Front Disc Flex Line Design/Routing

[sjaroslo]

So, having finally gotten the front discs and calipers mounted, I'm moving on to the hydraulic connections. I have an Art Morrison front sub-frame and Wilwood discs. I'm using the Morrison thru-frame fittings (http://artmorrison.com/layout.php?y=store/&x=new) and I know that the calipers use 1/8" NPT connections. I've roughly measured, and at full droop, it looks like the distance between the frame fitting and the caliper varies from 9" and 13 1/2", lock-to-lock on the steering.

Now, if I average those two measurements, I get.... Ha, ha, just kidding, I don't think that anything shorter than the longest measurement would be a good idea....

But, that is actually quite a difference in length, and that extra hose has got to go somewhere where you're just motoring down the highway or making a sharp turn (and if you think about it, during a hard turn during braking, the caliper and the frame are going to be even closer on the inboard wheel), and it needs to stay away from the tire and the coilover, etc. The only fixed point in the plan is the through-frame fitting, which points out horizontally; the caliper mounting surface is also horizontal. But I can do 45* or 90* either through the actual hose:
http://www.summitracing.com/search?keyword=fra-312014&dds=1
http://www.summitracing.com/search?keyword=fra-342014&dds=1
http://www.summitracing.com/search?keyword=fra-322014&dds=1

or by using fittings:
http://www.summitracing.com/search?keyword=fra-481603-bl&dds=1
http://www.summitracing.com/search?keyword=fra-482203-bl&dds=1
http://www.summitracing.com/search?keyword=fra-482303-bl&dds=1

Does anyone have a similar setup that you can share pictures of or offer some advice on what routing methods might work best? I had purchased some 18" long hoses from Fragola, and they were closer to 19" in actuality, so I'm thinking that their 14" is probably the logical choice, but pointing it up, pointing it down, S-curve, trying to do a straight shot.... It just doesn't seem like there is a safe, sure-fire approach. Thanks for the input.

[sjaroslo]

I'm pulling this out of the boneyard just to see if I can get any bites. I'm hoping to actually get out in the garage some time this week with the shorter hoses that I bought with the variety of straight, 45* and 90* ends on them along with an assortment of Wilwood straight, 45* and 90* adapters for the caliper end, but was still hoping that someone with a Morrison sub-frame has blazed this trail already.... Thanks.

[Apogee]

I don't have an AME sub, but most that I've seen run a "U" shaped routing pattern, pointing the hose down from the caliper with a 90* and then similarly down from the frame, albeit most I've seen were just plumbed with hard line over the top of the frame rail. I'd be a little concerned with the placement of your bulkhead fitting due to the standout height of a 90* on top of that, but as long as nothing pinches, bites, etc, then you should be good to go.

Tobin
KORE3

[sjaroslo]

Thanks, Tobin! I actually had the gumption to get out there over the last couple of nights and I think that the straight-through hoses and adapters are my best bet; in fact, I mounted them up last night and I think that they're going to be good. Since I have the car on jack stands at the moment and the front coilovers are actually jacked up quite a bit, I think I'm looking at a worst case scenario right now with full droop, so even at that and full lock, there is a little slack in the line, and at full lock the other way, I have them shaped into an elongated S-bend such that they don't rub on the tire or wheel or get pinched in the coil. I also put my jack under the tire and tried for maximum compression and all appears to be clear, so I'm going to check this one off of my list.... I will post a picture or two next time I am out there with my camera.

[sjaroslo]

I think that these are at least going to be able to get me off of the jackstands (some day). This is at full droop, as you can see that the coil springs are touching the upper A-arm! As I mentioned, I'm comfortable I can go lock-to-lock, full compression-to-full rebound, without rubbing or pinching, so, as Tobin pointed out, it should be "good to go!" Or good to stop, as the case may be....

72465