Installing Brake lines

[Airmapper]

I've got most of the parts ready, so I'm about to get under the Bronco and start trying to get my brake lines installed soon.

Any advice and things to watch out for during this? I have a Stainless hard line kit from BroncoGraveyard, and 3 rubber lines, (2 front and 1 rear.)

I noticed a flex line in the stock section going to the Master Cylinder, I don't see provision in my kit for that, not sure what I will need to do there, but if I don't have it I need to replace it.

I'm assuming I will need to bend some sections of the hard lines to make them fit perfectly? I tried one of the short ones on the front just looking and it didn't seem to line up quite right.

Any and all advice and tips/ tricks to making this job go smoothly will be appreciated. My Bronco should be fully stock at this point, no lifts anywhere, and most everything I go to take off hasn't been off since it was put on at the factory. :-X

 

[ilovemaui]

Lots of WD40 and lots of patience. If something doesn't want to come off spray it down and work it in and out and spray it some more until it comes out smoothly. I assume you have the correct flair wrenches. I would not recommend using standard open wrenches especially on something that old. Brake line nuts are soft and easy to strip out if you're not careful. Good luck.

 

[Explorer]

Here is one of the handiest tools I've found. It gets in those tight places and makes sharper bends than a regular bender: http://www.eastwood.com/ew-brake-forming-tool-pliers.html

 

[Sweathog]

Backwards but true. Give the brake line nuts a 1/8 - 1/4 turn tighter. It breaks the threads loose and is easier to remove without stripping.

 

[MattW]

Go ahead and replace the wheel cylinders while you're in there.

I put in the same kit a while back. It's rather easy and yes, you'll have to 'bend' and 'twist' the lines a little, but nothing extreme. The biggest issue I had was the long line that runs the frame rail. It was about 2" too long. Wasn't a huge problem, just a pain in the ass when doing it by yourself.

 

[Rox Crusher]

I just did all of mine.

I used extended braided lines at front corners, and from axles to frame.

The ones from JBG weren't as precise as I had hoped but a little tweaking and they went in easy enough.

All in all, pretty straight forward.

 

[Airmapper]

Thanks guys, sounds like it might not be as big a job as it seems. I'm going to look into the tube bending tool, might save me a headache. I think I won't have too many issues with fittings, I'm taking a hack saw to anything that won't come out and I have replacements for anyway.

@ MattW, for once maybe I'm ahead of the game. ;D I have already replaced all brake components on 3 wheels, and am working on the last one now. It should be all new from the Master Cylinder to the Pads on the shoes.

 

[MattW]

Just looking at that picture brings back painful memories. I HATE drum brakes. I was on number 3 of 4 myself when my needle nose pliers slipped. Punched myself in the face right on my cheek bone. Left about a 1" gash and a puddle of blood on the garage floor. Number 4 took a little extra time to say the least.

Careful putting your rims back on too. I wasn't paying attention on my first one and scraped all that nice shiny silver paint off.

 

[Airmapper]

Just looking at that picture brings back painful memories. I HATE drum brakes. I was on number 3 of 4 myself when my needle nose pliers slipped. Punched myself in the face right on my cheek bone. Left about a 1" gash and a puddle of blood on the garage floor. Number 4 took a little extra time to say the least.

Careful putting your rims back on too. I wasn't paying attention on my first one and scraped all that nice shiny silver paint off.

Ouch. I'm fortunate in that I've not suffered any injuries yet, but I know it's just a matter of time. I can see exactly how that happened, those springs were so tight I was almost convinced they were the wrong ones, but they went on.

I'm hoping to convert to disk brakes on the front in the grand scheme of things. Kind of hate to spend the money on drums now, but it will get it back on the road and that is my current goal.