SS right to disk brake calipers or flexible hose?

[Tmakaro]

I'm looking at purchasing: 20' Single Axle Trailer DISC Brake S.S. Tubing Kit #0539-017

My Axle is 82" not including the spindles. The SS lines that are 17.5 and 72" long seem like they would be tight. I am also switching my drums to Kodiak disc brakes.

Will the 17.5 and 72" SS line be long enough?

 

[Tmakaro]

Re: Think this brake line kit is long enough?

Re: Think this brake line kit is long enough?

I'm looking at purchasing: 20' Single Axle Trailer DISC Brake S.S. Tubing Kit #0539-017

My Axle is 82" not including the spindles. The SS lines that are 17.5 and 72" long seem like they would be tight. I am also switching my drums to Kodiak disc brakes.

Will the 17.5 and 72" SS line be long enough?

I did some careful measuring and it is indeed enough.

 

[Tmakaro]

SS right to disk brake calipers or flexible hose?

I'm trying to hook up my new Kodiak disk brakes and I would like to use short flexible hose on the calipers so that I can remove them without having to disconnect the brake line.

Is this a good idea or should I be running SS directly to the calipers?

Also, I am having problems finding a short flexible hydraulic hose (13-19") with both male ends and have brass fittings. Hmm, should I be using brass fittings?

 

[UncleWillie]

Re: SS right to disk brake calipers or flexible hose?

If the Caliper brake lines go to the Frame, they will need to flex.
If they go to the axle, solid is OK, But the line from the axle to the frame will need to flex.
Never try to flex solid line, no matter how long or looped the run is.

Braided Brake lines are commonly available in 14,15,16 and 18 inch lengths at auto parts stores.
Make sure they have the correct end fittings for your use.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: SS right to disk brake calipers or flexible hose?

You need flex hose regardless what your plans are. You are forgetting that the suspension goes up and down and without the flex hose the ss line would break quickly.

 

[Tmakaro]

Re: SS right to disk brake calipers or flexible hose?

You need flex hose regardless what your plans are. You are forgetting that the suspension goes up and down and without the flex hose the ss line would break quickly.

Correct I need one flex hose for sure. The only reason to add two more is so I can pull off the caliper without disconnecting the line.

Any comment about using brass fittings? My local parts shop has some 18" flex hose but it uses some sort of plated steel for the connections. They can't tell me what it is plated with either.

 

[Bondo]

Re: SS right to disk brake calipers or flexible hose?

Correct I need one flex hose for sure. The only reason to add two more is so I can pull off the caliper without disconnecting the line.

Any comment about using brass fittings? My local parts shop has some 18" flex hose but it uses some sort of plated steel for the connections. They can't tell me what it is plated with either.

Ayuh,.... How ya gonna pull the caliper with removin' the line, regardless what it's made of, rubber or steel,..??
With a steel line the fitting will swivel, on a rubber hose it Won't...

Brake hoses use steel fittings...

 

[Tmakaro]

Re: SS right to disk brake calipers or flexible hose?

Ayuh,.... How ya gonna pull the caliper with removin' the line, regardless what it's made of, rubber or steel,..??
With a steel line the fitting will swivel, on a rubber hose it Won't...

Brake hoses use steel fittings...

Well if it is flex line to the caliper then I just remove the two caliper bolts and pull away the caliper and let it dangle on the flex hose. The fitting doesn't have to swivel. I can then replace the pads, pull the disc/drum if need be. All without disconnecting a brake line and then having to purge the air.

 

[Thalasso]

Re: SS right to disk brake calipers or flexible hose?

This is what your brake line setup should look like. Notice how the line from the frame to the solid line on the axle is rubber

 

[UncleWillie]

Re: SS right to disk brake calipers or flexible hose?

If you have Flared fittings, the metal tubing going into the fitting is so small I doubt that Brass would safely hold the 4-6000psi pressure in the brake system.
Automotive brake fittings commonly last for the life of the car here in the North.
Salty Winter road slush is worse than an occasional dunk in the ocean.
The hose fittings outlast the calipers a few times over.

Another source for Custom Brake Hoses.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: SS right to disk brake calipers or flexible hose?

When you have disk brakes, the line to the caliper has to be a flex hose because the calipers need to float. If you use a solid line, your brakes are going to drag.

 

[dingbat]

Re: SS right to disk brake calipers or flexible hose?

I have the same tubing and brake setup on my rig.

Just resign yourself to the fact if you live and boat on the coast, anything that is not brass or stainless is going to be a corroded mess in 3-4 years and plan for it.

I have brass connectors on the stainless tubing then used a second brass coupler to connect the tubing to the hose. I used a brass coupling to connect the hose to the caliper as well so the hose will not permanently attach itself to the caliper.

It’s been 4 years and the steel hose fitting are already starting to shed layers of rust. Probably should change them........next year

BTW: if you brakes came with steel bleeders like mine, change them. I had a heck of a time getting them out. Replaced them with Stainless Speed bleeders

 

[Tmakaro]

Re: SS right to disk brake calipers or flexible hose?

When you have disk brakes, the line to the caliper has to be a flex hose because the calipers need to float. If you use a solid line, your brakes are going to drag.

Thanks.

 

[Tmakaro]

Re: SS right to disk brake calipers or flexible hose?

Thanks everyone for the help. Here is what I pan on using for the hydraulic line between the two calipers:





Missing from the pics is another 18" flex hose from the top of the tee to the trailer frame.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: SS right to disk brake calipers or flexible hose?

BTW: if you brakes came with steel bleeders like mine, change them. I had a heck of a time getting them out. Replaced them with Stainless Speed bleeders

Interesting...I wonder what the Kodiaks come with. Now I need to look.

 

[etracer68]

Re: SS right to disk brake calipers or flexible hose?

My vote is braided SS lines, Any speed shop would make them up, with ends.

 

[04fxdwgi]

Re: SS right to disk brake calipers or flexible hose?

If you have surge brakes, you need flex hose from master cylinder to the frame, then frame to axle. Then you need a flex hose from the axle to each caliper. Reason is the surge coupler, axles and calipers all move and flex hose is required. Solid lines will render your calipers just about unusable with very poor performance and longevity.

Good quality stainless steel flex hoses can be had from suppliers like Jegs racing. I used them when I converted from drums on one axle to Kodiak discs on both axles and they still work and look like new. The S/S braided flex hoses actually make the brakes work better, since they won't swell up like the std rubber hoses when brakes are applied hard.

All the hoses and AN fittings cost little over two fifity, but worth every penny, in my humble opinion.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: SS right to disk brake calipers or flexible hose?

Most couplers don't need a flex hose from the master cylinder to the frame unless it is designed that the master cylinder moves. Most don't operate that way.

Not having a flex line to your calipers isn't going to ruin them, its just going to make one of the brake pads wear out depending on if the line is pushing or pulling the caliper.

 

[dingbat]

Re: SS right to disk brake calipers or flexible hose?

Interesting...I wonder what the Kodiaks come with. Now I need to look.

Mine are Kodiaks

 

[04fxdwgi]

Re: SS right to disk brake calipers or flexible hose?

Most couplers don't need a flex hose from the master cylinder to the frame unless it is designed that the master cylinder moves. Most don't operate that way.

Not having a flex line to your calipers isn't going to ruin them, its just going to make one of the brake pads wear out depending on if the line is pushing or pulling the caliper.

Actually, the Titan/Dico 10 MC is mounted on spring loaded brackets and can move. Eagle trailer had flex line on MC from factory.