I've watched at least 75 videos on brake lines, forming, double and bubble flares, etc. Quite a few have erroneous information. THIS video is complete and accurate, and contains information about little nuances that are found no where else. Well done!!
This is the best brake line instructional video on RU-vid. No doubt. One note: In the "rust belt states" gravel guards tend to hold road salt solutions and road silt making the lines rot very quickly. I would only use gravel guard on stainless or the copper/nickel lines. Thanks for making this video. It's a "Jim Dandy" for sure.
Jim, the video is one of the best brake line fitting break downs I’ve ever watched. You should update your video title to some how catch the attention of ALL viewers who are interested in brake lines repairs/replacements. Your title isn’t doing your knowledge sharing justice! Once again thank you for your amazing work.
i know Im randomly asking but does anyone know of a trick to get back into an Instagram account? I was stupid lost the login password. I would appreciate any help you can offer me
@Raiden Maurice thanks so much for your reply. I found the site through google and im trying it out atm. Looks like it's gonna take a while so I will reply here later with my results.
This is without a doubt the most comprehensive, informative, useful, thoughtful and interesting video on brake lines I've seen amonst the hundreds of other offerings on youtube. Thanks for posting. Anyone reading this; stop reading this comment and go watch the video instead
Brilliantly put together and explained, so many videos out there with mistakes and incorrect terminology, this one stands out. Thanks for taking the time and trouble to produce this, you will save many people lots of grief 👍
Thank you!!! working on a 97 firebird front to back brakelines. Your video the most helpful concise and informative. I went from confused - angry - despairing to informed and enlightened. Keep up the great work !!
This video should be viewed by all "do it yourselfers" who plan to replace brake lines. After I gave the make, model, and year of the vehicle I was working on, the local auto parts store sold me an inverted flare brake line instead of the bubble type I found after removing the corroded line from my vehicle. I didn't understand the difference before I viewed Jim's video, thanks Jim.
You were right I've been binging on breakline videos and your video was extremely informative on making the different type of flares and fittings. You give me confidence my friend. Thank you.
Jim Dandy! Thank you sir. The most comprehensive and complete brake fitting guide I've come across. Your insturcuction is beyond reproach. I've been searching the web for tutuorial just like this as I tackle, for the 1st time, a few rusted brake line junctions on a '01 4Runner. Not sure that I've ever commented on a video before but felt on the slim chance you might read this, a gracious thanks hurled your way through the digital ether might represent my gratitute. take care and keep up the good work!
Jim Dandy to the rescue, go Jim Dany, Go Jim Dandy! This video was extremely helpful for me to determine if I was going the right route for creating my own replacement brake line for an American/Japanese mix vehicle that appears to have M10x1.0 fittings on both ends, but one having the extended tip. You covered it all.
If I'd found (well YT search had recommended) this video sooner it would have saved me a whole bunch of time getting dribs and drabs of the story from other places. Thanks for putting this all together.
As you said at the beginning, there is a lot of other footages that show how to use the tools - I'm really happy you made this video and explain what those other clips were missing.
I just got done replacing about 4 feet of corroded line in my 98’ Acura Integra. Fingers crossed that this will do the trick and that I will be safe out on the road. I’ll be bleeding my lines next and then taking it out on a test run. Great video. Makes me feel confident that I did exactly what needed to be done.
Used a single flare on a hydro brake and air always gets in, I did so much research and no one else ever brought that up... Now I know how to fix my problem. Thank you.
Jim you could not have explained that any better, it is obvious from seeing other videos there are a lot of people out there who do not realize there are different flares for different fittings, thank you for your very helpful video.
Two things, 1. Old Land Rovers use a bubble flare, I have a 1967 2a, and had a heck of a time finding the correct fittings and information on the flare differences. 2. several people on RU-vid have directions for making a bubble flare with a double flare kit, they recommend using the die on the flat, not the countersunk side to get the flat surface you need. But I like you, bought the bubble flare kit, so I can be sure the flares are properly made. The reason all manufactures went to the bubble flare, is it is supposed to handle higher pressure with a wider safety margin. Also ISO European and Japanese bubble flare fittings are made differently, look closely before substituting.
So can i use a bubble flare as a male and mate it with a double flared end with a female nut? Some eurocars have this as standard but i can't find a video on how to make the different ends up.
man i watched this whole video and learned so much and finally solved he whole double/bubble flare , fittings, etc. Watched it a second time to subscribe and like the video and when you said I learned all this in the last... cpl days, I laughed so hard. Excellent video, as good as a professional instructional video and way cooler.
I just had to replace a hard line on the rear of my 92 Cavalier and it used a bubble flare on the two connections that I had to take apart. Good video.
Very nice video, especially for learning the process in just a few days. Happy to see you commented on using the proper flaring tool, the ISO/DIN bubble cannot be made properly using the SAE tool. Close, sure, not not correct and they often will leak. Not worth the risk.
I used an SAE tool to make DIN bubble flares because I couldn't wait for the proper tool to arrive. I wouldn't try it with steel but I think its okay because I was using nicopp with steel fittings. Good video, wish I watched before I needed new brake lines!
Great video! I've noticed OEM's have used a female flare nut with a male bubble nut rather than a union, this results in roughly half the chance for a leak! The female flare nuts are near impossible to find though. I agree if you need a bubble flare, definitely use the correct tool!
