8 secrets to bending and flaring pro-quality brake lines

Carl
By Carl Heideman
Aug 24, 2024 | DIY, brakes, Brake Lines, tech, Shop Work | Posted in Shop Work | From the Dec. 2018 issue | Never miss an article

Photography by Carl Heideman

Certain projects seem to instill anxiety in even the most hardcore enthusiasts. Wiring probably takes top prize in this category, with brake plumbing running a close second.

What makes brake plumbing such a headache? We strongly believe it’s the quality of the tools. Most brake tools are just junk, and junk tools create junk results. It’s just that simple.

We’ve successfully bent up hundreds of brake lines over the years. Our main secret? We don’t use bending tools. Instead, we’ve invested those funds in a high-quality flaring tool. To learn the rest of our secrets, just follow along as we make a brake line for one of our project cars.

Step 1:

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We buy our brake lines two ways. Usually we just buy it in straight sections from our friendly local auto parts store, where it’s generally sold in various lengths ranging from about 12 to 60 inches. If we’re lucky, we can find the exact length we need and avoid having to cut and flare one end. (We’re rarely lucky.)

When we’re tackling a big job, we buy our brake line in bulk coils of 25 or 50 feet. We often choose stainless steel for these projects instead of the plated mild steel that’s available in the straight sections. Not all stainless lines are created equal, so we’ve settled on Classic Tube as our go-to source. Their lines are annealed for easier bendinq.

Step 2:

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Here’s another big secret: Always work from a pattern. If we have an old line to copy, that’s the easy button. If we don’t, we make our own pattern, usually out of 1/16-inch welding rod.

Step 3:

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For this replacement, we started with a 60-inch line sourced from our local NAPA store. Using the old line as a reference, we made our initial bends by hand, working from one end to the other.

Step 4:

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This photo reveals two more tricks. Secret 3: Instead of using a tool, we simply bend the tube around a found object that happens to have the right radius. Secret 4 solves what we believe is the biggest brake plumbing issue for most people: As we move along the line to make new bends, we tape it to the old line. This keeps it from twisting and losing its 3D reference.

Step 5 and 6:

Moving down the line, we continue to use found objects as bending tools. In this case, it’s a cast-off piece of 3-inch-diameter tubing.

Step 7:

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Secret 5: Whenever we just can’t perfectly duplicate a bend, we stray from the pattern a bit. For example, this tight radius just wouldn’t bend nicely, so we made it larger. Note that we still brought the line back into the correct position before the next bend. How did we know we couldn’t achieve that tight radius? Secret 6: We tried it on a test piece first. Practice and mock-ups make perfect.

Step 8:

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Our new line is officially bent. Now the straight part just needs a fitting and a flare.

Step 9:

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Before we pick up our flaring tool, we remember to install the fitting, using some tape to secure it. We won’t mention how many times we’ve flared a line and then realized we didn’t have the fitting in place. So maybe this qualifies as Secret 7: Don’t forget the fitting first.

Step 10:

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Our flaring tool of choice is Classic Tube’s Universal Hydraulic Flaring Tool Kit. We start the process by using the 3/16-inch holding fixture to clamp our line.

Step 11:

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The fixtures will move a bit, so it’s important to accurately line them up. That’s Secret 8: Be very fussy and compulsive with your flaring tool. This is especially important if you can’t afford a high-quality tool. Cheap tools will work okay if you’re finicky (and don’t mind redoing things a few times).

Step 12:

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Once the fixtures are lined up, we clamp them in place.

Step 13:

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We insert the first die into the tool. This die flares the inside of the line.

Step 14:

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The hydraulic pump presses the die on the line.

Step 15:

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We insert the second die and again pump the tool. This die adds the final shape to the flare.

Step 16:

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The result is a perfect flare that won’t leak.

Step 17:

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And the finished line is ready to go in the car.

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Comments
Agent98
Agent98 Reader
1/9/20 9:29 a.m.

