I just replaced my main line that runs from just under the master cylinder to the rear soft line. My jeep has ABS, and that seemed harder to find online so I just went to the dealer. $60 for a pre-bent line is not bad at all. I was pleasantly surprised how much more firm the pedal is with the new line installed.

I looked at the rest of my lines, and they all look good so I only replaced the one that was rusted.

 

Well, if you can get the stainless for free.... that sort of falls under #1, though.

 

This is starting to sound potentially very expensive.
Do shops get after market pre-bent lines, or do they make them in-house?

It may be time to junk this XJ if it gets too expensive to replace all these brake lines.
So, I may want to only replace ones that are rusted.

I want to inspect all my brake lines, but do not know where they are located.
Can someone help me make a list of all major brake lines, and how I can locate them, so I can visually inspect?
If someone can take photos of where to look, that would be a big help

 

If you don't have the mechanical skills or feel comfortable doing your brake lines, I recommend you take it to a shop. You will feel better about it. If cost is the issue, shop around. I am sure there are plenty of mechanics looking for work who will give you a good price on the work. As for cost, it is relative. If you junk the Jeep and get another used vehicle, that vehicle is also going to need maintenance that will may be expensive. There is no way around it with older vehicles. And brakes are pretty important.

You can just keep patching the lines that break, but chances are the rest of the lines are old and brittle too and will need replacing also.

But I understand what you mean about it getting expensive. Once you start putting money into fixing the Jeep you are committing to spending more money for the future repairs just because of the sunk cost. I have replaced most components on my XJ, except for the engine, transmission and rear differential. If the engine and transmission go, then that will be expensive. But if they keep going for another year or 2, then the Jeep more than pays for itself.

 

I got a full set of pre-bent stainless lines last year for just over $100. It was a good sale, but IIRC, the regular price was shy of $200. Or maybe right around that. Not too painful, but it's a tedious job, and you do need some tools and some time.

 

Yes, I am taking it to a shop. But, I'd like to educate myself on what needs replacing first. Otherwise, they will do the bare minimum, and I will be right back here again.
I am going to try to look at all 4 brake lines right now, and see how rusty they are.

 

Ok, I got under the XJ and took a closer look.

The lines for the front looks fine.

There is a line that goes to the rear.
There is a coupler half way back, so it's 2 pieces.

Near the rear driver's wheel is another coupler/junction to the soft line.

The soft line goes to a coupler/junction block on the axle itself.
This splits the line for both wheels.

I would like shop to replace the entire rear brake lines.
1) M/C to coupler (hard line)
2) Coupler to soft line (hard line #2)
Soft line to axle junction seems fine
4) Both hard lines from axle junction to wheels.

Can a shop replace these with generic standard brake lines at their shop?
Or should I pre-order the various brake line parts? Will they have the various couplers in stock ? Universal?

One more question, XJ rear brakes are drums.
I thought brake fluids is only for disc brakes and calipers.
Does the fluid make a big difference?

When my rear brakes failed, I lost like 80% of my braking power.
I thought front brakes do like most of the braking.
Are you telling me that rear drum brakes are doing most of the stopping?
Or did it have something to do with loss of pressure due to rear fluids leak?
Can the front brakes not work 100% when rear brakes are busted, or should they be totally independent?