..I have a dragging brake piston and the steel line is corroded. I will have to replace everything. Didn't know about the single flare, double flare difference. This information is gold : )
A single flare is made by simply pushing a cone into a piece of tubing thus the wall thickness is the same as the tube wall thickness. Single flare is for low pressure line transmission lines. With a double flare you smash the tubing into a gig that rolls the tube into like a bubble, and then you push the cone into it which creates a double wall thickness. Double flare is a "must" for brakes, but some people get away with a single flare, but it's like not wearing seatbelts, it works until it doesn't and then it's bad. The bubble flare seems to be the most common now days. It requires a special gig (ISO metric bubble), but creates a double wall thickness like the double flare. You can fake a bubble flare with a standard double flare kit, but it's not the right way to do it. Double flare kits are in every autoparts store, but the bubble flare kits are harder to find. It should be the other way around now days, but .....
Very good video. I rebuilt automatic transmissions in the 1980s and I had a flare many times for automatic transmission coolant lines. At least at that time we ONLY did double flares on the transmission lines.
I turned my double flare jig to flat side and did only first step of double flaring, and I get the bubble flare profile and it works well.But thanks, very good information.
Great video! I've been researching youtube the last 2 wks and checking tools needed. My manuals don't identify which lines are brake, transmission cooler or gas lines. I haven't been able to find any good diagrams for 2003 Durango 4.7L so, I'll keep searching for that info. thanks for the video! ps. brake lines are easy to identity since they go to the brakes, same with transmission. the others... vapor/fuel lines and emissions lines I'll have to get down and dirty!
thank you!!! I laughed at the forgotten nut. I had a similar issue last night. Welded a clevis onto Master Cylinder rod, forgot the retaining plate. Then almost forgot the rubber boot.
You "can" use the double flaring tool to create an ISO flare by simply inserting & cinching the tubing backwards in the tool & using the appropriate die to perform only step one, using the the flat backside of the tool to create the matching flat backside of the flare, (remembering, of course to use the blue metric fitting). but for the easy price, I honestly recommend just getting both tools.
You know what sucks more than anything? Replacing Rusty brake lines! I just finished learning a lot myself and replaced the rear brake lines on my 98 corolla, what I learned is 100% only by copper brake lines and don't waste your money on one of them crappy flaring sets like you have, if you're going to buy one then get the handheld Titan ones. They only do one size of line but they are so awesome and 100% worth the $20 more than the cheap kits. The flaring tool I had says that the first die is for bubble flare and then use the second die for a inverted flare so at least the tool I got actually does say that the first step of a double flare is a bubble flare. One other thing to add is that bubble flares are mainly only on European cars, also bubble flares once tightened down are pretty much destroyed, you really are not supposed to reuse a bubble flare. Make a new bubble flare every time. Bubble flares suck.
especially useful video! when buying a used car the brake lines might have been redone before and no guarantee it has the same type of flare on each side
Very good video, thank you! It explained one main thing I wanted to know, but wasn't able to find info on: can a double flare kit "simulate" a bubble flare if you're in a pinch. Apparently it can. That being said, I'll still buy the proper kits for both. :)
That was a good Video, thanks! my 97 dakota has both SAE and ISO fittings (on same line!) and with the rust the 12mm hex is 11.5 mm rust removed 1/2 mm more or less. 10x1mm 12x1mm and any thing they had.. very disappointed with Dodge, and the brake line people that have the very thin Hex flats making rounding easy. All line are 3/16 but thread hex OD's are not, that's the last time I buy this product. You would think that brake lines should be the longest lasting system for safety.. Even Electric cars need them. But my 31" Baja tires out lasted both the engine oil pan and brake lines. Even the Transmission pan had a hole on the flange, both the pans bolts had to be replace due to improper protection. Here you need 32- 5/16NC 5/8" long of course non-standard in stainless locally or a 3/4 long with a 4mm thick SS washer (14) on Transmission pan. Then it's the same as OEM bolt length. a 30 sec job could be hours...
working on a 1995cihtractor. ordered a willfit mastercyclinder amazon. 2 fittings are 12mm bubble instead of 14mmbubble. ordered 12mm fittings for 1/4inch tube. this smaller fitting usually has 3/16 tubing. so i have it ordered and will puton fitting and reflare tubing. hopeful!!!
Great video. The internal design of the two different fittings was/is invaluable. In the video, you talk about the 'sort of' approach to using the flat side of a double flare tool for bubbles. I took a look at Amazon for bubble tools, and they all seem pretty pricey. What's the disadvantage of using the flat side for a bubble? If there was a $45ish non U-clamp 3/16" bubble tool (such as a bubble version of the Titan 51535), I'd be open, but... $75ish for a U-clamp bubble? Yeesh. Using the flat side of a free autozone rental is a heck of lot more appealing. But, of course, I don't want a poor connection.
Hey, great video! One question I still can’t find a definite answer is if DIN Bubble flares(on European cars) are reusable after torquing them down. For example I want to change my flexible fuel hose and it has bubble flare that calls for 25 Nm according to manual but how to inspect it if it’s good after unscrewing? And this hardline comes from tank and finishes in the engine compartment. Thanks!
There is also a better tool than the old U shaped . This clamps the line into a block with two 10 MM bolts and has a stop fitting to measure the length . Some have a removable handle that can be taken off in a tight spot and a 1" wrench used . Eastwood Tools , Titan Tools , Lisle , ATD , Cal Van Tools , Capri , etc. all have it . Available as a single size or kits with several sizes and also bubble flares . The single size runs $ 60.00 or LESS . Foolproof . It is also important to deburr lines after cutting .
