Hoses fail without much warning, and when they do, the work stops.
A dump truck with a blown hydraulic hose can’t raise its bed. A wet kit feeding a walking floor trailer can’t unload. A liftgate won’t lift. On the air side, a chafed or cracked line can leak a truck’s system down until the spring brakes set.
Coastal salt air and sun break down rubber hoses, and vibration and rubbing against frames and brackets do the rest. We come to the truck or equipment, find the failed hose or line, and replace it with the right type and pressure rating so it doesn’t fail again next week.
What our Hydraulic Hose & Air Line Repair covers
- Hydraulic hose replacement on dump trucks, dump trailers, and roll-off trucks
- Wet kit hoses and fittings for walking floor and hydraulic trailers
- Liftgate hydraulic hose and fitting leaks
- Hydraulic fitting and adapter replacement
- Checking hydraulic fluid level and topping off after a hose failure
- Air brake line replacement — nylon tubing and rubber hose
- Air fittings, push-to-connect fittings, and bulkhead connections
- Trailer air lines, coiled lines, and gladhands
- Air suspension and accessory air lines — seats, horns, fan clutch, and more
- Rerouting and clamping lines to stop chafing
- Heat shielding for lines routed near exhaust components
What can't be done on the roadside
- Hydraulic pump and PTO replacement on some trucks, depending on access
- Hydraulic cylinder rebuilds and repacking
- Liftgate motor and pump overhauls that need bench work
- Specialty or very large-diameter hoses that have to be built at a hose shop
Safety: hydraulic fluid under pressure can inject through skin and cause serious injury. Never run your hand along a hose to find a leak, and never tighten a fitting while the system is pressurized.
Fix it on site or tow it?
A hose failure almost never needs a tow. Once the failed hose is identified and the replacement is on hand, the repair is usually quick. The bigger question is getting the right hose — correct size, pressure rating, and fittings — so it holds up.
If the failure let a bed or boom come down unexpectedly, or a pump ran dry, the repair can grow beyond a hose. The mechanic should check the rest of the system before it goes back into service.
What to tell dispatch when you call
The more dispatch knows up front, the better the odds the mechanic shows up with the right parts and tools on the first trip.
- Whether it’s a hydraulic hose or an air line
- What the hose serves: dump bed, wet kit, liftgate, crane, brakes, or suspension
- Where the hose is on the truck and roughly how long it is
- Any size or part numbers printed on the old hose
- Whether it’s still leaking or the system has been shut off
Truck makes & engines we work on
- Freightliner
- Peterbilt
- Kenworth
- Volvo
- Mack
- International
- Western Star
Class 6 through Class 8 trucks, including engines from Cummins, Detroit Diesel, PACCAR, Volvo, Mack, Navistar, and Caterpillar.
Hydraulic Hose & Air Line Repair around the harbor & the South Bay
Hydraulic hose calls come from construction sites across the South Bay, dump truck and roll-off operators working out of Compton and Rancho Dominguez, and warehouses in Carson where liftgate trucks run all day. Air line failures happen everywhere, but especially in the container yards along Harry Bridges and Anaheim, where chassis get hooked and dropped constantly.
Freeways
Service areas
Hydraulic Hose & Air Line Repair FAQ
Can you make hydraulic hoses on site?
It depends on the hose type, size, and fittings. Tell dispatch what the hose serves and any numbers printed on it so the right hose is ready before the mechanic arrives.
Why did my hydraulic hose burst?
Common causes are age and heat breaking down the rubber, rubbing against a bracket or frame, a hose rated below system pressure, or a kink from poor routing.
Is it safe to find a hydraulic leak by feel?
No. A pinhole leak under pressure can inject fluid through skin, which is a medical emergency. Use a piece of cardboard or wood to locate a leak and keep hands away.
What kind of air line do trucks use?
Most trucks use a mix of DOT-rated nylon tubing and rubber hose, with rubber in areas that flex or see heat. Replacement line has to be rated for air brake use.
Can a chafed air line make my brakes lock up?
A big enough leak can drop system pressure until the spring brakes apply. That’s why chafed lines should be fixed as soon as they’re found.
Do you repair liftgates?
Hydraulic hoses and fittings on liftgates, yes. For pump, motor, and control problems, describe the issue to dispatch to find out whether it can be handled on site.