Topic: Brake hard line what to do?

[jagular7]

While trying to lower the brake line frame mount, I broke the front passenger side hard line right behind the coil bucket. Anyone use a compression fitting for a brake hard line fix? What can I do?

I thought of cutting away another 10" of tube to where I can get a hold of the end, use a compression fitting and add more longer hard line bent with a hand tube bender. Cheapest cost.
I could run a new brake line in the same fashion of the stock one, being it may be 15' long. This would be very expensive.
I could run a new brake line along the firewall to near the stock frame mount location. Much shorter in overall length for sure.

For a longer soft line, doesn't the YJ Wrangler have a longer soft line and still bolts onto the TJ's caliper?

[Bounty Hunter]

I recently used the compression fittings for the first time, worked real well.  Some people don't trust them, so time will tell.

I don't think YJ front lines are any longer than TJ.  Check out a '96 Dakota rear line if you want an extended rubber line for the rear.

[Grundar32]

i had to re-do all my hard lines, after a bit of rust ate out some of one of the rears.. well didnt "have to" but seemed like the right thing to do rather then rig something .. if you have the time and patiance it's not hard or expensive just get some striaght line from the parts store and do the bending yourself .. it will save you lots of money compared to buying molded lines.. and the longest length of the good stuff was under $10 to re-do the whole jeep cost me under $50 including the fluid to flush out the system :D

[ratherbejeeping]

YJ front brake lines are 4" longer then the TJ.  I'm running 87 Chevy P20 van lines, 4" longer then YJ

[Jeffy]

Not really sure why you're trying to relocate TJ lines.  They're already pretty low.  I would have recommended YJ brakelines.  Used, you can get a pair for under $10.

You have a few choices, fix the line with either a compression fitting or double flare it and add an extension.  OR you can replace the whole hardline piece.

As long as you take your time and don't use too much pressure you can straighten a hardline and rebend it.  I did this for my front and rear.  For some reason I found the rear easier.

[HIWYH8R]

Compression fittings are not allowed/and are dangerous for brake lines. You MUST cut the brakeline and do a  good double flare on the cut line and use a flare coupling nut to join two brakelines. There's a reason you will never see a compression fitting on almost ANY kind of hard line in any production car but you will commonly see coupler nuts. Add copper tubing to that also.

Kel

[Bounty Hunter]

Not allowed by whom?  Please substantiate your claim.

[jagular7]

I went with splicing into the line with a flare and extending the tube to the stock location. I already had a tub bender and flare kit. I cut the front line just under the body rubber on passenger frame side. Flaring was rather simple and I actually had to do it twice to learn....should have practiced on the removed tube. My added line does a few funky turns, but alas is clipped in the frame right behind the coil tower.
I added the YJ lines after measuring the complete droop with the shock fully extended and turning the wheel outward. These will suffice. I had to drill and tap  brake line bolt as it was rusted pretty well. I broke 2 torx bits and bent the 3rd before saying where's my grinder....
Once all buttoned up, I had a little leak on the driver's line connection. Must have been some rust. A little WD40 and brake cleaner and a good swipe, it sealed. Now to turn the Jeep around and remove the rear axle for the gear install. (I'm taking it to a friend to do.)

Thanks.

[HIWYH8R]

Department of Transport. Any auto or truck technician knows this. It IS against the law and if your brake line ruptures at the commpression fitting and causes an accident or death then your insurance is VOID and you and/or whoever put the fitting in are responsible for the lawsuit that's sure to come.

As I said, look on ANY car or truck and show me a commpression fitting (from the factory) on any critical hard line, brake, gas, oil etc. You won't find one because it is illegal.

As for substantiating my claim, well, I'm not sure where exactly the law is written but if you want I will spend some time looking for it. Just look up "brake lines" AND "compression fitting" and you will find almost every web page say's NOT to use them, they are weak and leak or rupture under 2-3 thousand pounds pressure.

Kel
Licenced Auto Tech

[Bounty Hunter]

I was just curious as to your level of knowledge of KS or IL or US DOT law.  That's all.  And to say they're illegal simply because the factory doesn't use them is an illogical argument.