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Posted by John Waak [64.219.20.244] on Monday, September 06, 2010 at 11:06:48 :
In Reply to: Brake line tubing trouble posted by John S [71.253.16.172] on Monday, September 06, 2010 at 10:32:03 :
I have lost sleep over brake line flares! It sounds like you are doing it right, but let's go over the basics again. I assume your line is regular brake line steel, not stainless. I also assume you are using a flaring tool that is not deforming the line in the process of flaring it.
1. Cut the tubing square. If your cutting blade is sharp, the cutter will give you a more square cut than a hacksaw. Keep the cutter moving in one direction, rather than a back and forth direction which may increase hardening of the line. Also, I apply a drop of cutting oil to the line to reduce friction between the cutting blade and line, and lessen the chances of hardening. Check the finished cut to make sure the line is still round, and that the tubing is in fact concentric.
2. Chamfer the outside edge of the newly cut line to an approximate 45 degree bevel. A picture of a nicely prepared line can be seen here: http://store.fedhillusa.com/tooldirections.aspx
3. Lightly bore the inside diameter of the pipe. You are just trying to remove burrs that could break off and contaminate the brake system, and to remove any slight ridge imposed on the inside of the line from the cutting process.
4. Blow out any debris from the line. I also blow the pipe out with brake cleaner in order to remove any oil.
5. Carefully set up your brake flaring tool. I put a drop of oil where the flaring dies and cone meet the brake line. Again, I am trying to reduce friction.
6. Practice with your tool in order to learn how much tension to apply to the line. In my situation I apply moderately hard pressure in the first flare, but soft pressure in the double flare. The soft double flare allows the line to be conformed by the nut. In other words, don't mash the heck out of it.
6. Remove the finished flare from the tool. Clean away any oil and metal fragments. Clean is your friend.
7. Practice, practice, practice. Flaring is half mechanical process, half art.
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