05-22-2023, 12:36 PM | #1 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: ontario,Canada
Posts: 451
|
brake lines
I can't get anywhere to flare my brake lines so I'm going to attempt it myself.
Anyone have any tips on flaring brake lines ? |
05-22-2023, 01:12 PM | #2 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2015
Posts: 8,166
|
Re: brake lines
Quote:
__________________
The only thing nice about being imperfect is the joy it brings to others.... "Silver rings, your butt! Them's washers!" "We shot our way out of that town for a dollar's worth of steel holes!" - from 'The Wild Bunch' - 1969 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7NReUd2_0u0 |
|
Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) |
|
05-22-2023, 01:16 PM | #3 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Minnesota, Florida Keys
Posts: 10,320
|
Re: brake lines
Unless you're a stickler for originality, consider using Cunifer (copper alloy) for brake lines. It is superior in every way and much easier to work with than steel.
|
05-22-2023, 01:25 PM | #4 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: sw minnesota
Posts: 4,578
|
Re: brake lines
Always put the nut on before you make the flare. Don't ask how I know that!
|
05-22-2023, 01:31 PM | #5 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: harpursville ny
Posts: 1,040
|
Re: brake lines
|
05-22-2023, 01:34 PM | #6 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Columbus, IN
Posts: 1,407
|
Re: brake lines
Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)
The first important rule is to put the nut on the tube, pointing the right direction, before forming the flare. The next important step is cut the tube off square and put an even 45 degree chamfer on the outside of the tube, this will ensure an evenly formed flare. Practice making some flares on scrap pieces before attempting the flare on your project. Or take it to a hydraulic shop and have them form the flares, they have much better tools that I have. I did that when I needed a bubble flare for a late model Bonneville. Last edited by Zeke3; 05-22-2023 at 01:34 PM. Reason: Added a word. |
05-22-2023, 01:35 PM | #7 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Central Ohio
Posts: 5,072
|
Re: brake lines
Make sure you purchase a quality double-flaring tool. I've seen folks think they can make brake lines without the proper equipment. The proper tools are not cheap, but they are necessary to create the correct flare.
And as noted above, buy the NiCop type brake line - you can get it at places like Jeg's in 25' rolls. |
05-22-2023, 01:35 PM | #8 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: ontario,Canada
Posts: 451
|
Re: brake lines
I take it that the lines are double flared on a 47 car ?
|
05-22-2023, 01:49 PM | #9 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Long Island,NY
Posts: 1,555
|
Re: brake lines
As others have mentioned, purchase a quality flaring tool and not some Harbor Freight piece of junk.
|
05-22-2023, 03:23 PM | #10 |
Member
Join Date: Feb 2023
Location: San Jose CA
Posts: 61
|
Re: brake lines
Yes to the copper/nickel alloy. I had no luck at auto parts stores but found it at a Parker store that makes hydraulic hoses, fire hoses, etc. Its called Royal Brass here. And yes to a decent flaring tool. Mines not harbor freight but its not very good.
|
05-22-2023, 03:45 PM | #11 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Southern Illinois
Posts: 3,795
|
Re: brake lines
I made all my brake lines "concourse correct" for my 1940 chassis. Using steel brake line I got in bulk. I bought a good double flare tool. The flares and the lines turned out really nice. It's not difficult at all.
|
05-22-2023, 05:00 PM | #12 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Yucaipa, CA
Posts: 1,095
|
Re: brake lines
Quote:
The neighbor just had a '64 T-bird that somebody installed front disc brakes on it and they only made single flares and they were leaking. Always make double flares on automotive brakes. There are several different brands of flaring tools. Some of them work better than others. I have an old Snap-On set that works pretty well. At the phone company we had a neat "Imperial" flaring tool, probably from the 1960s that was my favorite. I have never found another one like it. I should have taken it as a retirement gift. Just practice on some tubing. It's not hard but it takes practice to make a factory looking flare. You need to leave the correct amount extended from the tool to get the correct diameter flare. The instructions will tell you how much for what diameter tubing. Make sure the end of the tubing is cut perfectly square. Make sure the inside does not have any metal burs hanging in there. Then just barely chamfer the outside sharp edge of the tubing with a file. That helps form the rounded edge. Put a little oil on the flaring tool where it contacts the tubing, so the tool does not grab the tubing but slides on it. Make sure to wash all the oil off when you are done. It's a two-step process. You have to practice at how much pressure to put on the tool to make the correct diameter flare. Not enough pressure and the flare will be too small. You can check your progress as you go. Make sure as the tool contacts the tubing its centered. The second step finishes the double flare. If you really crank down on the tool the flare will be too thin and it will crack, then you will have a leak. When your done inspect your flares closely for cracks and always test for leaks after the first road test. This is not difficult at all, you just need to do a few flares on some scrap tubing, and you will be making safe and nice-looking flares. |
|
05-22-2023, 05:38 PM | #13 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Marana, AZ
Posts: 1,194
|
Re: brake lines
Bought the flaring tool that Eastwood sells. Not cheap, but it makes very nice double flares.
|
05-22-2023, 05:56 PM | #14 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: sw minnesota
Posts: 4,578
|
Re: brake lines
I've used the fancy hydraulic ones, they're nice but my plain ol' manual that i've had for decades works fine. As Flathead fever said above, slight chamfer on the outside edge helps start the flare to roll over. I keep the small file for it in the flare kit box.
|
05-22-2023, 07:13 PM | #15 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: ontario,Canada
Posts: 451
|
Re: brake lines
Thanks for all the advice and tips. I will give a go and see what happens.
What could go wrong !! |
05-23-2023, 09:22 AM | #16 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Southern Illinois
Posts: 3,795
|
Re: brake lines
|
05-23-2023, 09:39 AM | #17 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Charlotte NC KiWi-L100 available here
Posts: 2,963
|
Re: brake lines
All steel brake lines are double flared. Stainless steel with correct fittings is single flared.
|
05-23-2023, 11:26 AM | #18 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Marana, AZ
Posts: 1,194
|
Re: brake lines
|
05-23-2023, 07:20 PM | #19 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: ontario,Canada
Posts: 451
|
Re: brake lines
Well I got all the lines bent and flaired today. I did practice on a few scrap pieces and they turn out not to bad, so did the 8 lines without trouble, so patted myself on the back and called a day !! Tomorrow I install.
|
05-24-2023, 08:09 AM | #20 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Montgomery, NY & Port St. Lucie Florida
Posts: 936
|
Re: brake lines
Words to live by.
Never cut brake line tubing with a hack saw. Always use a tubing cutter.
__________________
Early Ford Lock & Key Service https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=46583 |
|
|
Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) |
|