jsmith823

So I decided to make a thread about all of our lift kit woes, because we are dumb and need lots of help, haha. So our problem now is that when we try and lower the drivers side of the rear axle, the brake line gets pretty tight. Its to the point where we can't get the axle low enough to separate the leaf pack without over extending the line. My question is how do we remove/bend the brake line in a manner that will let us lower the axle more? Thanks in advance!

Oh, and BTW, its the 8.25 axle, 4x4, auto 4.0. It was different on my D35, haha.

98cherokee531

Lower the axle till the line gets snug and hit the leaf pack up the center pin is stuck in the perch. Mine was the same way

holycaveman

The junction on top of the axle has a vent tube in the center. The junction unbolts from this vent fitting if I remember right. Just unbolt the junction to allow for more flex.

jsmith823

We'll try that. We are a little nervous because the center pin was stuck so we cut it off

The one that is getting snug i believe is the primary brake line. It attaches to a hardline up by the unibody...

holycaveman

And to that junction if I remember correctly. unbolt the junction and it will get rid of that tension.

tmac

Just take the brake line out. This shows you your going to need a longer line anyways. The other option is to find this out the first time that side of the axle droops out and you loose the brakes.

jsmith823

I reread your post and it makes more sense. If we remove the vent line and the bolt holding the junction to the axle do we have to bleed the brakes?

holycaveman

No. In fact this is how I extended my line. I unbolted the junction and let it raise a few inches, secured the top of the vent line to the frame. Ran the vent line through the junction to the bolt that I put back in the axle. The vent line keeps the junction from moving around.

jsmith823

We have another problem. We can't get the vent hose to reconnect... It's like the thread are messed up but I can't see where. Can It be unhooked from the unibody so I can get a better angle on it?

jsmith823

Upon further investigation, we have determined that the threads on the fitting are bent. The first thread is bent upward, like someone along the line tightened it too much.

98cherokee531

That's the result of a cross thread. Starting the threads crooked.

I ARE EL1TE

Also, you should install a longer brake line when you are done. That line will be too short. Go to the parts store and get a rear brake hose for a 95 wrangler. It's about 3" longer and won't cost more than $20. Then just bleed your brakes.

clichtenfelt

Other half of the lift project here! Jsmith823 and I have the entire lift installed. Everything that is, except the new steering stabilizer. We've tried everything to get the dang thing off, from torching it to using a sawzall to smacking the heck out of it with the sledge. I've heard of using a pitman arm puller to push out the draglink side bolt, has anyone used this method? Or have another, better idea? Thanks to all for the advice, the junction idea worked well, and besides the discovered cross thread (which wasn't us!) everything else went fairly smoothly