Tools for Brake Line Replacement

[neoOberon]

I'm looking at replacing brake lines on my 2nd car in a few months; what tools do I need exactly?

I was thinking either Eastwood or a traditional flaring tool. The Eastwood looks super simple, but pricey compared to a more traditional flaring tool. Opinions?

A set of flare nut wrenches; was leaning towards SK, but am open for more economical options.

What else do I need? I need tools to bend/straighten the tubing, just don't what to get.

Thx

 

[theoldwizard1]

First, start with the RIGHT tubing ! You want NiCopp (nickel-copper) brake line. It costs more, but it is MUCH easier to bend without kinking, even by hand, and easier to flare.

I am not an expert in this area, but you can have my "traditional" flare tool. Never made a good one with it (on steel lines) !!

The Eastwood tool is great, but is almost impossible to use ON THE VEHICLE ! There is also the MasterCool hydraulic flare kit. Even more expensive, but it can make some other types of flares (line for quick connects on fuel line).

The Cal-Van Tools 165 Master Inline Flaring Kit has gotten MOSTLY positive reviews. A few people who have had problems with it have gotten replacement pieces from the company.

The last one is the Eastwood 31244 "on car" brake flare tool. I have not read many reviews on this, but I think it was originally invented in EU.


FYI : Almost all of these tools are sold under various labels at various prices. Shop around.

 

[wafrederick]

The Mastercool flaring tool is the way to go in the vehicle.Flare nut wrenches used on the fittings.Don't cheap out on the flare nut wrenches,the cheap flare nut wrenches tend to spread out.The Nicopp is overpriced,like the green coat line better.Go with the 25 foot line,less connections that leak and don't even think about using the compression fittings.I cringe when seeing them on brake lines and they get replaced redoing the person's hack up.

 

[md21722]

I bought NiCop on Amazon for a reasonable price. It does bend easy. I also used the Mastercool flaring tool. I bought a double flare union at Auto Zone. The Mastercool can be used on the car, its not especially convenient but it can be done. The Eastwood is a workbench tool. If you want nice bends where needed buy a bending tool from Eastwood, Bluepoint, or equivalent.

 

[sberry]

Get a pair of 6r and 10r vise grips, a few pieces of line and a couple unions. A simple Kalvan type or ATD works for me on the occasion I have to make something. I like ready mades from the jobber, so many lengths and any cheap bender for something I couldn't do by hand.
You have to buy the extra bits for doubles but the rigid flare tool was about 30 from HD and it really worked well. A trade guy working in a brake shop needs all that **** but for diy trying to save a buck its really as easy to do it with the basics.

 

[theoldwizard1]

I bought NiCop on Amazon for a reasonable price. It does bend easy.

25 Ft. of 3/16" (4.75 mm) Copper Nickel Brake Line with Fittings - Amazon $37

Might be expensive, but it is so easy to work with.

 

[454ragtop]

Awesome reasonably priced bender http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=283964&highlight=bender

 

[hotdogstand]

You can buy a multi-size bender, a double-flare tool, and flare wrenches all for under a hundred, and maybe under $50, from Sears, HF, or pretty much any auto parts store. I have a HF flare tool (from my gramps when he died) and a bender I bought at Advance when I worked there years ago. I also have a set of craftsman flare but wrenches and a metric ampro (replaced by gearwrench at AAP). I don't use it every day, but they have survived nearly 10 years and half a dozen moves just fine.

 

[Empty Pockets]

Let me echo what has already been said. NiCop line is a far better choice, as it's easier to work with. If you live in the north where road salt is commonly used, the salt eats brake lines. We bought a used SUV for my wife, when gas prices went crazy, after the 1st brake line rusted through in a parking lot, the car was towed home, and all lines were replaced with NiCop.

Also, DON'T EVEN THINK of using compression fittings, in my state, that is an automatic failure when having a state inspection.

Also, please update your profile, so that we can give better information, based on your location.

As always, buy the best tools that you can afford

 

[anodyne33]

I used a cheapo $20(or so) flare tool to do a whole Jeep YJ and did all the bends by hand using nickel copper tube.

I did practice a bunch of flares first. I had maybe one or two that I had to re-cut and start over. It was my first tube flaring experience. Patience and a heavy vise for the flaring tool were handy.

 

[crewchief888]

i picked up a cheap double flare tool at autozone, and did the brake lines on my sierra with ni-cop tubing.


since the brake lines are already bad, cut them off close to the fitting, and use a 6pt socket to remove them.

it's easier than dealing with the frustration of crappy line wrenches.