Flexible brake lines

[crispyboy]

I was going to take on a preventative maintenance project this spring and change out the flexible brake lines since my 2009 truck is getting some age on it. I was going to use OEM lines but I am finding several of them are unavailable in my internet searches.
left front 52010313AG
right front 52010312AE
center rear 52121636AB
Do you guys have any secret parts sites I might try?
Rock Auto has Dorman and Raybestos available. I am thinking Raybestos would probably be better.
Thoughts?

 

[Topzide]

I've used Raybestos before on my 1500, and that was many years ago with no issues. Here's a 5% off @ Rockauto that's good til the 22nd March. Every little bit helps today.

 

[BigPapa]

They’re called hoses, not lines. That may be hindering your searches.

I’ve used Dorman, DFC, Centric, Brake Best, and others with no issue. Can’t say I’ve ever used Raybestos. They’re probably all made by two or three companies and marketed under the different brands.

 

[CharlesinGA]

Don't forget the line running across the axle. It has short flex hoses on each end at the calipers. Replacement line has replaceable hoses.

If you order the axle tube/hose assembly make it clear that you expect it to be shipped in a long box or tube and NOT FOLDED IN HALF like one dealer did on the one they shipped me. I returned it and ordered another elsewhere and was specific about putting in a container long enough for it, which they did.

I ordered hoses from Rock Auto. At least one was a close out, all were made in China, even though they were name brands.

Charles

 

[JohnHaggerty]

I went Rock Auto and Raybestos on my 2008. All fit well and seem like good Chinese stuff.

 

[JohnHaggerty]

Don't forget the line running across the axle. It has short flex hoses on each end at the calipers. Replacement line has replaceable hoses.

If you order the axle tube/hose assembly make it clear that you expect it to be shipped in a long box or tube and NOT FOLDED IN HALF like one dealer did on the one they shipped me. I returned it and ordered another elsewhere and was specific about putting in a container long enough for it, which they did.

I ordered hoses from Rock Auto. At least one was a close out, all were made in China, even though they were name brands.

Charles

Now you're going to make me crawl under my truck and look around. I did both front sides a couples of years ago. Now I'm going to see if I missed any other rubber.

 

[Ozymandias]

You did, there are 3 rubber lines at the rear axle. But leave them alone if not brittle, new rubber is crap quality in general even from the brand names and you change it again in a couple years.

 

[JohnHaggerty]

You did, there are 3 rubber lines at the rear axle. But leave them alone if not brittle, new rubber is crap quality in general even from the brand names and you change it again in a couple years.

Thanks. I only did the fronts. A few years ago a did rear rotors, loaded calipers, shoes and brake kit. I don't know why I missed the rear rubber (if I did miss it).

 

[BigPapa]

The only brake hoses I’ve seen fail while driving are old factory hoses.

 

[crispyboy]

I ordered the two rear hoses from moparpartsgiant website. The two fronts and the center were ordered from Rock Auto. Waiting for parts to arrive.
I did purchase 4 quarts of Valvoline Synpower Dot 3 fluid from Menards. Cheapest place I could find at $7.29 quart.
I have the Alpha software. Does anyone know the where to find the area where to cycle the ABS brake system for brake fluid flushing?

 

[Topzide]

It's under the ABS module then ABS bleed. Follow on screen prompts from there. You will need another helper to hold pressure on brake pedal as it cycles. You can be under truck following what to do, and helper just maintains pressure as pedals goes up and down. Pretty slick process. did this on my truck with the DW as helper. Good luck.

 

[Ozymandias]

I ordered the two rear hoses from moparpartsgiant website. The two fronts and the center were ordered from Rock Auto. Waiting for parts to arrive.
I did purchase 4 quarts of Valvoline Synpower Dot 3 fluid from Menards. Cheapest place I could find at $7.29 quart.
I have the Alpha software. Does anyone know the where to find the area where to cycle the ABS brake system for brake fluid flushing?

Two things here.

The rear hoses (only) won't fit to your car without the two hard lines that are a spare part too. The factory ones are one piece from the three way block to the caliper. Even if the have a hex at the connection of the two. I tried hard to find the picture from mine that shows the difference between the two, can't find it.

Second, don't mess with the ABS as long as you don't drain the reservoir empty. There will be no air in the ABS circuits as they are closed of internally. For example a new hydraulic unit comes pre-bleed from the factory and after install a standard bleed procedure is all it takes to make it work.
Just keep the reservoir full, cap on, and work fast.

 

[crispyboy]

I ordered the oem parts for the rear axle lines. I believe these come as a combination rubber hose and hard steel line. I will know in a few days when the package arrives.
I will heed your advice and skip the abs cycling, I was a bit nervous about this anyway. Thinking back dad taught me to bleed brakes when I was old enough to reach the pedal, maybe 8 years old. I'm 55 now......

 

[CharlesinGA]

I bought a pressure bleeder kit just a couple of months ago in preparation for doing the brakes on the RAM. I experimented with it on my Pontiac Vibe first. It is a Mityvac MV7840 Pressure Brake Bleed Kit for Pressure Bleeding Hydraulic Brake and Clutch Systems, Includes 2.5 Quart/2.5 Liter Capacity Reservoir, Flex Hose and Master Cylinder Adapter Kit. The Master cylinder adapter for the Vibe/Toyota worked perfectly, bled and done in an hour (no ABS on this) Another hour to clean everything out with Denatured Alcohol.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09CDY4PDV

I decided to suck the fluid out of the reservoir (then stop and clean the pressure bleeder) and discovered the MC adapter for Chrysler products WOULD NOT FIT. The three tabs that drop into the notches on the res were too deep and would not go on. Messed with it for a couple of hours. Ended up ordering a CTA Tools 3937 Brake Bleeder Adapter Compatible with Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, and a quick connector to fit it and doing some plumbing adapting, but it fit (difficult at first but it did go).

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09TQ5K3FN

Ran fresh fluid thru the entire system, so I don't get dirty fluid in the new calipers when I install them. A couple of days later it rained so I took it out on the wet paved country road near me and stood on the brakes several times. ABS had not been cycled in years so it didn't want to work properly the first two or three times, but finally did work OK. I have Akebono pads waiting to go on, and all new hoses (China made of course) and am in a quandary as to whether I should bother with the 21 year old hoses. The outer jackets are not cracked at all.

Yes, I learned to rebuild wheel cylinders and bleed brakes when I was 14 or 15, and am now almost 69, but the pressure bleeder is the cats meow and makes this a one man job. I like it. Just the hassle of cleaning up.

Charles

 

[Topzide]

@CharlesinGA, Replacing those hoses is a judgement call, so to speak. They will collapse on the inside and not seen from the outside. If the brakes are feeling the same as before, you could probably get away without replacing. Age is a big factor on rubber components. Just like a set of tires will age out and not be safe, these hoses do age out over all those years. I would swap them out for peace of mind. The fluid downstream will be darker with the inside of the hose deteriorating, very small parts of rubber will be dissolved in the new fluid. Your choice on what and how to maintain your truck. Glad that you still have it to enjoy after all these years!

 

[slowmover]

https://www.crownperformance.com/20...ter-rear-line-stainless-steel-brake-line-kit/