Well, I had the brake line behind my gas tank bust for the second time. The last time it burst (probably 7 or 8 years ago) the shop cut out the rusty portion and added a union. When I had the front part of the line replaced later on they just ran it to that union. Well, this time when my brake line burst behind the tank I decided to do it myself. I pulled the tank and ran the line from the hose at the rear to the union. Now I'm having second thoughts. While I have the tank out should I go ahead and redo the whole line and run it all the way to the junction box at the front? I don't have enough brake line left so I'd have to order another role. Or should I just leave the union in and run it from that to the rear line? What are you guys thoughts?

Also has anyone replaced the rear rubber hose? I'm thinking I'm going to go get one of those and replace it as well before I bleed the brakes. The fittings look a bit rusty on it. How do you get it off of the axle?

Thanks in advance for your advice.

 

I hate doing things twice. Do it once, do it right.

 

When I replaced my steel brake lines, I went with a pre-bent stainless brake line set from Classic Tube. I replaced all of the metal brake lines with stainless, since I didn't want to replace them again and I plan to keep my truck for quite some time. I also replaced all of the rubber brake lines with steel braided units from Classic Tube, including the rear rubber line. The replacement lines went on much quicker than I expected and all fit perfectly.

The way I look at it, I want my 3/4 ton truck to stop without issue.

 

now that its done, keep the union. if you used steel brake line or zinc coated line, coat the line with rubberized rocker guard or you will have surface rust in 6 months. secure it in place with zip ties

most flex lines are held in with clips. I pull the clip out with side cutters.

when you run brake lines...do not run straight lines. put bends in the line to allow for line flexibility/less stress on the line

 

I also did this but got mine from sstube(fine lines). They where a bit cheaper than the other brands plus i got 10% off. If you plan on just replacing the rear section make sure the tube fitting fits before you do the installation. I also did this twice and got a rear section just to get it back on the road until a could do the complete ss line. The fitting on the new tube wouldn't fit(to short threads) so i had to use the one off the old(original) line.

https://sstubes.com/products-dodge-t...tomotive-lines

 

While I feel doubtful that I'd ever have a problem from the union, I decided I'm going to redo it and just run a single line like the factory. I ordered some more NiCopp brake line and I think I'm going to use that. I like how easy it is to work with, both bending and flaring.

I'm also going to replace the rear rubber line. I'm still not sure how to get it off of the axle. The block on it (where it splits the rubber line to the two rear lines) looks like it should have a bolt going through it from the pictures I'm seeing online. However, mine has a hose coming off of the top. I'm thinking I need to pull that hose off to hopefully reveal a bolt under it.

I'm also considering replacing the two lines on the axle going to the wheel while I'm doing this. Has anyone done that? Are they standard 3/16 fittings one each end? I guess I really need to get under there and just pull everything completely.

 

The hose goes into a fitting that is hollow, for the vent line. And yes, that is indeed what holds that end of the brake line in place. Soak it with chems, and it should come off fairly easily.

 

Thank you! I figured that's what it was, but I was a little skeptical of ripping it all apart when I didn't know for sure. I didn't want to break something.