How hard is it to flare brake lines?

[krue]

I'm getting everything ready to do the disc brake conversion using the front crossmember out of a mid 70's truck and I want to use the brake lines from the donor truck. Only problem is the nuts on the end going in the m/c are rounded off and I want to replace them. How hard will it be to cut the end off of the lines replace nuts, then reflare the tubing? Who sells a good flare tool for a GOOD (read inexpensive, not cheap) price?

[Fred T]

Double flares can be a royal pita. My friend has the tool, I have used it to roll my own a few times. You have to get the length for the second flare just right, or it won't work. You also have to chamfer the tube end, both inside & out. For the inner chamfer he taught me to use a countersink on a drill motor. A good file for the outer. Also, chuck the bar end of the tool in a vise, you will need the leverage.

More things to emphasize is to practice some before you work on your actual line and to buy extra line, because you will screw some up. But I figure that if I can learn how to do them, so can you.

Can't recall the brand of his tool, but it was made in USA. Think he got it from Eastwood. You might look at www.thetoolwarehouse.net . They show an SK and a K-D for decent prices. At least that will give you an idea.

[cdyblu]

It's realy easy to do. I bought a Matco double flaring tool on ebay for $28. I've used it a ton of times with no problems, just follow the instructions.

[Bowtie67]

It is fairly easy, having the right tool makes a diffeence, usually when you have done a couple you will get the hang of it.

[rodstored-72]

agree with the two above posts. i learned to dbl. flare on my own as well. the key that i found was to make sure that you have a "square" end on your tube, meaning that you file the end that you cut as smooth as you can. i also would say that you will for sure need extra tubing & for sure give it a few tries before you start for "real". just be patient & remember that you are going to screw it up a few times! but all in all it is not too hard. i think if you go to hot rod mag online or car craft mag. online they have a page to go to for faq's & in there i think yo uwill find an article on how to dbl. flare lines it will be helpfull

good luck!

atleast we are are trying to do some stuff our selves!!!!!
--rodstored-72

[JimKshortstep4x4]

Learning to flare brake lines is a good thing to do as replacement lines can be the wrong length. I use the flaring tool set that came from Eastwood and have made hundreds of flares with it. The directions that came with it were good but as has been mentioned, practice is needed. I use the blade on the tubing cutter to chamfer the id of the tube. The tubing cutter leaves the end square so the tube just needs chamfering inside and out. I use a file on the outside and round the chamfer instead of making it a 45 degree. On my set it works better to have the tubing stick out slightly more than the gauge distance so when you practice try different lengths of stickout when forming the tube in the first step.

It is pretty easy to tell when you have a good flare and when it is a bad flare. Leaks from the made up flares is rare.

I have run into brake lines that would not flare as they would break up or split when trying to flare them.

Good luck!

Jim

[Fastfun]

When I installed my rear disc brakes I borrowed a flaring tool from Autozone and I was able to do the double flare with no problem.

[69TowRig]

I bought a K-D Tools flaring tool for about $80 I believe. That replaced the cheapy I bought from Sears that broke in the middle of doing a double flare. Well the good K-D finished that flare and has made many others. The cheapy "Performance Tool" brand junk only did 2 flares before it broke, stripped the threads right out of the tool. Re-doing my brake lines taught me the value of good tools.

[LMN8UR]

If you are like me, I don't need these specialty tools frequently. Auto Zone sells a " Great Neck SAE Double Flaring Tool Set " Part No.: 27015 for $25.00.
Get some extra lines to practice with, after your second or third try you'll realize how easy it is.

Good Luck

[rkarr]

You might ask ECE how much for new lines... May not be worth your time to try to re-flare....
Also, DO buy a line wrench! I don't know why, but they really work magic!
JMHO... Hope it helps.

[FormerMember]

The only difficulty I ever had was doing stainless double wall lines...