If your car is having trouble with its braking system -- specifically, a less responsive pedal when you engage the brakes -- you may need to replace the brake hoses. These components are responsible for providing the mechanism with fluid. With a little know-how, you can replace these hoses in an afternoon.
Set the parking brake and chock the front tires to prevent the car from shifting while you work. Elevate the rear of your vehicle off the ground using hydraulic jacks until there's about 6 inches of clearance between the rear tires and the ground. Locate the brake hoses (sometimes referred to as "lines"). If need be, consult your vehicle's manual to determine the location. Generally speaking, they're located on the upper side of the wheel wells.
Place one adjustable wrench over one nut on one side of the hose connection and place another wrench on the opposite side. Turn the wrenches in opposite directions to loosen the metal connector nuts. Have plenty of old towels or rags placed under your work space to catch draining brake fluid.
Pull away the old line once it's loose, and discard. Place the new hose where the old one was and repeat the above step, this time turning the wrenches to tighten the connector nuts.
Turn the top of the bleed valve clockwise until the valve is about 3/4 of the way open, and attach one end of a plastic hose to the valve opening. Place the other end of the hose down into a new, open container of brake fluid.
Pump the brake pedal (have someone else do this as you hold the fluid container, if necessary) about a dozen times. Tighten the valve. This forces air into the line and pushes new fluid into the brake line.
