clip that was removed. Thread the fitting on the old steel line into the new hose carefully. Be sure to keep any dirt away from the tube opening. Tighten the fitting. Now assemble the banjo fitting as shown in Figure 2 on the caliper end of the hose. Tighten the bolt in the caliper, making sure it is flush and sealed well. Bleed the brake.

  • camaro firebird ls1 stainless steel brake line upgrade remove replace how to
    Figure 5. Stainless steel hose kit with front, rear, and rear center hose.
  • camaro firebird ls1 stainless steel brake line upgrade remove replace how to
    Figure 6. Stainless line install example.

If you are also replacing rear lines, continue to Step 4.

Pro Tip

If you are installing other lines, wait to bleed the brakes until all are complete. Refer to How to Replace Brake Fluid.

Step 4 – Replace rear center hose

Since the rear axle on your Camaro moves, there is a center brake hose that connects from the body to the rear end. Remove this hose like you did the front ones. There is a 'T' on the axle housing that the new hose either has, or as in Figure 5, goes into.

camaro firebird ls1 stainless steel brake line upgrade remove replace how to
Figure 7. Stainless center hose.

Install the new hose in the reverse order that the old one came off. If your car does not have rear disc brakes, you are done and can bleed the system.

Pro Tip

Use caution removing the steel brake line fittings, don't mangle them up.

Step 5 – Replace rear brake hoses

If you have rear disc brakes, there will be a hose to each caliper from the steel lone on the axle housing. Replace both the same way you replaced the front hoses.

With the brake hoses replaced, you will need to bleed the brake lines, as air was induced into the system. Working from the caliper furthest from the master cylinder (passenger-rear) and working towards it (driver-front), pressurize the brake pedal and open the bleeder on the caliper to extract old brake fluid and trapped air bubbles. This process needs to be repeated on each caliper until the fluid runs clean, and air-free.

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