Installing extended Jeep brake hoses

[TerryMason]

Installing new / extended brake hoses on a Wrangler.

After lifting my 2005 Wrangler with a 2.5 inch lift, it became apparent that my stock flexible brake lines weren't going to cut it anymore. While they were fine on the street, the first time I went offroad I noticed that when my front tire dipped all the way down into a hole, the brake line would extend all the way, becoming taught and getting ready to snap. The answer was some slightly longer brake lines from Quadratec.

The install is not difficult, you simply unbolt the old line, bolt the new one in place, then bleed the air from your brake lines.

[TerryMason]

Here are some photos of the stock brake lines.









And here are the new longer brake lines that I purchased from Quadratec




This is a side by side comparison - you can see how much longer the new line is.

[TerryMason]

You'll need to remove the stock brake lines first. This requires you first disconnect the hard line from your flexible line (a wrench is all it takes).





Once you disconnect the hard line, fluid will dribble out of the line. I taped a Ziploc bag to the line, so that the fluid wouldn't pour over the area I was working in.




Once the hard line is off, you can remove the torx bolt that holds the flexible brake line to your Jeep




Now, using a socket wrench, you can remove the bolt that hold the bottom end of the stock line in place

[TerryMason]

Installing the new flexible Jeep lines is really just the opposite of removing the old ones. It bolts up in the same manner

This is a shot of the brake line, where it bolts to the caliper




And the new line in place:

[TerryMason]

This it likely the most difficult part of the install. When replacing the brake lines, we let air into the system. Since air compresses easily, when you stomp on the brakes, instead of stopping, your Jeep will just compress the air in the lines, and continue down the road unchecked. To remedy that, we just need to bleed air from the lines.

In the past I've closed the bleeder valve, and had my wife pump the brakes, then opened the valve, letting air and fluid out, closed the valve and repeated. Well, those days are over, I've found a much easier way - the Speed Bleeder.

I purchased these at Quadratec, and they are amazing. There is a small check valve inside that only allows fluid out, but does not allow air back in. You loosen the bleeders, then get in the Jeep and pump the brakes until all the air is out. I had to monitor the master cylinder to make sure that it didn't run out of fluid, but it made the job much easier.







Here is a shot with the bleeder valve removed




And the new speed bleeder lightly inserted




When you tighten the bleeder down all the way like this, it's closed




You could just let fluid squirt all over the ground, but I'm not really into that. I used aquarium tubing that I stretched then slid overtop the bleeder, and fed into a container to catch the fluid. This also has the added benefit of allowing me to get out of the Jeep and inspect how much air is coming out. I just kept pumping the brakes until there was no more air in the tubing

Flaring the end of my aquarium tubing




Then press that end onto the speed bleeder




Running the tubing back to a collection jug

[TerryMason]

Once the air is out of your lines, and you've topped off your master cylinder, you are all done, and ready to flex it out on the trails

[Jeeper99]

Great Write-Up Terry! I'm still running stock lines with a 2" BB and I'm going to do the extended lines to ease my mind.

Those Speed Bleeders, do you just crack them open to bleed the air? Then tighten them to close? That is a Great Concept that someone came up with!

[papajeep]

Nice article! I replaced all lines with stainless and had to use longer flex lines due to 2.5" lift. Nothing like new stainless!

[Glamissand1]

Did u notice any change in pedal feel, or brake performance.

[TerryMason]

Nah, the longer brake lines didn't have any noticeable effect on the braking.

[angelkorea]

That looks not easy. Great information. Thank you!

[Jesse]

For the Speed Bleeder, did you get the steel or stainless steel ones?