66 CJ-5 Brake Lines

I am going to replace all the brake lines in my vehicle and am looking for some advice as the best way to accomplish this? I have a 3 way bloch in the front and a 2 way block in the rear. I am going to replace these blocks as well as the lines. Any guidance as to where would be a good place to get the lines and the hardware will be a great start.

 

I bought all my brake lines at my local auto parts store. They are pretty inexpensive. I think most important is to get a good quality bender, that will bend tight radius 180's, just in case you find yourself needing to bend in tight spaces. Also unless you are good at measuring, chances are you will have to cut and flare the tubing. This is where a quality double flaring tool is a must as well.

Is there any particular reason you want to replace the blocks? They don't tend to wear out, unless the sealing surface is bad. Also are you leaving the master cylinder in the stock location, or you changing to hanging pedals?

If your existing brake lines are intact, I would just use those to model the new ones after. The double flaring takes some practice as does learning to measure your bend radius' from bend to bend, but since the tubing is so cheap, even if you mess up it's no big deal. You could even take wire to model your shape after. Most of all be patient and take your time. Measure twice cut once.

 

Good advice above. If you'd rather not spring for a bender, strategic employment of round objects are useful to bend the lines over. I use paint cans, spare tie rods, or other round fulcrum to gain the size/type bend I need.

I too have replaced brake lines. You can get very close to the right line length by measuring. If a mishap happens, brake lines are cheap at the FLAPS like John said.

Having those tools would obviously be best, but you can still manage if ya don't.

 

I redid all of my brake lines with simple hand bending tool. You need to be careful to not pinch the tube if you bend it without a proper tool - that is the risk.

If you have the old brake line, you are just making a copy. You can buy the pre flared lines in various lengths that can be used to avoid having to flare them yourself.

 

or you can get them pre bent from one of the supply places...

yeah i wussed out and did it that way.. saved me days of cursing and throwing stuff in the garage...

 

best upgrade yet was new brake lines.

 

Unless the brass blocks are bad, you ought to be able to re-use them. If you go with new anyway, I wouldn't scrap the old ones 'till I had the new ones installed and working.

The next time I redo brake lines I'm going with the pre-formed lines. That way you don't have to double flare 12 or so brake lines along with associated re-work and too short or too long lines.

The two "S" lines are absolute musts as preform, you'll never get those right.

I'd stay away from NOS lines, especially the rubber ones. They may be new, but they are sitll 40 years old and subject to shelf deterioration.

good luck.

 

used an 8" line and made mine a corkscrew instead.

 

I went to hanging pedals, so I didn't have a choice. I had to make my own.