[steve392]

I'm looking for some suggestions/pictures of how anyone has routed their front brake flex lines. I have a Heidts IFS with Wilwood brakes, and have been trying to come up with the best way to route the front flex lines. I plan on using thru-frame fittings to get to the outside of the frame rail, and I want to naturally keep the flex lines as short as possible without over-extending the lines at full wheel lock. So far I've come up with a 14" long flex line, with a 90 deg. fitting at the frame so that the flex faces forward, and also a 90 deg. fitting into the back of the caliper pointing vertical-up. I have the wheel turned to full lock and have tried this arrangement in both cases. It seems to work OK.
I have attached some photos showing both fully "compressed" and fully extended flex hose locations using a piece of vacuum tubing.
Another possibility, something that I saw in a book, was to run the flex line through the vertical axis of the ball joints (third photo), thereby creating the least amount of flex in the line as the wheel turns. This does however, put the flex out in front of the tire, unprotected.
I'd just like to hear from others to see how they have done theirs and get a few ideas, maybe something I haven't thought of.
Thanks,
Steve

[powerrodsmike]

If at all possible, I like running the ones I do through the axis line created by the ball joint.

That way the line moves less, and doesn't make the line have to fold onto itself in order to take up or give out slack...I've also found that going through the axis line keeps the line out of contact with rims and tires upon turning.

I don't like to put the 90 degree fitting pointing up, as in this direction, during steering,the hose rotates in the same direction as the threads on the fitting. Most stock lines are held from rotating by the shape of the hole in the mounting tab. Aftermarket lines have no such provision.

Also, you want to make sure you have full suspension travel with no tightening of the lines, you don't want to stretch the line and have it break at full steering and suspension travel.
Later, mikey

[steve392]

Mike,
I'm glad I posted. You make a good point about having the fitting possibly loosening because of hose rotation. I think I'll look deeper into running the lines through the axis of the ball joints.

Steve

[Arrowhead]

I looped mine in a pigtail. It allows movement without a lot of slack that can get in the way.