Lift help... Park brake cable and brake lines

Hey guys.

Im installing a complete OME lift kit and I'm having some trouble with the rear end. I got the Dakar pack and I threw in the extra leaf too, as Im carrying a topper and a drawer system.

First of all, I've installed multiple lifts on 3rd and 2nd gens, but never on a 1st. And its becoming quite the chore.

My first issue: I have the leaf pack sitting on the axle, and the park brake cable is touching the pack. Ive looked at a few installs on here and I've seen pictures where the park brake is under neath the leaf pack... mine is on top, and its definitely under tension from the pack (see pictures). Whats the deal with that? Do I need to relocate it? Or is there an adjustment? Why are some peoples below but mine is above?

Second issue: I was hoping to squeak by and not have to remove my brake line. But there's no possible way I can even come lose to getting the leaf pack lined up with them on. Im Im having some serious issues removing the line. I tried unscrewing it at the diff, found out that the mount isn't free floating on the cable and I could only turn it 1/4 turn. So I assume I have to break it apart at the top? After watching a video, do I use a 10mm wrench on the part behind the tab closest to the frame? Just brake that and it'll come loose / off?

Ive never had this much pain when installing these kits. Any help / tips are appreciated

 

95-to-mid-03 have the parking brake cable above the leaf pack, while mid-03-to-04 have the parking brake cable below. Is the physical height of the new leaf pack just that much more? Typically people don't run the stock overload leaf with aftermarket packs- so that might be your hang up. There are other solutions (bags) for additional towing capacity.

It's been a long time since I've had a stock rear brake line, but if you're lifting your truck, it's time to replace that as well. The stock one won't be long enough. Only use line/flare wrenches on them otherwise you will round them. Sorry, I don't recall which end of the brake line allows for free rotation of the line.

I just went and took a look. You'll want to get a wrench on the (lower) brake line side and hold it in place, while you open the 10mm (upper). There is also clear evidence that I did not heed my own advice 18 years ago when I originally replaced the line, and partially rounded the coupling using an open end wrench.

 

Disconnecting the hard brake lines form the axle won't give you enough wiggle room? I was able to install my J59s without disconnecting any brake fluid lines, I just broke loose and removed all of the 12mm (I think) brackets that affix the lines to the axle. Keep an eye out for tension on your rubber lines when lowering and raising the axle to get the packs in.

 

no I tried that and there's still no way I could get the leaf pack eyes to line up. there needs to a ton of droop for the pack to fit in.

 

Out of curiosity, what year truck are you working on? There are some differences with early trucks and the front hanger locations.. somewhere in the 95-96 range...

 

01

 

Thank you for looking. Yeah im going to try and find some in line wrenches. but this thing is seized on here.

 

Shouldn't have any issues with the hanger locations then.

I would actually suggest that you get some crows foot flare wrenches if you don't currently have line wrenches:


Pick your favorite color kit off Amazon. The ability to attach a breaker bar to them makes getting those little guys off that much easier. Also, once you start tackling jobs that have hard to get to bolts (fuel rails, LCA Cams, etc) these offer more ways to get a torque wrench on a bolt you might otherwise not be able to.

I recently helped a friend with a 02 or 03 Sequoia replace his rear axle bearings, seals, brakes and did a full brake fluid flush. His brake lines had never been open before, and the extra leverage even from the small breaker bar which fit the 10mm made the job easier.

Just keep in mind, for your situation, that the soft brake line is replaceable, while the hard brake line is going to be a nightmare. Take your time not to mess that side of the connection up.

 

I saw this on @Kwikvette’s old tacoma. There’s that extension pushing the brake line up in the air over the pack.

 

What was your solution? I am in the exact same scenario as you are. 2000 Tacoma with the wire running on top of the leaf springs. OME Nitrocharger Plus all around with the Dakar leaf springs and the extra leaf. I had to unclip the emergency brake wire from one end.

 

See here: https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/parking-brake-cable-rubbing.754211/#post-27366563

All you need is an extension to the lever on the drums, using some angle iron. I did exactly this but don't have a pic of my own.