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Anyone know if these are a service item on Hope brakes? Do they deteriorate?
yes and [url= http://www.hopegb.com/voir_09x2_image__tgrandeimage_1.html ]yes[/url]
Next question then, how long do they last? Brakes are almost 5 years old.
depends on use really. You know when they are on their way out when they leak fluid. its quiet an easy job to change them.
Five years is a reasonable life - as above tho when they fail they leak. Anything else is a different issue.
If it ain't broke don't fix it
Well they don't seem to be leaking, but the lever seems to run closer to the bar than it did I am not sure. That can change with general adjustment though.
The odd thing is however that the brakes seem to become contaminated when sitting in the garage. They are always bad when I take the bike out first - then I heat them up a bit, wash them and they improve through the ride.
The only think I can think of is tiny amounts of fluid escaping from the caliper seals. But it's a long shot. New pads and a bleed first I suppose.
I had that problem and it was a leak from the caliper end of the hose.
It was so small that I never saw any oil around the end of the hose or on the caliper but the brakes would always go crap when left for more than a day or two.
Fixed it by changing the hose and fittings, and they have been perfect ever since.
lube the seals as well and change the fluid
Any thoughts on how to check for hose leaks?
I might just replace the last inch or so, only need buy an olive then.
I'd try nipping everything up a smidge, bleed brakes, replace lever diaphram if its shaped like a banana, drop a little brake fluid on the piston and push back and forth a few times to lubricate, clean and dry all the hose connections and dust with talc (might expose the leak if it gets damp).
OR send them in to Hope for a full service
Couldn't find caliper seals in a 5 minute search, so I have got some fittings on the way to trim the ends of the hoses, will see how that goes.
Got service kits for pretty much all recent Hope brakes that we're willing to split if you need them, pop in and see us next time you're in Cardiff.
FWIW my hopes got progressively worse (brake more vague) and more likely for the pistons to seize, despite multiple bleeds and new pads - took nearly 10 years though. I replaced the seals and it's all fine again. Funnily enough just done the same job on my car - no leaks but gack buildup in the seals and seal grooves were jamming the pistons.
They cost £3.20 to replace, worth it IMO.