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General Forums => The Mess Hall => Topic started by: Enjoi on November 14, 2006, 05:52:50 PM

Title: Steel Brake Lines
Post by: Enjoi on November 14, 2006, 05:52:50 PM

After wheeling at the local river i noticed a loss of pressure in my brake petal, walking around i noticed my brake line had a hole in it.

Went home using the ebrake and went to auto zone, instantly noticed that all they have are the rubber ones, it also seems the ones that the 4 wheel parts store put on are longer and are made out of braided steel with a plastic coating.

where can i find these, ive searched around. Am i going to have to go to a local 4x4 shop *the closet being about 60 miles*

Is rubber worse than the steel braided lines?

Title: Steel Brake Lines
Post by: Mozman68 on November 14, 2006, 08:43:09 PM

They're available on-line...got mine from 4wd.com but haven't installed them yet as I will have to again when i swap axles in a couple of months....

http://www.4wd.com/productdetails.aspx?q=stainless+brake&pid=695950

Title: Steel Brake Lines
Post by: Tall Boy on November 14, 2006, 09:31:33 PM

I got mine at napa and bent it myself. I am not sure how long it will last but, what do I know.  I believe it is a standard size line, so don't let them give you a metric like they tried to give me or life will suck for awhile. I paid some $20.00 out the door with brake cleaner, fluid and the bender plus the line. The line is like $7.00.

Title: Steel Brake Lines
Post by: jagular7 on November 15, 2006, 08:20:15 AM

If you are asking about the flex line vs the hard line, then it appears you have aftermarket flex lines. Usually, these are installed with a suspension lift due to the longer travel from the suspension system. As you found, they are not as great as you would think. The hole probably came from the rubbing of the tire as it does take quite a bit to remove the outer coating, then the braid steel line (another coating), then the rubber line inside.

If you have a TJ, the stock rear line will work fine, unless you have a LA system. Then the line would need to be longer. Reason its not necessary for a SA system is because you haven't changed the length relationship between the frame and the control arms. The rear brake flex line follows the upper control arm on the driver's side.
For the front, its quite different, but also an easy fix. You could look for aftermarket flex lines which would be longer and bolt in, but you could also go stock. No not stock TJ, but YJ. YJ lines have a steel extension on it at the caliper. Its 3" longer than the TJs in comparison. These work well for my setup.

Beware, though, if the stock hard lines are a little rusty, be prepared to spline in new lines. I had to do that to the front passenger and the rear line when I disconnected the flex lines from the hard lines.

Title: Steel Brake Lines
Post by: neale_rs on November 15, 2006, 11:08:22 AM

The stock Yj rear rubber hose is also longer (about 18 inches long) than the stock Tj hose.  Maybe this would work for you.

Title: Steel Brake Lines
Post by: Enjoi on November 15, 2006, 10:32:40 PM

sorry for not telling you guys, its the brake hose, not the line, and its the front :oops: still a noob in all things mechanical

Title: Steel Brake Lines
Post by: Tall Boy on November 15, 2006, 10:36:50 PM

well you have a Tj, call up napa or the nearest parts store. Are you living in bum f*&$ed Egypt with no auto parts stores around ?. I went there recently, it was relaxing.

Title: Steel Brake Lines
Post by: SMC4WD on November 16, 2006, 09:33:54 AM

I have a question about the original topic at hand...

You have a front brake line (one of the two up there) and it either rubbed or got punctured by something, and has a slow leak (which I don't understand on such I high pressure system, such as brakes).

So my question is, are you looking to upgrade to Stainless?  Do you still want to run rubber?  Are you asking for advise as to which way to go?

As you know, there are alot of aftermarket braided S/S brake lines out there.   Check for the DOT approved one's (I'm running Superlift's).  But the brake lines are much longer than stock.  I'm running 4+ lift and they are great for the complete extension of wheel travel.  

If you don't have a big lift, wrap the brake lines in a loop (so they could still extend) and zip tie them to your shock body.  I've zip ties a loop around the line (loosely) and then zip tied that loop to the body.  

Brakes aren't scary...  But an important upgrade.

Title: Steel Brake Lines
Post by: Enjoi on November 16, 2006, 10:26:23 AM

i already had steel lines put in there when i lifted the jeep.

when 4 wheeling my brakes suddenly went out, investigated and it appeared a hole devloped in the hose, just the front passenger one.

Went to the local parts places, and all they had where the rubber ones, plus there where stock length. i new i had other options like the 3/4 ton chevy van, and asked if rubber is all that worse that the steel braided ones.

Sorry to be a PITA but i just ordered the steel ones from 4wd.com and thank you for all the advice