what is the point of loops in the brake lines?

[IDIoit]

ok, ive been wondering this for a really really long time.
most vehicles ive seen in stock form have brake line wrapped in a coil after the master cylinder.

when i build my customs, i never incorporate this.
its ugly and seems like a waste of brake line.

can anyone tell me if there is a reason its installed from the factory??

im about to run new brake lines in my truck and would very much love to do it cleaner.

thanks folks.

 

[hce]

For flex. The loops make the line longer allowing it to flex more then if the line was a straight shot.

 

[Clb]

Stops it from work hardening/cracking.
Not that you cannot run straight from a-b,
Most every line changes direction multiple times curing the problem.
But on a fixed run the vibration can cause it to work harden, without the loop.

 

[riotwarrior]

Makes easier to do body lift too lol

 

[no mufflers]

ive heard from someone its to make all the lines the same length but I don't think that's true, and why would it matter if the lines are a different length. I would vote for what hce said.

 

[madpogue]

^^^^ +1 on accomodating flex/movement btw cab and frame.

 

[The Warden]

As the others have said, I'm pretty sure it's to accomodate for flex between the body and the frame. It's really rather surprising how much the frame flexes on these trucks in relation to the body, especially if the body mount bushings are worn at all. Look at the lines on the body compared to the bed when the truck's parked on uneven terrain.

IIRC brake line's pretty stiff, so the extra coils are probably there so that the line moves as little as possible while still allowing some give.

Also worth thinking about...Ford wants to do everything they can to minimize cost. That extra brake line to make the coils has to cost more, and when you multiply that by however many million trucks have been built, you can bet that the accountants would have blown a head gasket over this added expense if it wasn't demonstrated by the engineers to be necessary.

 

[F350camper]

They are there to make your engine bay look ugly

 

[madpogue]

you can bet that the accountants would have blown a head gasket over this added expense

+1; Ford is downright famous for this. Favorite example is the odometer on the OBS trucks. Rolls back to 300,000 after 399,999, literally because that leftmost digit doesn't have the upper left "segment" necessary to display a "4". Musta saved at least 50 cents pert truck on that one.

My wife's old '83 F150 didn't even have a switch in the passenger side door jamb to turn on the dome light. And no, it wasn't missing; the spot on the door jamb wasn't even punched/drilled out for it.

 

[Clb]

Fwiw
One of my ole mans buddies owned an engineering (a general) company,,,
He had an old round eye pete water truck ( off road se plates) the thing had rubber mounted/covered springs for body mounts and flex lines on the mc to frame... When i asked why he put me in it and had me drive it off into some big *** bank cuts made with a sloap board( radical 1:4) the cab was like 4" off the frame( level ground it was flat on the frame) or the flex on a unibody 4x4 that you cant open a door while hanging a wheel.
I know you already got it( beers are good) just wasting time !

 

[IDIoit]

i guess 3-4 loops is cheaper than a flex line....

i will be deleting these coils....
may even convert the brake system to AN.
i already have the stuff, plus its alot easier than double flares

 

[Clb]

An comes apart way easier!
Speaking of Army/Navy...
Went to see this ole girl today!

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To those who went before us!

 

[hce]

i guess 3-4 loops is cheaper than a flex line....

i will be deleting these coils....
may even convert the brake system to AN.
i already have the stuff, plus its alot easier than double flares

Not only cheaper then flex lines, but steel lines will provide a better brake pedal feel, flex lines will expand more then a steel line when pressure is applied.