I recently upgraded my brake hoses with a 5 piece set from hawks. It came with 2 long hoses for the front, 1 hose for the center (the one on the rear axle),and 2 medium sized hoses for the rear calipers. I used all the hoses besides for one medium-sized rear caliper hose. I noticed that instead of a flex hose, on the right caliper, there is a hard line.

So the question is, what should I do with this 5th unused line? Would it be ok if I added it to the driver side rear caliper?

 

Just keep it handy. Hard lines are better than rubber.

 

It sounds as if you purchased a kit for 89-92 cars, which were equipped with flex lines to both rear PBR calipers—for a total of five lines.

JamesC

 

I bought the set for 85-88 cars with rear disc. They are Kevlar/ steel braided.

 

That begs the question then of why the kit contained five hoses since only four are required. Interesting.

EDIT: Curious, I visited the website and found the following:

Brake Line Kit, StopFlex Braided Brake Lines 85-88 Camaro & Firebird, Front Disc & Rear Disc, Hi Performance Option (5 pc kit).

The issue, IIRC, is that for all practical purposes there were no cars, 85-88, that were equipped with the high performance option (i.e. 1LE). All J65 cars with Delco-Moraine iron calipers required four-piece lines. BTW, Hawks does offer the correct four-piece kit.

JamesC

 

The 4 piece kit they offer is the Russel brand. The stop flex brand seems to be much better. Upon embarking, upon this plan to upgrade my brakes I didn't realize that my car only needed 4. I just figured I need 5 due to 1 per wheel and one center hose. I also bought slotted and drilled rotors, and new pads. This is my first time doing my brakes myself so this I all really new to me. Having alot of issues with the rear brakes.

 

personally, i'd cut and flare the hardline that goes to the one caliper and put the flex line in there. i can't see how that caliper can properly float with the hardline holding it in place.. this isn't the only vehicle that GM did this on, tho... there are actually some cars from the late 70's and early 80's that don't have flex lines on either of the rear calipers.

 

I'm considering adding it too. But I don't want to mess up the system.

 

I doubt that the time and effort will make a difference in brake performance. That being so, why bother? At any rate, good luck with whatever you choose.

JamesC

 

easier changing of brake pads would be one good reason to put the flex line in..