How to safely repair leaking and rusted brake lines 

In answer to a bunch of the statements below...not everyone has the money to run out and buy new brake lines. Or maybe you need to get your vehicle back up and running quickly until you have time to do the whole replacement. Thats my situation. No time. I need my brakes to work NOW to get to work! New brake line kits are ordered and on the way. Until I have the time to do the job, they will sit in the box.

I've watched a number of videos on repairing brake lines now, and yours is the only one I finished. Outstanding! Now I'm ready to fix my brakes. Thank you!

watched a lot of videos on here as a novice,yours is the only 1 that shows how the copper union works,i was thinking it worked another way!,thanks again.

Nickel-Copper (NiCop) brake lines. Best stuff ever. Bend by hand, no kinks, double flares beautifully. More expensive but eliminates all frustration. Worth it.

This is just the information I needed to tackle my burst brake line at my front passenger side of my Dakota. Appreciate the clear close-ups on the flaring details such as setting the line height in the anvil part the same as the thickest part of the die. thanks again.

Glad to see someone using the proper procedure for brake lines . I've had many arguments with people that have no idea what their doing using single flare, especially with aluminum lines used on small aircraft

Thank you so much for this. This made it super easy to understand the steps and proper way to fix a small section. I’m going to do this since the previous owner used a compression fitting, and like you said, when jamming the brakes hard, it made it leak. Appreciate your time in making this video!

Flares are better than compression rings. Always. Once you have the tool, it's just a matter of discipline to do the flares and that pays off after the first repair. Thanks for showing this so clearly!!

This is exactly what I was looking for, thank you! My old truck is rusted from stem to stern underneath, and I blew a brake line bleeding the brakes after installing new pads, rotors and calipers. For $75 I got a full set of pre-bent brake lines, but some of them are too long, or bent in such a way you'd have to take out the gas tank, take out the radiator, remove front end parts- take the body off the frame almost to get these pre-bent lines in where I need them. Instead, I can cut the really oddly shaped ones in 2 pieces, slide them in from both ends and splice them in the middle. I don't want to use compression fittings for the reasons mentioned in the video, so yeah- this is exactly the tutorial I was looking for. Thanks!

Thanks so much for an excellent tutorial video. I watched the video 3 times so I could remember the exact steps. It's not so complicated now after watching your video. Thumbs up!

Good video, you answered all my questions , I have a old truck and lost a line. Neighbor let me use his flare kit , had no idea how to use it. Plus the fact that you mentioned not to use compression fittings , which I use at work all the time . So Thank you for the video

The best video on this subject on youtube. Thanks man.

I have owned severl older vehicles with steel brake lines and live in the salt belt. Over the years, I learned that you should always have ample brake line parts (e.g. brake lines, fittings and tools) on hand at all times. Also, replace as much of the leaky brake line(s) as possible when doing a brake line job. Take it from someone who has done dozens of brake line repair jobs over the past 50 years.

This is the most excellent video about how to repair brake lines in the right & safe way ,well done thank you very much

I've watched a lot of videos on this subject and yours was the best. Nicely filmed, stayed on topic and clearly explained what to do.

I've looked and studied your video. thank you very much for the information you have provided to some of us who have been in need of this type of information.

excellent explanation of the topic at hand, including last but not least the critical distinctions between the two couplers... thank you for explaining these things and posting this video

Wow One the best instructional videos I've Every Seen on You tube! . Excellent!!!!! take a bow.. even answered my question about the compression fittings and why that shouldn't be used for this application!!! Excellent thank you very much!

Excellent video I have learned a lot from this and will try this my self now. Thank you so much.

Going above and beyond in your explanation after around minute 7 got you a thumbs up from me. Great vid!

You explained it so well! And you saved me money! back to work:) Thanks!

very good demo of making brake line joins, thank you.

perfect explanation, introduction , demonstration just keep going pal!

An excellent presentation using a non technical approach. Very clear explanation for each step and why the step is necessary..

