Hey folks,

Rear passenger side soft line blew on my '91 XJ. I have converted to rear disc brakes and utilized (dumb) the donor soft line. Thank God I was not on I-66.

Anyway, for peace of mind, I've been considering braided replacements. I was looking at these (budget minded):

http://www.rustysoffroad.com/jeep-su...teel-rear.html

I think it comes with two... picture says so. Going to call tomorrow.

What do ya'll think? Also, will replacing with braided line put any extra stress on the existing rear line going down to the axle?

Thanks!

 

You don't need 2 lines out back, just one.

Braided aftermarket lines are typically ordered longer then OEM length to allow for added height when a lift is installed.

 

See the bit about the disc conversion. The stock setup goes from the rear soft line, splitter, hard lines across the axle, then soft lines to each caliper. Im replacing the chassis to axle soft line eventually with a longer braided line for the exact reason you stated.

 

Oops....missed that completely.
For the short lengths needed for disc brakes, save your money. I always grabbed the softlines from the same rig I got my disc brake parts from. ZJ hoses are just fine.

 

So rubber should suffice? Call me nervous Nancy, and God knows this could have been much worse, but this was my first brake blow out. I guess I'm wanting to rebuild a wooden fort out of steel wall lol.

Edit: the softies that blew were the donor ones haha!

 

Yep, rubber is fine for that location. There's no threat of stretching 'em, so OEM is fine.

 

So RockAuto rubber replacements are $35 shipped. If these are only $5 more, I'll probably get them to match the braided lines I'm gonna put up front and to replace the single rear one.

So, do these seem like they'll work?

 

That seems a bit expensive I got mine for half that in a chain parts store. The oem rubber lines are also braided on the inside just not the outside like the expensive ones. Found that out when my front soft line came off the body and rubbed threw on the tire and blew out.

 

Rubber lines for half? Hell, AutoZone '96 ZJ replacements are $20.99 each! I read somewhere also that Teflon braided lines are not DOT approved and/or have issues with crimping. Is this true?

 

I usually run high quality replacement rubber lines. I haven't had the best luck with the quality of some of the aftermarket braided lines. As long as you maintain your brake system, you won't have a failure with rubber lines.

 

My knowledge: Most braided lines aren't DOT approved and it is because of the crimped fitting. They have to be done a certain way to retain enough flexibility and support to be DOT approved. Some crimps will put all the stress in one isolated part of the line and it fails with too few cycles. There may be more to it than this, it's what I've learned from dealing with motorcycle brake lines.

Rubber lines would be fine, it's what almost every vehicle safely rolls with for hundreds of thousands of miles in all kinds of conditions. Using non-approved brake components could bite you.

 

Check WWW.partsgeek.com

 

My extended lines are braided stainless and rubber bought from Quadratec I have been very well pleased with them. I have ran them through heavy brush, tree limbs, downed trees striking and pulling on them.

 

Time to check that knowledge base....http://www.seriousoffroadproducts.co...s/Rugged-Ridge
http://www.seriousoffroadproducts.co...ubicon-Express
http://www.seriousoffroadproducts.co...Lines/TeraFlex

 

I believe you helped prove the point. Note their wordings; built to DOT standards, meets or exceeds DOT standards, and DOT approved. Those are three different statements and the only ones that are DOT approved are nearly triple the $. They also seem to have the wrong test approval number, but it may just be a typo. Then consider the millions of lines that aren't even built to DOT standards, whatever that actually means. Consider the ramifications of installing non approved brake lines and the failure of one leading to an accident.