Flexible brake hoses bridge the gap between the rigid steel lines fixed to the chassis and the moving components at each corner — callipers, wheel cylinders, and axle assemblies — absorbing suspension travel while keeping brake fluid under pressure with every pedal application. Because they flex continuously throughout the wheel's range of movement, the inner rubber lining eventually degrades from the inside out: a common failure mode is internal delamination, where strips of the lining partially detach and act as a one-way valve, trapping pressure against the calliper and causing a brake to drag on one side of the axle. Externally, the rubber jacket cracks under UV exposure and road salt attack, sometimes allowing the braided reinforcement to corrode without any obvious external swelling. Matching the correct OE number is essential because hose length, end-fitting thread type, and the banjo bolt interface vary between chassis generations and brake configurations. Manufacturers such as TRW and KAWE supply a large proportion of the OE brake hose fitments on European vehicles, and their replacement units carry the original reference numbers. Most technicians recommend renewing hoses as part of any major brake overhaul, particularly on vehicles over ten years old where the rubber compound will have hardened regardless of visual condition.
Each brake hose listed carries the OE references that TecDoc maps to specific vehicle chassis. Cross-reference your vehicle's make, model, year, and engine variant using the selector — the correct hose will share the same end-fitting thread specifications as the original. For additional certainty, note the part number stamped on your existing hose and compare it directly. Front and rear hoses carry different OE numbers, as do left-hand and right-hand fitments on some axle configurations.
OEM brake hoses are manufactured to the vehicle builder's exact specification by suppliers such as TRW or KAWE and carry the original OE number. Quality aftermarket hoses from established brands meet the same pressure ratings and are fully road-legal, though braided stainless-steel aftermarket options are also available for performance applications. Budget alternatives often use lower-grade rubber compounds that crack sooner under UV and salt exposure. For a standard road car driven in normal conditions, a reputable aftermarket hose is perfectly adequate.
The standard recommendation is to replace in axle pairs — both front or both rear at the same time. Hoses on the same axle experience identical age and environmental exposure, so a single failed hose usually means its counterpart is at a similar stage of internal degradation even if it hasn't yet shown symptoms. Replacing both ensures even hydraulic response across the axle and avoids a return workshop visit within months.
The most telling symptom is a brake that drags on one corner — the vehicle pulls during normal driving and that wheel runs noticeably hotter than the others. Other signs include a spongy pedal that improves if you pump it (trapped air from a weeping hose), visible cracking or swelling in the rubber jacket, brake fluid residue around the end fittings, or a calliper that is slow to release after the pedal is lifted. Any of these warrants immediate inspection rather than continued driving.
Showing 100 of 41,220 Brakehose OE numbers. Enter the OE on the main OE search to jump to any reference.
