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Break line fabrication
Posted: Thu Jul 22, 2010 8:16 am
by Doc Casey
So part of the casualty list from breaking my upper control arm brackets off the back axle was the break line on the drivers side of the axle. So far none of the parts shops have been able to find the part and the dealer wants $450 for a line that is all of about 2 foot. I believe the term for that is called highway robbery! lol Does anybody have tools and know how to maybe help fab something up? Also I know there is a boneyard out in this area that's been mentioned on here for parts. Can somebody please send me the Info for them as that may be an option also if they have it. From what the dealer said it's a Rubicon specific part for the brake system on that package and the original supplier no longer makes them. That was there BS to try and explain the price anyways.

Posted: Thu Jul 22, 2010 9:33 am
by tobyw
Rubicon specific brake lines? I don't think so... Possible, but certainly nothing out of the ordinary. Maybe they are calling it Rubi specific because it's D44/disc and not D35/drum? Regardless, I am 99.9% positive you could take that brake line off the housing, go to your FLAPS (Friendly Local Auto Parts Store) and have them match up the end connections with a stock-length of the generic brake line tubing. Since you've already got the factory piece in-hand, replicating it with careful hand bending should be a no brainer. IF, for some reason, there are bastard fittings on the ends, I would simply buy a section of the appropriate size brake line and some compression fittings. Cut out the damaged sections of the factory line, and replace it with the new stuff. Done.
Pasco Auto Wrecking is the local yard here in Tri-Cities.
http://www.pascoautowrecking.com (509)547-7242 and ask for John.
Posted: Thu Jul 22, 2010 10:58 am
by White trash
Thats not highway robbery. Thats attempted aggrevated rape! That whole axle isn't worth $450.
Like toby said pasco might have it but if not its simple to make a replacement from a straight line available at the local parts store. If they only have one thats too long no worries, many of us have the tools to cut it down and change the nuts if needed.
Posted: Thu Jul 22, 2010 11:01 am
by Wrench
For $450 you could buy:
-a straight section of brake line at your needed length, available at any Napa and most other parts stores
-a tool box from Harbor Freight, filled with tools, to include a brake line bender, so you can bend your brake line how you want it.

Posted: Thu Jul 22, 2010 11:21 am
by OldGreen
Go to 9 to 9. They'll spend hours trying to help you. If that doesn't work, Central Hose in PSC can make it for you in a few minutes. They have a whip zammy brake line machine.
Posted: Thu Jul 22, 2010 11:45 am
by iaccocca
Oh no, guys! The Rubicon brakelines are very special. No regular tube bender can bend them and they purify the brake fluid every time you hit the pedal. Where did you find one for only $450? You are lucky you do not have to find one for an Unlimited Rubicon.
(Okay, I'm done now, you can listen to these guys. I'm just an old parts manager that misses the hi-way robbery.)
Posted: Thu Jul 22, 2010 2:48 pm
by Doc Casey
It's got some funky connecters on the ends is the issue. There's about a foot of flex line and another foot to foot and a half of bent tubing. The Jeep dealer in Kennewick is the ones telling me that the Rubi axes with the disk breaks has different connector than the standard. I haven't really messed with break lines much at all, but have never seen one like this either. But yeah I'd rather just try to fab some type of fix for the tube part thats damaged. Just not to sure how to do it really. And not even sure I have the tools to get into that on my own. What do you need to attach the pressure fittings if I cut part of the line and just replace that section?
Posted: Thu Jul 22, 2010 2:54 pm
by Grumpy
Talk to Jim and Jose about the AN fittings on the race truck...
http://www.racepartsolutions.com/categories.asp?cat=2
Baxter's seems to keep a fair stock of 'em.
Posted: Thu Jul 22, 2010 3:22 pm
by iaccocca
Don't go to the Jeep dealership in Kennewick. All seriousness now... I was a Lithia parts manger. If you think you need a factoy part give Barton a call just to see if they are talking the same part / price ball park.
Posted: Thu Jul 22, 2010 3:55 pm
by White trash
The fittings on the line are a non issue, they are fine the damaged area is the tubing which is EASY to replace. I'll be home tonight and should be around all weekend if you need a hand in repkacing it.
If you want to upgrade everything to AN fittings thats easy too, hell you can replace every line on the rig for half what the stealership wants for one hard line.

Although baxters has a nice supply of fittings they are outfreakingragiously priced. I get all my brake stuff from speedwaymotors.com

Posted: Thu Jul 22, 2010 5:53 pm
by OldGreen
Yeah, speedway or summit if you don't have to have them tonight. Baxters if you need them before 6pm today.
Posted: Thu Jul 22, 2010 6:11 pm
by Doc Casey
It will go down the road right now. I didn't chew all the way through it. But I chewed off quite a bit of life from it and would rather not have another breakdown 20 miles back in the blues. Not to mention a trip down to NoCal next month.
Posted: Mon Jul 26, 2010 10:18 am
by Doc Casey
Thanks again Trashy for the help fixing the line.