Braided Hose Sleeves

[MY ZL302]

This may sound like a stupid question, but... are there any tricks to putting on braided sleeves? I got a kit that has top radiator hose, fuel line, heater hose, etc and it cost about 50 bucks so I don't want to stuff it up. There's a piece of plastic on one end, do I use that to start threading it along the hose? Any comments would be greatly appreciated. Thanks everyone...

Paul


16 MAR 07

Below is a pic showing the fuel line done as well as the air con removed. Just the other heater hose and the vacuum hoses to do... (thanks all for the feedback).

Paul

[Nufnsus]

those kits can look a treat if installed properly, and for $50, one really can't complain ey...
just be very careful when rolling them over your hose, as it is easy to bent the mesh, and that will cause an eye sore later on, once everything is back in place.

when i installed mine, i taped a piece of gaffa tape over the end of the hose and shaped it into a cone. i filled one of those lil spray cans one use for plants etc. with some warm water and a good amount of soap. after i applied the tape, i sprayed the hose with the warm soappy water, as it makes it alot easier to roll the sleeve over the hose.

when rolling the hose, which is cut to size with a bit extra either way (remember, they can expand and retract alot), first expand the flat sleeve by sliding a small broom stick or screwdriver handle, approx the same diameter as the hose you want to cover,into it (doesn't matter what it is, as long as the end u insert is slightly rounded, that way it wont get caught in the mesh).
then put that expanded sleeve end over the taped hose, and slowly slide it down. i found it easiest to slide a part over, then push some more over from the back, pull it down again, push more over, slide etc. etc.
rather do it slowly and bit by bit, as the mesh might get caught and bent otherwise.
once the whole hose is covered, pull the sleeve tight by pulling it in both directions with ur hands, starting in the middle of the hose. that way it should sit nice and tight. cut of the remaining sleeve overhang.
when u place those clamp covers, tighted the clamp, place it inside the clamp cover, and expand it as far as possible. make sure tho the screw from your clamp doesn't start catching into the metal over the cover bit.
once again, tape the end of the hose with the braided sleeve in place, and slowly slide the clamp cover over it. remove the tape, reinstall the hose and tighten the clamp, making sure the cover will stay in place. if neccessary, tighten it a bit with some pliers.
voila!
boy, this would've been so much easier if i had a dig camera! hope you can make sense of this....

[MY ZL302]

Excellent, thanks for the tips mate. I'll let you know how it all goes. Cheers...

Paul

[ICEWOLF]

pictures???

[XFSPAK]

yes im interested in how this turned out

[MY ZL302]

I've only done the radiator hose and one of the heater hoses so far. I can take a progressive pic if you like, otherwise I'll wait until I've done the rest.

Doesn't look too bad but a lot of tidying up still to do in the engine bay. Cheers...

Paul

[FRDPWR]

try lubbing the hose up before trying to put the sleeve on as its a tight fit

[MY ZL302]

try lubbing the hose up before trying to put the sleeve on as its a tight fit

Yeah, I used some Vasoline... works a treat.

[Xfish]

Pictures.........>?

[drew442]

should have used KY it would have felt more natural, you could have used the warming one too.

[evan]

get some nice shiny rocker covers, clean up the plug leads and the bay will look a treat!!
might have to get me one of those kits!

[TUFE]

should have used KY it would have felt more natural, you could have used the warming one too.

rofl. Are these kits universal? And can you get them in black anodised colour?

[Nufnsus]

rofl. Are these kits universal? And can you get them in black anodised colour?

in auto store's so far i've only seen 'em with diffrent coloured clamp covers (red;silver;blue) but i'm sure there's more...
seen a neon green set go on ebay...
but i think if you wanna go black, you'll hav to check Earl's as i think they're the only ones doing 'em atm...

btw:

well done My79XD, looks awesome... looks as if you had a lot more patience with it then me... :D

[XFSPAK]

that looks great i want 2 get that done now

[redesp]

get some nice shiny rocker covers, clean up the plug leads and the bay will look a treat!!
might have to get me one of those kits!

I agree

It'll look good with cleaned up rocker covers..

[KLR250]

wow, the shit looks convincing when done properly, ive seen some shockers in the past, where the braid stuff has wrinkled up, probably because the person hasnt lubed the pipe properly

[XF0747]

the kits are unreal and easy to put on, used to have this kit on my old engine, looked a treat

[Seano]

they're a good improvement for the money, i had a kit on the old xp falcon. however i didnt know the vas/ky jelly trick for putting them on.. fudged the one on the lower radiator hose a bit and it didnt look too crash hot. when put on properly and carefully they truely look great though!