Rubber brake lines

jasonm · Post by **jasonm** » Sat May 21, 2011 7:24 pm

Putting rubber brake lines on the m-38 this weekend,and think i may have run into a snag.
The long lines measure 11 inch and 15 inches or is it 15 and 18 inches?
I tryed the 11inch on the front as it should be but its not long enough, and the 15 works fine.
So I am thinking I may have screwed my ordwer up when ordering!
No i forgot my books on my desk at work..

Thanks jason

Bretto · Post by **Bretto** » Sat May 21, 2011 8:39 pm

How are you putting the front one on? It should come up from the axle to the rear side of the frame bracket. If you try to put it in the front, that will eat up length. The hard line loops back and comes into the front.

per the ORD 9 SNL G740

7372835 front frame to axle line 11"
7372837 rear frame to axle line 15"
7372836 front axle to knuckles (2) 6"

Post by **wesk** » Sun May 22, 2011 7:49 am

Bretto makes a good point. I have seen a lot of M38's with the front axle to frame hose installed backwards. The M38A1 has it's front hose installed from the front of the frame bracket. The M38 get's it's hose installed from the back side of the frame bracket.

jasonm · Post by **jasonm** » Sun May 22, 2011 8:07 am

Ok guys I will give that a try,I will also try sitting the axle and tires down on the ground to gain some room, right now i have it supported on jack stands on the frame so every thing is high and dry.

Post by **wesk** » Sun May 22, 2011 8:47 am

The front 11" hose fits the M38 just fine with the axle hanging in the air so long as you CORRECTLY connect the hose to the aft side of the frame bracket. The tube from the master cylinder attaches to the front side of the frame bracket. The result of connecting the 11" hose to the front of the frame bracket will be a ruptured hose while driving when the axle bounces far enough from the frame.

I am guessing that you are trying to get the hose on the front side of the frame bracket because you have the tube from the master cylinder fabricated incorrectly and it is already attached to the rear side of the bracket.???

jasonm · Post by **jasonm** » Sun May 22, 2011 11:04 am

Afternoon Wes, Infact I am doing it the way you say from the back side, I do not have my lines made yet as i always put on the rubber lines first to be sure i have enough steel line.
However I am still about 1 1/2 short to connect it, I am thinking there may have been an error when it was made, when you say 11 inch is that from tip to tip or just the rubber part.
I have taken a few photos , If you want to see em i can e-mail em to you.

RICKG · Post by **RICKG** » Sun May 22, 2011 11:39 am

jason, my tub is off and my brake lines are installed.
i could probably get some clear fotos if it will help.
you are talking m-38 not a-1 right??

Post by **wesk** » Sun May 22, 2011 11:46 am

The industry standard is measuring the hose from sealing seat to sealing seat not the overall length.

I just finished installing aftermarket hoses and self fabricated tubes on my USAF M38 rolling frame.

The photo below shows the hose in the at rest on ground axle position.

Post by **wesk** » Sun May 22, 2011 11:53 am

The industry standard is measuring the hose from sealing seat to sealing seat not the overall length.

I just finished installing aftermarket hoses and self fabricated tubes on my USAF M38 rolling frame.

The photo below shows the hose in the at rest on ground axle position.

Note that the top of the front axle "T" tilts forward.

Do you have stock springs and front axle?

Email me your photos.

jasonm · Post by **jasonm** » Sun May 22, 2011 1:46 pm

If measuring it is from sealing seat to sealing seat its only 9 1/2.
this could be the problem.