Suggestions for a rear brake line?

OBX Fisherman

OBX Fisherman

Well-Known Member
Joined
Mar 21, 2005
Location
Winston-Salem
I ripped out the long steel braided rear flex line on my XJ a few weeks ago at Dayton and replaced it with a short rubber line to get home. Works fine for the road, but I need to replace it with something a bit longer. I'm thinking about relocating the line to the top of the diff and re-doing the steel lines to the axle. The T-fitting on the axle is on the left side currently and by moving it to the top of the diff, it should not have to flex as much as before and less likely to be torn off.

Are the fittings on brake lines standarize, i.e. any 8" flex line will have the same size fittings as whats on my XJ? Since I'll be making my own steel lines I can use any fittings. Does anyone have any part numbers or application that use a long flex line, like from a 95 ford F250 for example, I can get from Napa?

Thanks

Gary
 
Generalizing, the hard lines should have a pretty standard setup.. You can get the hard lines from AutoZone in various lengths, 3/16".

As far as the fitting as the rear brakes, if it's discs, it may be a banjo-style fitting, could be metric even.

Not sure what to tell ya on the flex line.. I think a 4wd truck would be a good start though... Try a '01 Dodge 1500? They were pretty tall.
 
Rich said:
Try a '01 Dodge 1500? They were pretty tall.
Click to expand...

x2
thats what I used on the back of my jeep since I have the dodge and knew how long it was, I used the 95, not sure if the 01 is the same, worked out great and was plenty long, about $25 from Advanced auto, 3/16 fittings, same as the jeep, just bought the pieces of 3/16 hard line, screwed them into the banjo block and ran them to the soft lines that hook to the calipers (rear disk) the XJ uses 3/16 fitting on the wheel cylinders so you will be fine.
 
Gary, you're set up now should be two hard lines off the brakes to a T-junction block that then goes up to the body with a flex line.

If you want to run the line fromt eh center of the axle, I'd buy a length of hard line, and just relocate the T-junction to the top of the pig. i.e. the same length hard line goinig to each wheel cylinder. Shorten the long one on there now and make one that mirrrors it for the other side.

... or am I not reading your post right?
 
This is how we did Mike's brakelines on his taco, mine are similar, but run higher up on the axle tube.

brakelines.jpg
 
Yes, that what I want to do!

mbalbritton said:
Gary, you're set up now should be two hard lines off the brakes to a T-junction block that then goes up to the body with a flex line.

If you want to run the line fromt eh center of the axle, I'd buy a length of hard line, and just relocate the T-junction to the top of the pig. i.e. the same length hard line goinig to each wheel cylinder. Shorten the long one on there now and make one that mirrrors it for the other side.

... or am I not reading your post right?
Click to expand...
 
You also can take 2 flex lines and attach them together. Then take a light spring or bungee and gently tug the line upwards. This keeps is mostly out of harms way. Works on a offset setup or a centered setup. Those little spring clip retainers are nice but allow the line to be popped through as the come in from the rubber side. Open that hole up and drop the entire line through the hole from the top, adds a lot of strenght to the setup.
 
Picked up a brake line for a 95 dodge ram 1500 at advanced auto for $36. It's longer than the Rubicon express extended brake line. It would work fine in the stock location, but I'm going to still move it above the diff. I got the axle out from under the XJ this afternoon. Figured it would be easier making the new steel lines. Plus now I can raise the shock mounts on the axle, shave the diff a little more, and put in longer studs in the axle finally! I'll post some picks once I'm done.

Gary
 
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