Use the Ni-Cu lines , way easier to work with than SS or Steel. Volvo uses it as OEM becuase it wont corrode.

RadBarchetta
RadBarchetta New Reader
1/9/20 9:57 a.m.
Agent98 said:

Use the Ni-Cu lines , way easier to work with than SS or Steel. Volvo uses it as OEM becuase it wont corrode.

I agree with this, although being easier to bend also means they are easier to mess up and pinch while you're bending, so be extra careful.

oneway
oneway New Reader
1/10/20 9:58 p.m.

Great article and very useful.  My first attempt at brake lines was our 68 Datsun roadster.  Pre bent kits were very expensive so I thought it would be worth a try.  The project came out OK.  Learned a lot and some of my tactics are found in this informative article.  Good to know that even the experts rely on good old fashioned fabrication.  My next project is our 1978 280Z which will be needed all new lines as well.  I played around with some of the Ni-Cu lines on display at the Charlotte Auto Fair at the Classic Tube display and was quite amazed.  I almost bought a roll and fitting assortment but the Z car resurrection project has a lot of other work to be done before tackling the brake system which will include changing over to disc brakes in the rear.  Keep providing the great how to info for those of us on a budget.  Thanks, John-Lugoff, SC

Paul_VR6
Paul_VR6 Dork
1/11/20 6:52 a.m.

Nickel/copper lines and a piece of pipe for a bend mandrel go a long way. X100 on the good flaring tool. 

Dusterbd13-michael
Dusterbd13-michael MegaDork
1/11/20 7:37 a.m.

Yup. And I've never managed to kink nicopp lines. 

Mastercool was one of the best tools I've ever bought. 

GIRTHQUAKE
GIRTHQUAKE HalfDork
1/11/20 9:54 a.m.

In reply to Dusterbd13-michael :

What tools would ya'll recommend for brake lines?

P3PPY
P3PPY GRM+ Memberand SuperDork
3/31/24 11:45 a.m.

After many failed attempts with the rental tools this style is nearly fool-proof unless you tighten it down too much. I can even double flare on the car itself now. Also, nickel/copper lines

$40 tool

 

BTW, a quick google search of << site:grassrootsmotorsports.com brake flare >> reveals these discussions, too:

 

https://grassrootsmotorsports.com/forum/tech-tips/the-perfect-flare-every-time/178918/page1/

https://grassrootsmotorsports.com/forum/grm/novel-and-affordable-brake-like-flare-tool/180562/page1/

https://grassrootsmotorsports.com/forum/grm/brake-line-flaring-kit/238130/page1/

etc.

NOHOME
NOHOME MegaDork
3/31/24 12:56 p.m.

In reply to P3PPY :

That tool rocks.

The other took that comes in handy for the inevitable tight turn at the end of the line are brake line pliers

Daniel Wise
Daniel Wise GRM+ Memberand New Reader
3/31/24 4:37 p.m.

Great advice about being fussy and using good tooling.

Tube end prep:

Prepare the tube end before flaring.  The tube end after the cut has a big burr that almost closes the opening.  Use the deburring tool that usually is on the tube cutter to remove the metal and smooth the end of the tube to remove any burrs or tears.  Good to use fine sandpaper to finish smooth.  This prepares the end of the tube to flare properly.  I use a little oil on the tip of the flare tool to make it easier for the flare to form without causing the tube end to crack. 

Older English and Swedish (mostly Girling) cars use only the first step of the flare to make a "bubble flare".

Especially important for making AN 37degree single flares.  End prep process was taught to me by a Navy A&P mechanic.

j_tso
j_tso Dork
3/31/24 6:51 p.m.

+1 on prepping the tube, nickel-copper tubing, and that tool above.

I made my own brake lines last summer after pre-flared steel lines from the parts store wouldn't seal.

Ni-cu tubing in addition to being easier to bend also requires less torque to flare.

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