Results 1 to 10 of 10

Thread: Brake lines

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Aug 2008
    Location
    Australia
    Posts
    611
    My Cars
    BMW Z3

    Brake lines

    has anyone on here managed to redo there own bubble flares on existing brake lines. Reason I say existing is I have a spare brake line I been playing around with and i can't seem to get the flare rite, I can however on new brake lines

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Apr 2015
    Location
    Tennessee
    Posts
    1,734
    My Cars
    1998 BMW 328i
    Yes it's possible. I have done it and I'm sure others have also. I cut a few inches off the existing line and reflared it using a flaring tool. Several years still going strong. I did wrap the threads with some teflon tape just in case.

    Originally I ordered a replacement metal brake line from bmw. But it ended up taking 3-4 months to ship from Germany. So i fixed it as described above. The new metal line is still sitting in my garage just in case.

    Sent from my SM-G975U using Tapatalk
    Last edited by XnWarden; 12-04-2019 at 05:30 PM.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Aug 2008
    Location
    Australia
    Posts
    611
    My Cars
    BMW Z3
    Thanks mate I'll keep trying

  4. #4
    Join Date
    May 2002
    Location
    SW Florida
    Posts
    12,681
    My Cars
    99-01 M Cpe & Rdts, X5M
    Quote Originally Posted by Sr20Tz3 View Post
    Thanks mate I'll keep trying
    Proper tube prep, and tool use is key; perfectly square cut ends, de-burr inside/outside of tube, proper tube setback (use gauge supplied with flare set). Make sure the clamp/flare tool stays "square" on the fixture, and work slow.

    Oh, don't forget to put the threaded fitting on first, and correctly oriented ...

    http://spcarsplus.com/piwigo/_data/i...MG_3102-me.jpg

    http://spcarsplus.com/piwigo/_data/i...MG_3103-me.jpg

    http://spcarsplus.com/piwigo/_data/i...MG_3104-me.jpg

    http://spcarsplus.com/piwigo/_data/i...MG_3106-me.jpg

    http://spcarsplus.com/piwigo/_data/i...MG_3109-me.jpg

    http://spcarsplus.com/piwigo/_data/i...MG_3110-me.jpg
    Last edited by Randy Forbes; 09-26-2020 at 09:16 AM.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Sep 2003
    Location
    Bolton
    Posts
    636
    My Cars
    98' Z3M, 02' 911 C4S
    Old thread but curious about the flaring process you performed - I'm considering this on both fuel and brakes as I convert my car to track use and want to get rid of some of the softer lines that won't be needed and can be replaced with hard line and reduce the number of connections. I recently tried to bubble flare a 3/16" brake line of stainless steel and rather than flaring, it simply collapsed the tip sideways. Have you found flaring stainless tubing requires different flaring tools than a stock steel line?

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Jun 2019
    Location
    The Shire
    Posts
    23
    My Cars
    1999 328IS M-sport Coupe
    Quote Originally Posted by modifiede30 View Post
    Old thread but curious about the flaring process you performed - I'm considering this on both fuel and brakes as I convert my car to track use and want to get rid of some of the softer lines that won't be needed and can be replaced with hard line and reduce the number of connections. I recently tried to bubble flare a 3/16" brake line of stainless steel and rather than flaring, it simply collapsed the tip sideways. Have you found flaring stainless tubing requires different flaring tools than a stock steel line?
    I just ran into a similar issue doing all stainless lines on a 51' Chevy. I used a Mastercool kit which really is no different than the standard bar style.I found that going slow, lubing flare tools liberally with brake fluid, and not bottoming out the tool yielded the best results although I still had a few I had to flare twice to get right. The nickle/copper line is so much nicer to flare and work with as long as it starts straight.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Nov 2013
    Location
    VA
    Posts
    1,156
    My Cars
    E36
    If doing it on the car, use this tool. The tool is smaller, has good clamping force on the brake line, and easier to use than most.





  8. #8
    Join Date
    Sep 2003
    Location
    Bolton
    Posts
    636
    My Cars
    98' Z3M, 02' 911 C4S
    I ended up using a hydraulic type flare tool since I couldn't get others to work on stainless lines. Worked great and love being able to now rerun lines easily. Bending hard lines is another story - my lines sometimes look like a kids scribbling so have had a couple mis-steps in the process but in the end, very happy with the results.

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Sep 2002
    Location
    USA
    Posts
    45,770
    My Cars
    BMWs
    Quote Originally Posted by Sr20Tz3 View Post
    has anyone on here managed to redo there own bubble flares on existing brake lines. Reason I say existing is I have a spare brake line I been playing around with and i can't seem to get the flare rite, I can however on new brake lines
    This has nothing to do with FI, but, yes, its a bitch.

    If you can't get it going, ditch it - get a bubble flared line and do double flare with a union.

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Sep 2003
    Location
    Bolton
    Posts
    636
    My Cars
    98' Z3M, 02' 911 C4S
    Quote Originally Posted by 5mall5nail5 View Post
    This has nothing to do with FI, but, yes, its a bitch.

    If you can't get it going, ditch it - get a bubble flared line and do double flare with a union.
    With a hydraulic flare tool the bubble flares aren't that bad. I used this brand/model and I've been doing double flares and bubble flares on stainless without much of a challenge. Not the same store I used but its the same tool (although I had to buy an extra set of flares for 37 degree since it came with 45. I am using both, so it wasn't a big deal.

    https://www.jbtools.com/mastercool-7...BoCnXYQAvD_BwE

Similar Threads

  1. Anyone Use Techna-Fit SS brake lines?
    By bblars in forum General BMW and Automotive Discussion sponsored by Intercity Lines
    Replies: 0
    Last Post: 11-13-2001, 10:55 AM
  2. Braided Stainless Steel Brake lines..Should I buy???
    By Bernanke in forum 1992 - 1999 M3 (E36)
    Replies: 18
    Last Post: 11-11-2001, 09:53 PM
  3. Changing Brake lines?
    By C///M3 in forum 1992 - 1999 M3 (E36)
    Replies: 8
    Last Post: 10-10-2001, 12:51 AM
  4. Replacing Brake Lines on M3
    By Mark C. in forum 1992 - 1999 M3 (E36)
    Replies: 6
    Last Post: 05-18-2001, 04:47 PM
  5. Suggestions Front & Rear Pads/Rotors/Brake Lines/Fluid
    By Mark C. in forum 1992 - 1999 M3 (E36)
    Replies: 5
    Last Post: 04-10-2001, 09:05 PM

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •