Brakes had been noisy (squeaking) lately, so when removing snow tires and putting the bundts back on I spent some extra time looking at pad wear evenness, rotor condition, etc.

I noticed a "blister" on the flexible line going to the right front brake caliper. There was moisture (from brake fluid) around the bump. WOW - Scary stuff.

I ordered 4 new brake lines and replaced them this past Wednesday. Notice the date from the right front line - ORIGINAL LINE, nearly 25 years old and 400,000 miles!!!

We flushed the brake lines 2 years ago when I picked up the car - didn't notice a problem then but...... I should have looked for the date on the hose. Had I noticed they were 20+ years old.....

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83 300d - 390k

less than 2 years.

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1984 123.193 372,xxx miles, room for Seven.

1999 Dodge Durango Cummins 4BTAA 47RE 5k lb 4x4 getting 25+mpgs, room for Seven.

WOW! That hose is old enough to vote.

Out of sight out of mind. they kind of get forgot.

I don`t know how old mine are, might be 5 years. have to look back in my records.

they are just like oil cooler lines, got to change them every 20 to 25 years. you are lucky that hose didn`t start squirting.

Charlie ☺

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there were three HP ratings on the OM616...

1) Not much power
2) Even less power
3) Not nearly enough power!! 240D w/auto

Anyone that thinks a 240D is slow drives too fast.

80 240D Naturally Exasperated, 4-Spd 388k DD 150mph spedo 3:58 Diff

We are advised to NOT judge ALL Muslims by the actions of a few lunatics, but we are encouraged to judge ALL gun owners by the actions of a few lunatics. Funny how that works

My brake hoses are about 1 year old; I ordered the new ones about 1 month after I bought the car.
The reason:I was shocked back in the 70s to read in an automotive book that said it was recommend that the brake hoses be changed every 5 years. At that time I was driving a 1953 Chevy pickup truck that was at the time about 22 years old with what appeared to be the origional brake hoses. A few days after reading the book I ordered new hoses all around. Brake hoses don't cost much!!!

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84 300D, 82 Volvo 244Gl Diesel

I got you beat on that one, mine are 28 years old.

Heh - my '79 240 has original 29 yr old brake hoses and i've got zero intention of replacing em. Bein its a 240D means the brakes dont see alot of use.

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'80 300SD/ w116
'79 240D 4-spd
'71 750cc Guzzi

previously owned:

'83 240D 4-spd
'77 280SEL 4-spd
'74 280/8
'72 250/8
'65 220Sb 4-spd
'63 220Sb 4-spd
'63 190c 4-spd
'61 220Sb 4-spd
'60 190b 4-spd

I never change them unless they start leaking. The only ones I can remember changing were on my 74 240. I upgraded the fronts to 123 calipers and the position on the caliper was different. After a few months the new position cracked the brake lines and they started seeping.

My first expereince with brake hoses of significance was on the 37 chevy which I bought around 1971 which had sat in a field for years and had bullet holes in several locations. Those brake hoses were very rough looking and although I considered changing them I was just as thrifty back then as I am now and since they did not leak I ran them without issues until I sold it along.

Tom W

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

About a year ago ( 21,000 miles ) I put all new ATE calipars, Pads, fluid and hoses on my 1984 300sd, In May I will R&R the fluid.

Thanks for tipping everyone off , The brake lines are out of sight/ out of mind.

Guys, just because you don't see them leaking, doesn't mean they are working properly.

They fail from the inside out. The inner channel deteriorates and collapses. You will still be able to pump fluid to the brake under pressure, but the fluid won't return and the brake will hang on. If you have ever cut open a 20 year old brake hose, you will understand.

I won't go over 15 years on one- and I'm a cheap guy.

Rick

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80 300SD (129k mi) 82 240D stick (193k mi)77 240D auto - stick to be (153k mi) 85 380SL (145k mi) 89 BMW 535i 82 Diesel Rabbit Pickup (374k mi) 91 Jetta IDI Diesel (155k mi) 81 VW Rabbit Convertible Diesel 70 Triumph Spitfire Mk III (63kmi)66 Triumph TR4a IRS (90k mi)67 Ford F-100 (??)

Yes, I have heard that, but have not experienced it myself...yet.

Tom W

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

If you cut an MB brake line in half you will see just how durable they are. The odds of one of these actually bursting has got to be near zero. However, they do break down from the inside out meaning they tend to swell on the inside as they age. One thing you will start to notice is that your car will pull to one side while braking. Most people automatically assume its a sticking caliper causing this - which it can be - but not always. I replaced all 4 on my 240 recently and the car stopped pulling to one side while braking. You can buy 4 lines here for around $75 so why not replace them if they are over 20 years old?

Scott

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Scott
1982 Mercedes 240D, 4 speed, 275,000
1988 Porsche 944 Turbo S (70,000)
1987 Porsche 911 Coupe 109,000 (sold)
1998 Mercedes E300 TurboDiesel 147,000 (sold)
1985 Mercedes 300D 227,000 (totaled by inattentive driver with no insurance!)
1997 Mercedes E300 Diesel 236,000 (sold)
1995 Ducati 900SS (sold)
1987 VW Jetta GLI 157,000 (sold)
1986 Camaro 125,000 (sold - P.O.S.)
1977 Corvette L82 125,000 (sold)
1965 Pontiac GTO 15,000 restored (sold)

I replaced all of mine about 2.5 years ago.

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-diesel is not just a fuel, its a way of life-
'15 GLK250 Bluetec 118k - mine - (OC-123,800)
'17 Metris(VITO!) - 37k - wifes (OC-41k)
'09 Sprinter 3500 Winnebago View - 62k (OC - 67k)
'13 ML350 Bluetec - 95k - dad's (OC-98k)
'01 SL500 - 103k(km) - dad's (OC-110,000km)
'16 E400 4matic Sedan - 148k - Brothers (OC-155k)

Replaced all about 2 years ago on both MB's.

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Houston, Texas
1984 300CD 235K miles, Elvira, one owner
1987 300TD 180K miles
1974 TR6 78K miles Sarah Jane, one owner
OBK #27

Maybe not. I still have the Truck (I bought it when I was 17 years old $250) and have not changed the brake lines since I think it was 1974. 5 years ago I was out of work and decided to deal with the rust problems under the windows and yanked out all of the glass. I got a job before I did much work on it and it has sat in the drive way since that time with a tarp over it and except for running the engine ounce in a while with no attention. Other more important projects keep getting ahead me working on it.
Another hold up has been that I have zero body and fender type experience and have never took a class in that like I wanted to.
Added later: I hope the 1974 brake hose is made of superior material than than was available in 1953.

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84 300D, 82 Volvo 244Gl Diesel

Mine are about a year old. They are Stainless Steel braided hoses. Know what? The response is way better than the 7 yr hose.

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01 Ford Excursion Powerstroke
99 E300 Turbodiesel
91 Vette with 383 motor
05 Polaris Sportsman 800 EFI
06 Polaris Sportsman 500 EFI
03 SeaDoo GTX SC Red
03 SeaDoo GTX SC Yellow
04 Tailgator 21 ft Toy Hauler
11 Harley Davidson 883 SuperLow