making brake lines
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Posting Guru
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 1,845
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From: Montague, NJ
making brake lines
is it really that hard to make brake lines? i know they make the kits to make the ends on the lines but i dont know where they find them. ill be bringing a 95 cutlass home which needs brake lines so i was just gonna buy a spool of line run it then take it to have ends put on it. if i could do it at home then that would save alot of time and money.
so do they make the end-making kits and where could i get one?
so do they make the end-making kits and where could i get one?
Elder User
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 540
Likes: 0
From: Northern MD
You'll need a double-flaring tool to make the flares on the end. You should be able to rent one from Advance Auto, etc., if you don't want to buy one. I've always used a tubing bender to make any bends, but you could do without it depending on your skill and how complicated the bends are. If you want to do it right, a tubing bender is the way to go. NAPA sells straight lengths of brake line. Check out the layout of the lines and see how long the straight pieces are, where the bends are at, etc. You can use a coat hanger to get the bends right, and then use that as a guide to bend the tubing. Just take your time and think it out, and it will go smoothly.
Posting Guru
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 1,577
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From: Southern MD
I recently replaced a brake line on my van.
Bought a cheap Chinese double flare tool at Auto Zone for $9.95.
It works.
I found that the local Auto Zones only stock brake lines with metric fittings.
I didn't pay that much attention when I got the lines. The shoulder is different, so had to make an extra trip to return it.
The manager said for some reason they recalled all the SAE lines.
Had to go to Advanced to get lines with SAE fittings..
Bought a cheap Chinese double flare tool at Auto Zone for $9.95.
It works.
I found that the local Auto Zones only stock brake lines with metric fittings.
I didn't pay that much attention when I got the lines. The shoulder is different, so had to make an extra trip to return it.
The manager said for some reason they recalled all the SAE lines.
Had to go to Advanced to get lines with SAE fittings..
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 5,958
Likes: 105
From: Houston
Its not hard but if I was you I would check the following places, they sell prebent brake lines in oe steel or stainless steel. It might be cheaper in oe steel than buying the lines and the flare tool and all the headaches.
Classic Tube - PreBent and Custom Stainless and OE Brake Lines and more...
Inline Tube - Preformed Stainless & OEM Brake Line Sets
Classic Tube - PreBent and Custom Stainless and OE Brake Lines and more...
Inline Tube - Preformed Stainless & OEM Brake Line Sets
Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 3,476
Likes: 224
From: Frequently frozen MN
I've never done a flare, but I've talked to a lot of guys who have. Generally there are those who have no trouble, and others who tried it and gave up.
From what I have read and heard
- Cutting the line is critical. There are a lot of internet tutorials that will talk about cleaning up the cut.
- Get a name brand flaring tool. You might luck out, but you might not.
- Don't forget to put on both of the nuts before you make the last flare
If you only have a few short lengths to do, you might try NAPA. They have lines of various lengths with the ends already flared. I've done that. Bending them is not hard, but I would recommend a bender and patience.
Have fun
From what I have read and heard
- Cutting the line is critical. There are a lot of internet tutorials that will talk about cleaning up the cut.
- Get a name brand flaring tool. You might luck out, but you might not.
- Don't forget to put on both of the nuts before you make the last flare
If you only have a few short lengths to do, you might try NAPA. They have lines of various lengths with the ends already flared. I've done that. Bending them is not hard, but I would recommend a bender and patience.
Have fun
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 13,873
Likes: 3
From: Atlanta GA
I bought a KD-Tools brake flare kit many years ago from NAPA, it works well. When I broke the die I bought a set of replacement ones from Harbor Freight. If I had to do a bunch, I would probably invest in a hydraulic one.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2005
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Likes: 10
Amazon.com: Automotive Brake Flaring Tools Here is an example of what you would need. May be cheaper elsewhere.
By the way Harbor Freight are doing a special discount for FTE members at the moment so check them out.
By the way Harbor Freight are doing a special discount for FTE members at the moment so check them out.
Last edited by Lazy K; Mar 10, 2010 at 12:49 PM. Reason: another thought
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Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 5,958
Likes: 105
From: Houston
A trick that most people dont know about when flairing is when you start off the first of the double flare but compressing the tube down to bow it out into the funnel of the housing you dont crank it down just press it down enough to start the bow out. Then use the pointed anvil and press it down softly dont do like some people I know and crank it down as tight as possible you will always crush and split the metal tubing.
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