Hey all, this is my first post on CF so forgive me if I break any rules for posting on this topic. I used the search box to try to find the problem I'm having. The issue is that I don't know enough about how brakes work to know what I am looking for.

The other day I felt my brakes being really spongey/soft. So when I got home I opened up my brake fluid reservoir and it was pretty much dry. So then I look under my jeep and I see a whole puddle of brake fluid. Ran up to the store (literally) and bought some more brake fluid. Put the fluid in, pressed the brakes, and it was only making the puddle bigger.

So now that I have let the puddle dry up, I crawled underneath to take some pictures (ATTACHED). I'm in the process of putting a youtube video up as well.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fHga...ature=youtu.be

Any and all help is GREATLY appreciated! Thanks!

 

Here is the youtube video!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fHga...ature=youtu.be

 

That steel line looks completely gone. I would guess its probably leaking at the connection on the steel side, and you will probably need to replace the whole line from that point, forward. The pre-crimped stuff is not very expensive at all, and its not that big of a deal to replace it. You can just bend the new line by hand, very gently, until it matches the old line that you take off.

 

You can buy that line from your dealer that is already pre bent and has the right flares and nuts on it for under 40 bucks. Thats what I did last week and for me that was the best 40 bucks I ever spent on a brake line.

 

Is there a write up/video on how to do this? I don't want to start taking stuff apart while guessing at what I am doing

 

Not much to write up:

don't let the master cylinder run dry
remove the old line
install the new line
bleed the brakes in this order
PR, DR, PF, DF.

 

Do you have ABS? If not, it makes this process a lot easier.

 

Welcome to the FORUM!


This is the way to go if only $40 makes the job a whole lot easier than bending them yourself if you haven't done any before.


He is 100% correct and do them in that exact order. In fact being those are that bad you need to have a look at the whole braking system you may need everything, not just lines. Look at wheel cyd., drums, springs, shoes that thing shoes some really "Big Time" rust issues same for the front brakes and lines.


May not have them if it is in fact an 89 MJ like his screen name, wish people would fill out all their info so we could help them easier.

 

Well I have done brake lines before and for 40 bucks it was the greatest thing I did. It made it a lot easier to pretty much cut the old one out and slip the new one in and bleed.

 

looks like you have to replace from the master all the way back to the flex line. you might as well replace that as well.
then look into the condition of the steel lines on the rear axle to each wheel cylinder.

if your brake lines are that corroded, your fuel lines may be as well.

not that difficult to replace, you do either need the pre bent line which is very long, or buy a roll of line and some fittings and flare your own. this will be much easier but you won't get it as nice looking as pre bent lines.

you will need to bleed the system no matter what.

 

If I get the pre-bent lines is it just a matter of unscrewing the old ones and screwing the new ones back in? Never worked with brakes before.

 

The thread title suggests it's a '99 XJ.

Yep, provided this is a non-ABS system. Introducing air into an ABS system will likely require a shop with a tool that can cycle the ABS solenoids to purge air from the modulator. If it's not equipped with ABS, replace the line(s) and bleed the system in the order described by Turbo XJ.

 

does anyone have the part # for the front to rear line? or can tell me where on the prop valve it exits from...

also, is it a one-piece right from the prop to the rubber one or a two-piece?
i've searched but from some reason can't find squat
i'm hearing too the rubber one that goes to the T is no longer available...any substitutes out the for the oem??

thanx for any help ya's can offer up!!!

 

Well mine has abs and I had no problem bleeding the brakes and my brake pedal feels great.

 

Well I have the part number but it is on my receipt that is over my friends house. I can get the number for you but not till this weekend. When I got mine, I called the dealer and gave my vin and told him I need the line that runs from the front to the back. Also that rubber hose is available from autozone.