2011 Front Brake Line Relocation - Correct TF BB Lift Design
Thread Starter
JK Newbie
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
From: San Diego, CA & Gold Canyon, AZ
2011 Front Brake Line Relocation - Correct TF BB Lift Design
After reading about the front brake line problem on TF BB lifted 2011 JK's I observed the following on my TF 2.5" BB spacer lift.
1. With the break line bracket left in the factory location the break lines become taught before full extension is reached and failure could happen.
2. With the break line bracket unbolted and left loose between the shock and spring I had to pry the bracket out from being pinched by the spring 4 times. That was enough for me to realize that leaving the bracket loose which was the fix recommended by TF was not going to work.
3. Tried routing the brake line and bracket behind the shock but found that with the tire turned hard to the right, the right side break line had so much droop that it could become caught under the shock bracket and fail when the spring becomes extended under articulation. Same with the left side when the tire was turned left.
The solution for my Jeep was to install an extension bracket to raise the factory break line bracket up 3" from where in normally sits. Parts (2ea Stanley 4" flat tees with existing holes and 2ea 1/4"-20 x 3/4" long SS bolts and nylock nuts) cost me less than $10 at Lowes. No drilling or cutting was required. Just needed to use 3 different wrenches, a hammer and a pair of pliers. It took me about 30 minutes per side including removing/reinstalling the tires one at a time to do the work. Pictures of the passenger side mod below.
Stanley 4" x 4" flat tee
Attach tee using 1/4"-20 x 3/4" SS bolt and SS nylock nut. rotate tee until the leg on the right just touches the weld. This sets the orientation of the tee very close to its final position.
Attach the factory break line bracket to the tee using the factory bolt. Orient the bracket to maximize clearance between the break line and both the shock and spring.
Bend over the left leg of the tee to provide additional support helping ensure the tee (new extension bracket) won't rotate if contacted by off-road vegetation, etc.
1. With the break line bracket left in the factory location the break lines become taught before full extension is reached and failure could happen.
2. With the break line bracket unbolted and left loose between the shock and spring I had to pry the bracket out from being pinched by the spring 4 times. That was enough for me to realize that leaving the bracket loose which was the fix recommended by TF was not going to work.
3. Tried routing the brake line and bracket behind the shock but found that with the tire turned hard to the right, the right side break line had so much droop that it could become caught under the shock bracket and fail when the spring becomes extended under articulation. Same with the left side when the tire was turned left.
The solution for my Jeep was to install an extension bracket to raise the factory break line bracket up 3" from where in normally sits. Parts (2ea Stanley 4" flat tees with existing holes and 2ea 1/4"-20 x 3/4" long SS bolts and nylock nuts) cost me less than $10 at Lowes. No drilling or cutting was required. Just needed to use 3 different wrenches, a hammer and a pair of pliers. It took me about 30 minutes per side including removing/reinstalling the tires one at a time to do the work. Pictures of the passenger side mod below.
Stanley 4" x 4" flat tee
Attach tee using 1/4"-20 x 3/4" SS bolt and SS nylock nut. rotate tee until the leg on the right just touches the weld. This sets the orientation of the tee very close to its final position.
Attach the factory break line bracket to the tee using the factory bolt. Orient the bracket to maximize clearance between the break line and both the shock and spring.
Bend over the left leg of the tee to provide additional support helping ensure the tee (new extension bracket) won't rotate if contacted by off-road vegetation, etc.
Last edited by hacker; Nov 2, 2011 at 08:02 PM.
Thread Starter
JK Newbie
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
From: San Diego, CA & Gold Canyon, AZ
Home depot only had 3" and 5" tees. Lowes had the 4" which had the right amount of extension. The Stanley tees are very common to all hardware stores and are often used for fencing support. In the hardware section.
JK Newbie
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
From: Gladstone, MI
Brake line relocation.
Sounds good, where are the pictures to show what you did?
When I read about problems encountered with our vehicles, and people responed with solutions, they need to include picture's too show the work done. It helps to point out problems but also to show people the fix, that and also to show off your ride, which we all like to do and that is to look at other's rides and compare.
When I read about problems encountered with our vehicles, and people responed with solutions, they need to include picture's too show the work done. It helps to point out problems but also to show people the fix, that and also to show off your ride, which we all like to do and that is to look at other's rides and compare.
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JK Enthusiast
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 111
Likes: 0
From: Mississauga, Ontario, Canada
Man, I should try this this weekend if it's not too cold up here in Canada. The dealership just mentioned to me last week because of my lift I should look at some extended lines. I'm glad I waited. $10 is a little easier than $150 to dish out.
JK Newbie
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 64
Likes: 0
From: Kendallville, IN
Originally Posted by HCSTHS43
Wish I saw this earlier, I just ripped the brackets out of mine and left the lines lose. Those brackets were a pain in the behind to get off, this looks much easier and probably safer.