Brake fluid pipes and hoses - removal and refitting

Caution: Refer to the precautions in Section 1.

Removal
1 To remove a flexible hose, always free it from any mounting bracket(s) first by prising out the U-shaped retaining clip, and then using two close-fitting spanners to disconnect the hose-to-rigid pipe union (see illustration).

26.1 Flexible hose-to-rigid pipe union. U-shaped retaining clip arrowed
26.1 Flexible hose-to-rigid pipe union. U-shaped retaining clip arrowed

2 Once disconnected from the rigid pipe, the flexible hose may be unscrewed from the caliper or wheel cylinder union, as applicable.

Refitting
3 When reconnecting pipe or hose fittings, note that the seal is made at the swaged end of the pipe, so do not continue to tighten a union if it is tight, yet still stands proud of the surface into which it is screwed.

4 A flexible hose must never be installed twisted, but a slight “set” is permissible to give it clearance from adjacent components.

This can be achieved by turning the hose slightly before fitting the U-shaped retaining clip to the mounting bracket.

5 Rigid pipelines can be made to pattern by motor factors supplying brake components.

    See also:

    Spark plug renewal (Every 12 000 miles or 12 months)
    The procedure is as described for RS Turbo models in Section 15. ...

    Power-operated folding roof - fluid level checking and bleeding
    General 1 As from 1987, a power-operated folding roof is available as an option on Cabriolet models. 2 The roof is operated hydraulically from an electric pump located in the left-hand side of t ...

    Braking system
    The braking system is of the dual circuit hydraulic type with disc brakes at the front and drum brakes at the rear. A diagonally split dual circuit hydraulic system is employed in which each circu ...