Hey all,
As you may know from my previous posts, I am trying to wrap up a front disc swap and had to run a few new brake lines. I bought a flare tool like this one... There were none of the attachmetns or whatever they are called included with the kit. I flared the lines in several places with this tool and thought I had decent flares.


Now I realize that this did not give me a true double flare. I went and bought another kit with the attachments.
Its a kit like this:


SO my question is, should I go back and RE-flare the ones I did with the first tool?? And if so, is there a way that I can simply do another flare with the attachment or do I need to cut and completely re-flare the lines? Even though it's a PITA, I will do it if it is a serious safety issue...

It would really only be a total of 7 flares that would need to be redone. I am SO anxious to be done with this project but the thought of smashing into someone on the freeway just makes me cringe. ya dig?

Opinions welcome... Thanks!!!

 

Yes, you will have to redo them. You can't get to a double flare from a single because the first step folds the line in and the second step flares it outward.

 

If you didn't have the little dies when you flared the first go around, then I would definately redo it. How did they even seal up correctly? Usually, you will flare it once with the die, then again with out the die making a "double flare". there are good steps on how to do it on the net if you search "how to flare brake lines". I have been going through this same process and going through a lot of extra brake line.[:@] But it is coming along, slowly. Just make sure each flare is correct, it will save a lot of grief later when you bleed the system. Poorly flared lines will not seat correctly and could leak fluid and or suck in air. It is a nerve wracking process the first time at it. Good luck and take your time.

 

yes you need to double flare them and when you cut them use a hacksaw. if you use one of those little spinny cutters (not sure what their name is) it hardens the metal around the edge and its impossible to get it to flare twice.

 

Interesting comment Connor-I've never had a problem using a tubing cutter to cut the line and then double flaring it, butI have a Snap-On flaring tool.

 

Thanks for the words of encouragement, zmetal.
I was just out there redoing several of the flares. It's not working out very well.
****.

 

You will most likely have to cut the bad flare off and reflare using a fresh cut tip. I used the tubing cutter too, then I take a razor blade and ream the inside and sometimes I have to file the end a little to remove any burrs. Then the flares come out good. Just remember, there is more brake line available if needed. I know that sucks, but it may take several tries to get it right. I totally abandoned the idea of using the pre-bent lines, they were not even close. But I have a modded brake system. I thought they would have been close enough to adjust here and there but they were not. So I am bending and flaring all of my lines myself. I have to redo the lines from the master cylinder to the prop block, run a line to the right front, a line to the rear, and then a line from the rear dist. block to each rear rotor. Basically after an entire Saturday, I was able to mount the prop block, and successfully run one line to the left front. Wow, such progress. My brake line scrap pile is growing. So I feel your pain, hang in there.

 

well thats probably because you have quality tools haha...we just loan the tools out from autozone. me and my uncle spent about an hour trying to get a double flare in a brake line but we couldnt, ended up taking it to a machine shop and thats what they told us.

 

Cutting a brake line with a hack saw is a hack job. Use a tubing cutter and then debur the inside until the die goes down in the tube. A hack saw on a brake line for gosh sakes! You can end up with splitting of the line if you use a hack saw, especially if you are single flaring. One note, the amount that the line sticks out of the clamp is critical when double flaring. It should stick out of the clamp the same thickness as the die. You will notice that the different size dies are different thicknesses for that purpose.

 

HMM that makes me a little nervous because when I did mine I only did single flares... However I have been driving the car for a few thousand miles and they have not leaked. So I think I will just leave em till they do