brake lines

[tylerthedealdude]

i dont get to the computer very often so my reply might NOT be prompt but wanted to know where the best place is to buy the steel brake lines to completly replace the entire brake system. i have allready bought every thing but hard lines. thanks tyler

[IronMike]

I used American Grease stick brand (AGS). Probably the same stuff shel_bizzy_48 used. I picked mine up at my local O'reilly's as my Napa wasn't carrying it yet. It came in lengthes from 12" to 84". I measured my lines by taping a heavy string to the original lines to follow all of the bends, then pulled the heavy string off laid it across my work bench and measured the length. I allowed about an 1" over the original measure just to have a little extra to work with. I then purchased the length of AGS that closely corresponded to the original line. At first the counter guy wanted to sell me what he had in stock as he didn't stock the 72" or 84" Lengths but I didn't want a bunch of couplings in my line to reduce the chance for leaks. (50 Dodge 4 door has some long stretches of line)

O'Reilly's has pricing and ordering information on there website.I think I have about $55 dollars invested in the line and that included some extra that I could practice flaring on.

[DLK]

I used American Grease stick brand (AGS). Probably the same stuff shel_bizzy_48 used. I picked mine up at my local O'reilly's as my Napa wasn't carrying it yet. It came in lengthes from 12" to 84". I measured my lines by taping a heavy string to the original lines to follow all of the bends, then pulled the heavy string off laid it across my work bench and measured the length. I allowed about an 1" over the original measure just to have a little extra to work with. I then purchased the length of AGS that closely corresponded to the original line. At first the counter guy wanted to sell me what he had in stock as he didn't stock the 72" or 84" Lengths but I didn't want a bunch of couplings in my line to reduce the chance for leaks. (50 Dodge 4 door has some long stretches of line)

O'Reilly's has pricing and ordering information on there website.I think I have about $55 dollars invested in the line and that included some extra that I could practice flaring on.

How difficult is it to properly flare the new lines without screwing up? I'd like to start replacing some of my 50 Dodge lines which look to be original. Do you need a special tool to make the bends without crimping the lines?

[IronMike]

Some of the simple bends are possible by hand, however I used a tubing bender that I bought at Northern Tool (about $15) to make the more complicated bends.

I had a cheapy auto parts store flaring tool but I was not able to make a decent flare consistently. The coating on the AGS can make the brake line slip in the die so I took a razor blade and scraped some of the coating off and used a scotch pad to clean up the end that I was going to flare. After some research, the real difference for me was biting the bullet and buying a good flaring tool- Ridgid model 345 dl (about $75). In my opinion a good investment if you find yourself doing this type of work more than once. I had seen much debate on using a hacksaw vs. tubing cutter to cut the line (tubing cutters, if dull supposedly harden the tube making flaring more difficult). I used a new tubing cutter without problems. I did follow the advice on lightly filing the end to make sure the end was de-burred before flaring.

This was my first time attempting this type of project (in the past I had bought pre-formed kits) but I wanted to do it myself. Probably with materials/tools etc. I still came out cheaper/even with what a kit would have cost (which I couldn't find for my 50).

I did a lot of research on the web and found that youtube had some informative videos on this process. Many different methods shown. I bought some extra brake line to practice on until I felt comfortable. I have been working on this project off and on since winter but someone with all tools/materials on hand could knock a whole car out in a day or two.

Mike

Edited June 26, 2010 by IronMike
add pics

[Big_John]

Does places like Inline Tube or Fine Lines make prebent lines for your car?

[IronMike]

Does places like Inline Tube or Fine Lines make prebent lines for your car?

I checked with Inline Tube and Classic Tube and neither carried a kit for my application. One of the companies (can't remember which) offered to custom bend a kit for my car if I would ship my old lines to them to use as a jig. So I decided to tackle it on my own and maybe learn something along the way. I am not finished installing everything yet so time will tell how my workmanship measures up

Mike

[Robert Horne]

I bought all my lines at Napa, but did not have much luck with the fittings. I replaced one of the new lines again, but still had a small leak. I will try a new line from another Auto store.

[Greenbomb]

Got a question-

Some are using "hard" lines and "soft" lines. Are the hard lines supposed to be for brake lines and the soft ones for vacuum and fuel lines? I don't have a clue, myself. Just was thinking maybe the hard stuff was for the high pressure you'd see in brake lines. Maybe it doesn't matter.

[tylerthedealdude]

looks like iam headed to the parts store my friend said he would help...... so going to give it a whril thanks guys tyler

[daddyo23]

Got a question-

Some are using "hard" lines and "soft" lines. Are the hard lines supposed to be for brake lines and the soft ones for vacuum and fuel lines? I don't have a clue, myself. Just was thinking maybe the hard stuff was for the high pressure you'd see in brake lines. Maybe it doesn't matter.

What I think they mean by hard and soft lines is the ability to bend it. The "hard"line is available just about everywhere in precut lengths and rolls. You need a tube bender with this material. The "soft" line is bendable by hand. You have to be careful when bending as you can put a kink in the soft line too. The soft line is black and can be found in different lengths with ends on them or rolls. Double flaring takes a little practice but is fairly easy. Heck, I did it and if I figured it out, there's hope for everybody.