How do I bend brake lines withot braking them. I know there is a tool but is there a way without the special tool?
Aside from just being really really really really careful, I don't know a way to bend tubing without some kind of radius to push against it. $10 at Auto Zone http://www.autozone.com/servlet/UiBroker?UseCase=C001&UserAction=performMoreDetail&Parameters=TRUE%7C%7ESpecialty+%28Tools%29%7C%7ENONE%7C%7EGreat+Neck++++++++++++++++++++++++++Tubing+Bender%7C%7ENONE%7C%7EFALSE%7C%7EFALSE%7C%7E48587%7C%7E2004%7C%7E27013%7C%7ENONE%7C%7E%2410.00%7C%7ENONE%7C%7ENONE%7C%7ENONE%7C%7ENONE%7C%7E0.65%7C%7ENONE%7C%7EB%7C%7EGRN%7C%7Etrue
Thanks, I will pick one up today. Is there a way to cut out a broken piece of line and splice a new piece in. I am replacing both the rear lines that I broke when replacinc rear cylinders but the one that goes fro the rear to the master cylinder hasa hole near the rear. I hate to have to replace that entire line. Any thought s would be helpful.
hhhhhmmmm.... I'm trying to think of any easy way to go about doing that. You might as well buy a double flare tool kit while you're there. If they don't have one, sears or equivalent does. Then buy a line union or combination of brass fittings that could work similar to what is on this page. http://shop.easternmarine.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=catalog.catalog&categoryID=156 I think you can find at least some of that at the autozone or a hardware store. Good luck! It might be easier to run a whole new line though. I've never done this kind of repair, so you're blazing new territory for me! I've only replaced tubing before.
Splicing the brake line isnt a big deal, aslong as you have a good cutter, and double flare kit. cut out the bad, flare the ends ( make shure you have the fittings on first) and use a flare union to put it back together. AZones around here have no hardware, O'Reilly is the place to go (if you have them)
Lisle Has A Nice One You Can Make Sharp Bends I Dont Have The Part No But I Do Have One Sorry For Poor Info THE PART#IS 44000 IT IS VERY EASY TO USE A LOT EASYER THAN THAT OTHER ONE
I just bent all mine by hand. The key to doing it is not bending it in just one place. Bend a little, move up about a quarter inch, bend a little more, move up a quarter inch, bend more, and keep repeating till you get the bend how you want it. Just take your time. Spliceing is relatively easy. Don't waste your money on a cheap double flareing tool, get a good one and follow the instructions that come with it. Get a couple of unions and 4 matching threaded ends for the brake lines and get to it. Advance Auto Parts has a good selection of brake line, unions and stuff like that.
Actually if you fill the line with sand it will bend without kinking. BUT......you definately gotta clean it good when your done. Not worth it in my opinion. The tool is much better.
define "broken line". if damaged by a rock, etc, then fine if rest of line looks fairly new. if rusted, etc, then replace the whole piece. if rusted at all internally, then its difficult to flange it properly and you'll probably be doing another section of it soon, anyway. brake fluid attracts water, and often the line is rusting internally. often its just plain easier to replace the entire section, than to trying to do double flares on line still in the car. just my .02
If it's only a slight bend, you can do it carefully by hand. Otherwise, a tubing bender is what you need...
Just did this with my Mav! My rear break lines and wheel cylinders were rusted beyond. Had to cut the lines just to remove the wheel cylinders. I used several sizes of deep sockets, depending on the sharpness of the bend needed, clamped firmly in my vice as a brace to bend the line over. Worked great but took me about 3 hours to do both sides! Hardest part was trying to duplicate the bends and shape as close as possible to the factory line and then cutting the line to the right length so they would fit right and not leak! Got-r-done though!:bananaman
FYI.....some state inpections (most) won't allow the brass compression unions in any part of the brake system.
Well not really that important just as long as you clear any obstructions like the shocks and shackle bolts. I just followed the original lines just as a point of reference.
