funjumper

I recently ordered and received an rear HD spring kit. The kit includes the springs, brackets, and an extended brake line. My 4runner was in the shop for a bunch of other stuff so I had them put the kit in for me.

The extended brakeline has a male fitting that is too short. When installed, it leaks. The fitting is about 3/16" short. Downey advised the installation of a brass washer to seal the leak. The shop does not feel that this is an acceptable solution. I agree. Brakes aren't a place to cut corners.

Crown makes the brakelines Downey provides. A brakeline was ordered directly from Crown and came in with the same size (wrong) fitting. As of this writing the issue is unresolved. I am running the stock hose for now.

Has anyone else had this problem? How did you resolve it?

sandcrawler

i have the downey HDs on, but the extended brake line is still sitting in my garage... suppose that doesn't help except to say that the stock hose on mine is still a-ok.

funjumper

According to the mechanic that installed the kit I should be OK for street use and light off-road use. Any off road moves that cause a lot of suspension movement has potential to tear loose the brake line.

Have you been off road much since you installed the springs?

sandcrawler

nothing major; no rockcrawling or anything requiring massive articulation. so i'm probably just "getting away with it" for the time being.

i think i may do extended, coated, stainless front and rear lines sometime this year. good excuse to do a complete brake flush. new rotors too, maybe?

bet you love the new HDs. my rig rides completely different (better) now. hope that helps.

Robinhood150

If you're using stock length shocks then you should be fine with the stock brake line. The shocks are what limits downward travel.

4mydogs

I had mine installed at a shop, too. After they put on the HD springs, and switched to a 9" shock (which was what they people at Downey suggested), we looked at it up on the lift. There was no problem, even with the suspension fully articulated. At least, I say it was fully articulated. Is there any way to articulate it any more than with the wheels hanging fully down? So we opted not to install the brake line kit.

sandcrawler

yeah, my edelbrock shocks are for the "stock" application, so they should limit travel as robinhood150 posted above. though i do remember there being some confusion as to the right model/length when i bought them.

ChickenLover

I didn't bother putting my extended brake line on either. My rear suspension has been flexed to the max many times with no problems.

Strap22

Still running stock line. Notice rear wheel hanging on Passenger side and Drivers side is stuffed. You should be fine.

funjumper

Thanks to all for the feedback.

I think I'll just quit worrying about it. I'll cruise over to Pismo Beach after work today and give it a go.

thewjsand

That same exact thing just happened to me this after noon. I put on the shocks and Coils this weekend then left the brake hose for later (due to time). i dont own the tools to did it so i ran by a 4wheel shop, they put it on but i leaked. Will downey replace this it is kind of ridculous. Any way if you guys are getting full flex i should be ok. thanks for the input!

taikowaza

the same thing happened to me too today! finally got the coils, OME shocks and brake line attached courtesy of brossman who did a great job. the next day, air in the lines. bross and I bled them. then, a pool of fluid. today, fluid leaked so much the brake fluid is on MIN. thank goodness b-man found this thread.
DOWNEY!!! THIS IS &^*^&% DANGEROUS!!! WE COULD DIE BECAUSE OF THESE FAULTY BRAKE LINES!!!!!!!!!!
THE COILS ARE FINE BUT YOU NEED TO DO A RECALL ON THESE LINES
I for one am going to press this issue.

mastacox

I also am running Downey HD's with shocks that are longer, and the stock brake line. I have inspected the line at full articulation, and don't have any problems.

taikowaza

OK so Downey sent me another HD coil brake line and copper washer to replace the leaking one that I got originally. I have gone through about 3 bottles of brake fluid since the original install.
I did not do this myself, but I want to put that copper washer on there.
can anyone talk me through this, or send a pic of how this washer should be put on the downey line?
-disappointed with downey
TJP