Brake Lines
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Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 713
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From: Augusta.GA
Brake Lines
My '79 F250 project truck's brake lines are in bad shape and I'd like to replace them.
Seems some time ago I checked at local parts store and they had various lengths of line, don't know about stainless. Does one cut and bend own, using flaring tool?
thanks for help
Seems some time ago I checked at local parts store and they had various lengths of line, don't know about stainless. Does one cut and bend own, using flaring tool?
thanks for help
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,379
Likes: 9
From: midwest
stainless is not necessary and advance sells a 30ft roll and then u can buy new fittings or reuse old ones and either rent or buy a double flaring tool...not to hard but that is the only way to do it
Junior User
Joined: Jun 2005
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Just practice a few times with the flaring tool, it gets pretty easy after a while. (remeber to put the fittin on before you flare!!!) I cheaped out on one of those one piece benders. Now my new lines certainly don't look factory, but they work. So I would recommend a decent bender.
-Tom
-Tom
Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 2,404
Likes: 3
From: Cleveland, WI USA
I did mine on the 78 and 79 with the various lengths of steel tubing. I figured it out so I wouldn't have to cut and flare. When I decided to do a new fuel line on both trucks and the brakes again on the 78, I bought the flaring tool and the longest lengths of tube available. If you read the directions once, it's hard to screw it up (provided you put the fitting on FIRST as stated above).
I can almost guarentee that at least once you'll flare the ends without the fittings on.
And I agree that the $2 bending tool is crap.
Kevin K.
I can almost guarentee that at least once you'll flare the ends without the fittings on.
And I agree that the $2 bending tool is crap.
Kevin K.
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Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 713
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From: Augusta.GA
This is great! Been wondering what I'd do for this. I appreciate all the responses. I'll check out the roll. I'll look for a decent bending tool and flaring tool while I'm at it. Get those from Advanced also? We've got a local Harbor Freight has alot of stuff but not really high end.
What size line is it btw... it's smaller than the recommended 3/8 brake line another reply suggested I buy for a fuel line, right? Be lucky if it were the same.
What size line is it btw... it's smaller than the recommended 3/8 brake line another reply suggested I buy for a fuel line, right? Be lucky if it were the same.
Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 2,404
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From: Cleveland, WI USA
The brake line I used is 3/16" (I think). It's not bigger than 1/4" that's for sure. I don't think you'd want to use anything bigger. I can't remember exactly why, but it has something to do with volume vs. velocity.
Kevin K.
Kevin K.
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From: Augusta.GA
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Joined: Dec 2002
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From: Remsen, NY
It's 3/16 but I'm sure you found that already. What I wanted to mention is you always, always have to make sure you duplicate the coils of line under the master cylinder, they are there for a reason. The cab and therefore the MC flexes separate from the frame, there has to be some give in the brake lines and that is what those coils are for. Without them the lines can fatigue and break eventually.
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