Brake Line Flaring

mbalbritton

mbalbritton

#@$%!
Joined
Mar 22, 2005
Location
Lakeland, FL
I'm having an issue with Flaring a 1/4" Brake line to my MC. I've Borrowed OBXFisherman's Double flare kit. I got teh 3/16" line flared with no problems, but the 1/4" is being a real PITA. Instead of doing the first flare, it's just pushing the line back thru the clamp. As if the line is too hard or the clamp doesn't have enough grip on the line. The Clamp is tightened down evenly and all the way as far as it can go. I tried shimming the hose witha a strip of Coke can at the suggestion of wbcarver to no avail. I cleaned the teeth in the clamp to make sure it was getting all the teeth on the line. HELL I stepped down to the 3/16" hole on the clamp thinking I could get it to bite into the hose. That gave a little flare to it, but not enough. Anyone have another suggestion?

I thought about heating up the line to see if it would help in two ways, One softening the line, and two, expand it a little. But not too keen on a flame and Brake fluid playing together.

any ideas?
 
I don't like the heat idea either.

Random thoughts -

1) Maybe try a different or different brand of flaring tool?

2) Replace the whole 1/4 line back to the proportioning valve.

(Yeah, I know that P-valve is a PITA to get to, but how much time you got in this now ?)
 
Different Brand was one thought. Maybe this one doesn't have enough tooth, Or not quite small enough clamp...

As for Metric. Don't think so. the 1/4" fits it pretty durn nice. and It's the OE lines on the CJ.

As for replacing the whole line... I'd have to pull the header to get to it, and from a previuos attempt at tryoing to pull those lines from that Prop Valve, I'm affraid of breaking it off in the valve.
 
I've heated lines to make it easier to flare, but those were on NEW LINES. It does help alot, but I too would be weary of heat and fluids.
 
mbalbritton said:
As for replacing the whole line... I'd have to pull the header to get to it, and from a previuos attempt at tryoing to pull those lines from that Prop Valve, I'm affraid of breaking it off in the valve.
Click to expand...


This alone should tell you to replace the prop valve and lines.

If they are that fragile, why risk failure when you may really need them to work ?

yes, it is extra cash, but the little it costs now could save the hundreds it costs you later.

Brakes are not something to skimp on, if there is a slightest doubt, it goes. Especially if family or friends are involved.
 
Joel, I may take you up on that, thanks. I'm gonna try slapping a Vice Grip around the clamp at the brake line, or as close as poissble, and see if I can get it to bite a little harder into the tube.

BlkVoodoo, you do bring up a good point, but the line or Prop Valve failing isn't what I'm worried about. they are in good condition, it's the getting to it and getting a good grip on it with out breaking it that I'm talking about.

Something someone brought up on anothre board is that the line may be Work Hardened... and may need a stouter tool on it.
 
well, I threw some Vice Grips around the Clamp and clamped it down even harder. that worked like a charm..... until I went for the double flare and cracked the line. now to cut it and try again would make it too short and I'm geting into the curly Q section. time for a new line.. :p
 
Why not go single flare and use AN fittings in your master..........I used single flare on everything and it works great.....Ive heard of people having problems with the double flare stuff...seems like the quality of the tool has alot to do with it. I dont know which tool you are using, so no offense meant......
 
Cracking the line on the second pass is operator error (at least it was on my part) You're flaring it past where it will work, or trying to do too good of a job.
After screwing mine up I took my brake line and $20.00 flaring tool to a friend in the know and he did mine just perfectly with my tool not his $$$ tool just to show me it could be done correctly.
 
mbalbritton said:
I'm having an issue with Flaring a 1/4" Brake line to my MC. I've Borrowed OBXFisherman's Double flare kit. I got teh 3/16" line flared with no problems, but the 1/4" is being a real PITA. Instead of doing the first flare, it's just pushing the line back thru the clamp. As if the line is too hard or the clamp doesn't have enough grip on the line. The Clamp is tightened down evenly and all the way as far as it can go. I tried shimming the hose witha a strip of Coke can at the suggestion of wbcarver to no avail. I cleaned the teeth in the clamp to make sure it was getting all the teeth on the line. HELL I stepped down to the 3/16" hole on the clamp thinking I could get it to bite into the hose. That gave a little flare to it, but not enough. Anyone have another suggestion?
I thought about heating up the line to see if it would help in two ways, One softening the line, and two, expand it a little. But not too keen on a flame and Brake fluid playing together.
any ideas?
Click to expand...

If your still having trouble you can drive to GB and use my flaring tool.
Hydro assist works perfect every time, dbl single flare no matter.


Sheldon
 
Not that this means much now you have it done but we had the same thing- the line would slip out of the holder when screwing the flare head down. We just took a tap and tapped the threads out to sharpen them back and it gripped fine.
-Josh
 
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