Oddness on rear brake lines

[Speedrdr]

As I get my brand spanking new brake lines from WH out of the box and climb under the 77, I realize I have absolutely no idea what I’m looking at. The 1267 page ford truck (everything 1977) is somewhat lacking. Pictured in the manual, it looks different than what’s actually there. Any help, recommendations, even ridicule welcome.

Randy

 

[DirtDonk]

In the first picture, the one hose with the metal fitting that is clipped to a frame bracket, then runs down to the block on the actual tube, is your rear brake hose.
The second hose that runs up next to it, probably to the other side of the frame, but down to the same block on the axle, is your axle vent tube.
Looks from here like the metal tubing that used to be screwed into the block, has been bent up and out-of-the-way, and it’s just hanging there in space.

The vent tube needs to be removed from the block on the axle, exposing the vent bolt.
The vent bolt has a hex head on it and you unscrew that to remove the brake hose block from the axle housing.

 

[Speedrdr]

Well, let me go look at it some more. Thought I had a better picture

 

[Oldtimer]

Paul, on a big screen I think I see a new hard-line that runs to the proportioning/ H-block up front. The bend does not look right to get it to the backside of brake hose attached to frame corner brace.
@DirtDonk

 

[dmoses42]

These pics are on a '77 frame I have in my garage. It just continues up the frame rail to where the proportioning valve would be, but this frame I have doesn't have one. Goes over the cross member bracket. Hopefully this helps...

 

[dmoses42]

Looks like you should be able to just rotate it about 90 degrees or so and it would go in the back of that bracket.

 

[Speedrdr]

Yep, that indeed is a new line that goes from L. Rear to front of the truck. It was just kind of hanging out while I was pondering WTH I was viewing. It’s back in the bed right now so I don’t step on it in the morning.

The hose circled in orange…just dead ended in the frame. Gave it a gentle tug and it fell out. Is that just the end of the vent tube or is there a connection supposed to be there?

 

[Speedrdr]

The vent tube needs to be removed from the block on the axle, exposing the vent bolt.
The vent bolt has a hex head on it and you unscrew that to remove the brake hose block from the axle housing.

Education needed at this point, please. Why remove the brake hose block from the axle?

 

[Speedrdr]

These pics are on a '77 frame I have in my garage. It just continues up the frame rail to where the proportioning valve would be, but this frame I have doesn't have one. Goes over the cross member bracket. Hopefully this helps...

Where I’ve circled in blue on your pic, what is that coming through the frame? Looks like the E-brake line. Is it just kinda stuck out of the way there?

R

 

[Speedrdr]

Paul, on a big screen I think I see a new hard-line that runs to the proportioning/ H-block up front. The bend does not look right to get it to the backside of brake hose attached to frame corner brace.
@DirtDonk

You are correct! I had it up under the truck with me to install when I realized that I was confused.

R

 

[dmoses42]

Where I’ve circled in blue on your pic, what is that coming through the frame? Looks like the E-brake line. Is it just kinda stuck out of the way there?

R

It is the e-brake cable. Since it doesn't have an axle under it, I just crammed it in a random hole to get it out of the way when I was bringing it in the garage...

 

[Speedrdr]

It is the e-brake cable. Since it doesn't have an axle under it, I just crammed it in a random hole to get it out of the way when I was bringing it in the garage...

Phew! I am so glad to know that. This ordeal almost makes me want to do a frame-off job.

R

 

[dmoses42]

Education needed at this point, please. Why remove the brake hose block from the axle?

That brake hose block is part of the rear center brake hose, so when you replace that hose, its part of it.

 

[Speedrdr]

Got it! I knew there would be answers to my questions. I will get back under the bed and get after brake lines tomorrow morning.

R

 

[DirtDonk]

I know you said “lines” in your original post, but seeing the picture of the frame-to-axle hose, made me kind of assume you were replacing it as well.
So yes, as was said, you only need to remove the vent hose when replacing the brake hose.
Actually, two reasons.
One is two replace the brake hose, but the other is to clear the vent.
They often get gummed up or filled with mud dauber wasp nests.
Your vent tube looks like it was replaced at one point anyway, since I think I see a splice there. If you’re not replacing your brake hose at the moment, I would still remove the vent hose and check that the axle vent is clear.

 

[67sport]

, I would still remove the vent hose and check that the axle vent is clear.

Good advise from Paul as usual.

I might add, to remove the vent bolt that is holding the brake block to the axle before you clean it out, so you don't push any junk in there into your axle.