brake tubes

[Aaron]

Does anyone know what size brake tube is used between the two back wheel cylindars?

I bought 3/16" x12" but that size tube will not screw into my cylindars, the lenght will probably be fine. The 3/16" looks extremely similar to the old tubes that were on but just won't screw in like the old ones do.

Any ideas?

[Merle Coggins]

I believe 3/16" is correct. Not sure why it won't screw into your cylinders. I had to make one for my truck too. I remember making the bends for that line was a bit tricky. Just be patient and don't try to force it. You also may have to shorten your 12" line. Do you have a flaring tool?

[Aaron]

The original lines are 11" long and I don't have a flaring tool, I thought maybe I could bend it a bit more to make up for that extra inch instead of shortening it.

I will have to try screwing in again, but I really tried to get it started last night, and the bugger wouldn't start. I grabbed an old line and it started with no problem!

[Don Coatney]

Can you post a picture of the fittings side by side?

[Merle Coggins]

Does it try to start and get tight right away, or will it not even try to start? Maybe there's a ding on the starter thread.

Merle

[Aaron]

Here is a side by side picture. It feels like it starts, but then gets stuck immediately.

[Merle Coggins]

That new line appears to have a bubble flare instead of a 45 degree inverted double flare. I suspect that you got a metric line.

[Don Coatney]

That new line appears to have a bubble flare instead of a 45 degree inverted double flare. I suspect that you got a metric line.

I agree. I believe you will also need the shorter fitting. You can re-use your original fittings but you will need a double flaring tool to do so. Is there a reason you need to replace this line?

[Aaron]

Well, Maybe I don't need to replace the line?

I replaced all the brake lines on the truck and figured I'd replace these as well since I am putting all new cylindars on including master cylindar. The lines had went dry and i'm concerned there is corrosion in them. Do you think I could just clean these thouroghly and reuse them?

All the main lines went on fine when I put them on, but now I better check the ends of these compared to what was on the truck?

[Young Ed]

For the rest of the lines I wouldn't worry about the longer fittings. All my lengths of line I bought for my car and truck had 1 long and 1 shorter fitting. Even though I cut some of them shorter they all still have those 2 fittings. No isssues. However in that tight spot inside the drum you might have an issue. Personally I would inspect the old lines and if they are ok I would reuse them. I reused my old ones on my coupe. They seem to survive well inside the drum.

[Zeke1953]

When you put it all back together, be sure the brake line is bent in toward the backing plate so that it does not contact the inside of the brake drum as it rotates. A little while after I replaced my brakes, I pulled the left rear drum because of a differential oil leak and found that the brake line was worn almost completely through. Could have been a disaster. Only time in my life I was glad I had an oil leak. Zeke

[Merle Coggins]

I reused 1 and had to make 1. The 1 was rusted pretty bad and I ended up twisting one end off trying to get the fitting loose. the other one was still in good shape so it got reused. Otherwise everything else was new like aforests.

[Aaron]

I cleaned up those two old small lines and they went on nicely, bending new ones would not have been much fun!