解:$(1)$∵在$\triangle ABC$中,$∠ACB = 90°,$∴$AC^2+BC^2=AB^2$
∵$AC = 5,$$BC = 12$
∴$AB^2=5^2+12^2=169,$∴$AB = 13$
$ (2)$∵$∠ACB = 90°,$$CO\perp AB$
∴$S_{\triangle ABC}=\frac 12\ \mathrm {A}C·BC=\frac 12\ \mathrm {A}B·CO,$即$AC·BC = AB·CO$
∴$5×12 = 13CO,$∴$CO=\frac {60}{13}$
∵在$Rt\triangle AOC$中,$AO^2+CO^2=AC^2$
∴$AO^2=AC^2-CO^2=5^2-(\frac {60}{13})^2=\frac {625}{169}$
∴$AO=\frac {25}{13}$