brake line size.

[54bobby]

ok guys, my 87 4x4 2.5 long bed sprung a leek in the brake line that runs from the small metal block that is attached to the rear axle on the drivers side and runs across, up and over the pumpkin and into the passenger side wheel cylinder. is this line available as a direct fit part ? if so #???. if not what is the size both length and diameter? posting this for my non mechanically inclined son who's doing the work but i need to get the part. he came home from auto zone with the wrong size. 

[Eagle]

Brake hard lines are generally not available as pre-fit, even for current production. The size is 3/16-inch. Length -- take a tape measure out there and measure it. You'll have to buy one that's a few inches too long, cut off one end to the correct length, and double flare it.

[Rockfrog]

Yep, what he said ... I had to reply back my whole rear circuit about a year ago when it all crumbled to dust. Tried to use as many standard lengths as possible to make future replacements easier (less custom lengths and extra flaring ... Call me lazy). It was either that, or bulk coils and a crap ton of time with the faring kit (that's a big nope for this putz).

 

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[Eagle]

If you can find a stock length that's just a little too long, you can get by with that -- but it doesn't look good. And you want to be sure there isn't so much excess that it hangs down and can get caught on something. Just be sure you don't get a piece that's too short -- 6 inches too long will work, but a half inch too short won't work.

 

Don't try to make tight bends freehand -- more than likely the line will kink, after which you can throw it away. Use something as a mandrel to make the bends.

 

x

 

I found this on Amazon. I've had two of them (a large and a small) in my toolbox for decades.

[54bobby]

thanks guys. i'll post up later on the progress

[Gene]

 or bulk coils and a crap ton of time with the faring kit (that's a big nope for this putz).

 

 

Hi everyone,

 

Not sure why there is such sentiment against double flaring. I am fair-to-middlin', at best, with my mechanical skills, and I have no problem with it. About 10 years ago I bought a decent double flare tool at Sears, about $60 if I recall correctly, and have used it on several of our vehicles. After a few practice double flares, it is really not hard at all.

 

Two advantages to this. First, as noted in this thread, you can make up brake lines to the exact length needed.

 

Second, (not MJ) if you have a long line with one bad spot, you can cut the line to remove the bad section, double flare and splice it, leaving the rest in place.

 

My daughters 97 Subaru Impreza has 2 lines that goes from under the hood, snake through the passenger compartment to under the back seat, then pass through the floor there to the rear wheels. They were quite rusty after they left the cabin. I cut and double flared under the seat, and ran new lines back to the rear wheels.

 

I can't imagine how hard it would have been to replace the entire line.

 

Finally, if you have a vehicle with bubble flare, not double flare (our old 2000 Dodge Caravan) you can buy premade bubble flare lines, cut them and double flare one end to double flare, and work with that. The Caravan had a crazy stainless flex section on the rear line that would rust out. You could cut that out and save most of the rear line.

 

Gene

[Eagle]

I agree that there's no magic or mystery to the double flare. But ... the key is a GOOD double flare tool. The cheap ones just don't work, and not everyone is willing to shell out $60 or $100 for a tool they hope to use only once. I don't know if the parts stores lend out double flare tools, but that might be worth looking into. Whatever you do, DON'T buy a cheap flaring tool and think "It'll be good enough for one little job."

 

It won't.

 

Handle the size adapter carefully. There's a 3/16 flare adapter still hiding in the engine bay of my '88 Cherokee, somewhere -- I did that brake job at least ten years ago. It took awhile, but I was finally able to source a replacement for just the adapter, without having to buy the entire tool and set, so I'm back in business.

[Gene]

 not everyone is willing to shell out $60 or $100 for a tool they hope to use only once

Good point, Eagle. Perhaps it depends on how many vehicles you have, or how old they are, or how bad your winters are. I put my double flare tool in the "can't live without it" category. I might only use it once every few years, but when I need it, I need it!

 

Gene

[Eagle]

Historically, I've needed mine on average maybe once every four or five years. However, Connecticut is now using that liquid "auto eater" salt solution, and that REALLY eats up brake lines. My 2000 XJ 5-speed came within 50 bucks of being totalled this past winter because a front brake line popped. I'll be replacing with Cunifer line, which is supposed to be more resistant to corrosion. With three XJs and three MJs (not counting the hulks), I expect to be using the flaring tools a lot more over the next few years.

[Gene]

 However, Connecticut is now using that liquid "auto eater" salt solution, and that REALLY eats up brake lines.

Unfortunately, that's not all that it eats up. I think it was a major factor in the frame rot in my Comanche. I'm shocked by how quickly it deteriorated over the past two years, which were not even particularly bad winters.

 

http://comancheclub.com/topic/53126-will-my-comanche-break-in-half/

 

So, yeah, I think you'll be getting lots of use from the double flare tool!

 

Gene