http://www.tirebusiness.com/article/...e-hose-stopper

I noticed folks had problems with the link and figured out how to edit and put the content of the link up front:


A tire valve stem is an effective temporary plug for disconnected brake hoses, a source told Tire Business.


This useful “stopper” prevents or minimizes the annoying brake fluid drainage that occurs during brake caliper replacement jobs.


To briefly recap, I discussed brake hose abuse in my column in the Sept. 13 Service Zone. I urged tire dealers and service shop operators to ban the practice of pinching off rubber brake hoses during any kind of brake service.


Many technicians routinely crimp off flexible brake hoses for both speed and convenience.


First, crimping off a rubber brake hose prior to removing a brake caliper prevents air from entering the rest of the hydraulic system. This trick, technicians say, eliminates the need to bleed the brake system after completing a brake job. Or at least it minimizes the amount of time required to bleed it.


Second, clamping a rubber hose prevents brake fluid from draining out onto technicians and the shop floor. Many workers perceive that catching this fluid drainage with small, inexpensive drip pans is a major inconvenience—I strongly disagree.


The danger in crimping is that it may tear a brake hose's inner lining, creating a flap or flake of rubber. When the driver applies the brake pedal, this flap may trap brake fluid and keep the brake(s) applied.


Curtis Russell, the manager of Transit Tire Sales in Albion, N.Y., gave me a cheap, effective solution to brake hose drip. Mr. Russell uses a common tire valve stem to temporarily plug the end of a brake hose during caliper replacement.



The tapered outside diameter of a tire valve stem (above) fits common brake hose fittings. After disconnecting the brake hose from a caliper, simply push the tire stem (below) into the hose fitting until you feel it seat inside the fitting.


Obviously, spare valve stems are plentiful in a tire dealership. The stem's tapered outside diameter neatly fits into and seals up common brake hose fittings.


Plus, the larger end of the valve stem makes a convenient gripping point when you're inserting the valve stem into the brake hose fitting.


Mr. Russell's suggestion worked very well for me. It's one of those great little ideas that you wish you had discovered long ago.


I think it's unlikely that the brake hose fitting would peel any rubber off the tire stem. But I'd still keep an eye “peeled” (pun intended!) during the procedure anyway.


I thank Mr. Russell again for taking time to contribute here and welcome other readers to do the same with similar time-saving ideas.

 

just to prove at least one person read the tip

 

......... and to prove 57 others have read it too!


(click on the image to enlarge it)

Graham

 

Maybe not.

I got "You must log in or register to read Valve stem's effective brake hose 'stopper'"

 

Mike,

That is strange.

I read it earlier today when I made post #3 but now I get the same login requirement you did.

Graham

 

deleted info here and edited the original post in order to save people's time

 

What a way to misuse an apostrophe