When should I be replacing brake lines?

[adventureboss]

It occurred to me a couple days ago that one of my calipers is sticking a little bit so I'm doing to do rotors, pads, and the two calipers. I have heard stories of the brake lines on TJs bursting and then becoming a headache to deal with. Is this only an issue in states where rust is a problem? My Jeep is a California vehicle and has zero rust. Then again, it's almost twenty years old and makes me wonder if I should be replacing the brake lines as well with the calipers.

What do you guys think? If the brake lines look okay, do I just leave them alone or replace them anyways?

 

[TheBoogieman]

If I'm replacing the calipers, I replace the rubber hoses/lines. I've only replaced a metal line once, when it rusted and went out on me during a drive in heavy traffic.

 

[wigsajumper]

I have only had issues with the metal lines due to rust. This has been on my Jeep, 4Runner, GX470. I had issues the rubber hoses on my old CJ7 that I bought in TN almost 20 years ago. I think think they were original. Check the rubber lines if they are not split or cracking they should be good. Metal lines if they are not split or swollen I would have no issues running them.

 

[WestCoastDan]

+1 for replacing them if you are servicing brakes due to any kind of malfunction, issue, etc.
I had a sticking caliper, and when I installed new calipers, new rotors, new hardware, etc. (from BMB), I added new soft lines and new cylinders as well.
Who knows how long it had been since the system had been flushed, so in one swoop, I replaced everything but the hard lines and E-brake cable.
Those rubber lines are nearing 20 (or more) years old now.

 

[Dr. Internet]

I have a SoTX LJR, so no rust, but I did have a caliper stick hard. After investigation, I discovered that the rubber hose had decayed internally. This decay manifested as rubber flaps inside the hose preventing flow back to the reservoir. This condition had been previously reported on the forum and requires replacement of the hose.
I replaced all of them. My Jeep is 2006 and I did this work in 2023, at 36000 miles. The high daily temps of SoTX may have accelerated the decay.
Good luck!

 

[Ashim]

Since you're doing the calipers and the hoses are original, I'd advise to change the hoses at the same time.

 

[macleanflood]

Soft hoses sure. Never had a rust issue with brake lines but if I did need to replace them you might consider stainless... something like sstubes.com.

-Mac

 

[adventureboss]

Ok, will replace soft hoses with the calipers. They are cheap enough for added peace of mind.

 

[DuckNut]

Ok, will replace soft hoses with the calipers. They are cheap enough for added peace of mind.

When you take it a part, if you see rust colored brake fluid, reassess.