Replacing Brake Lines

[badrano]

This is a carry on from a previous post. I currently have TieDown brakes on my trailer and it's a 2005 trailer.

Looking at the condition of the calipers, I may rebuild them due to cost. Realzing I will have undo the brake lines to the calipers and looking at the condition of the connection between the steel line and the rubber line, the flare nut is quite rusty with a little rust extending on to the steel line itself. Overall, all flare nut connections are rusted.
I'm afraid things will break when I try to disconnect the connections so I'm toying with just replacing the brakes lines in addition to rebuilding the calipers.

I've seen rubber brake line kits. Are there any pros/cons in using an all rubber brake line kit versus the steel lines?

 

[dingbat]

I had stainless steel brake line on previous trailer. Took the easier way out this time and went with rubber lines on this trailer.

No problem with the rubber but I did notice the rubber lines don't provide the braking force I had with the metal lines.

I'll going back to stainless lines when the time comes

 

[tpenfield]

Agree with the above. I'd expect rubber brake lines to expand a bit under pressure, reducing the effectiveness of the brakes. Stainless steel would be the way to go. I used them on my sailboat trailer and never had to think about them again.

 

[Lowlysubaruguy]

Special order stainless lines from your local parts store get them in factory crimped lengths to work if all all possible buy a $25 or more tubing bender the cheap ones probably will kink stainless and use the least amount of unions as possible make sure your lines are secured to the trailer well enough that there not vibrating around or rubbing things they make a rubber insulated clamp for them.

Our Napa can get them i assume most parts stores can. If your trying to figure out lengths mock up fake lines with thick mechanics wire or even coat hanger wire to help you figure out exactly what to order ahead of time and draw up a schematic of where there going lengths fittings etc.

 

[dingbat]

Special order stainless lines from your local parts store get them in factory crimped lengths to work

Easier to to buy in kit form.

A number of trailer parts suppliers have off the shelf stainless brake line kits for trailers.

 

[Scott Danforth]

spend $50 on a coil of 3/16" copper nickel brake line

spend $5 on brass tube nuts

spend 3 hours with your flare kit and tube cutter and make new lines...

 

[badrano]

Thanks for the feedback guys. Another todo for the off-season.