Outstanding video, thanks for taking the time to show us how its done

Thank you so much for this impressive explanation on fixing brake lines

This video was spot on. You explained so clear Thank you

I really appreciate your thorough explanation of every detail involved. Particularly the information about the different type of fitting at the end, because in relation to my situation it let me know whether or not I can use the compression fitting on the job I'm doing. I'm fixing a leak in my fuel line and I wasn’t sure about the fitting that was supplied with my repair kit. I'm pretty sure it'll be ok since it's not under as high of pressure as a break line is. Anyway, thank you for your helpful video.

exactly what i needed. clear concise on point. this made my day.

thankyou that anwsered the question i had about the different connectors i know which ones ill be buying now thanks again pal

excellent video. Very clear explanation and lighting for visual repair work on line.

I just replaced 2 lines on our old cavalier....On one I had to buy 2 pcs and tie together so I asked for a proper union. They brought me two compression fittings, which was nuts as the lines had 2 threaded ends and would have had to cut to use...to get a poor splice. Gotta love Advance Auto.....

Really is an excellent straight to the point tutorial.Anyone can do this with a little patience.And yes compression fittings are a BIG no-no....but if you have to,they will work temporarily in a pinch.And I mean temporary....be ready to pull the e brake when braking if you have a compression fitting being used temporary to get you home..

I know the video is 5 years old but great info, thanks for making it.

Very informative thank you! I replaced the steel brake lines in my Silverado with the more flexible nickel copper lines, came in a kit so no flaring, but one of the lines got a hole cooked into it from the exhaust manifold(my dumb error) so now I need to cut out the bad section and perform the same procedure you did in the video. I appreciate the level of detail you took.

Nice job! I definitely appreciate your interesting and informative video. Thank you sir!

Excellent video. Very clear & concise 👍🏻👍🏻 Thanks

Thank you. Very good video. Clear. Comprehensive. Easy to follow. Not too wordy. Made sure you pointed out the pros and cons of the two types of fittings. I wish other's would make videos like yours. 👍

Stellar video.Very good explanations, thank you so much.

Excellant Video,,,I've done many Break jobs just to many to count,,,I think you can use any thing that works,,,If you take your time with patience you don't need to worry about safety.

Came to learn and I did THANK you Disc brakes, ABS, all good reasons not to use compression. They have higher pressures.

Awesome video...well explained....much appreciate the advice at the end. Good Job!

I’ll give you thumbs up 👍🏼 every second of your video!!!! Thanks for sharing your knowledge!!!!

A great tutorial on brake line repair, I have been doing auto repair in New England for almost 50 years so have lots of experience with rusty brake lines. I would like to add use the copper/nichol brake tubing for replacement as it doesn't rust, is easier to cut and flare and very easy to bend by hand. I by it by the 25' roll so replace whole line instead or patching sections.

Great job! I would ony add that after deburring the inside of the line, tap it on a block of wood to dislodge any chips that may have dropped into the line.

Very precise explanation and a very helpful video. Thank you very much.

Thanks a lot, I needed this video today! Fixed my brakes, I cut off the pin hole area and re-flared the line. It works!

Overall this was a great video for a emergency situation however l didn't know compression fitting might come off--that part was very helpful to me...thanks

Best explanation ive seen so far. Nice Job!

Nice job. Very concise and informative. Thank you 👍

Nice job, very professional and nice explanation. thank you.

Excellent explanation and videography. Thank you.

Well explained and made video. Thank you.

Great video ESPECIALLY the warning about compression fittings and the danger of using them.

Excellent explanations. Thank you.

verry good explanation, and most important you said what is the issue with compression fitting, thanks and keep up good job, you'v got a new subscriber 😉

Best video on this subject on RU-vid.

Outstanding video sir. I had to repair my 2004 Nissan Quest because the brake line rusted out just before the fitting that plugs into the flex hose going to the caliper. Replacing that whole line was not an option because it is behind everything including the intake manifold as it heads to the ABS unit on the passenger side. The line was in perfect condition inside the engine compartment, so using your guide, and a 20 dollar flaring kit from Amazon, I was able to replace a mere foot of line and I'm back on the road for a pittance. Thank you!

Great video , now i understand the double flare. Thanks!

Excellent video! Very well explained!

WOW.. so clear and precise. Finally I'm confident I can do this job. Thank you so much!!!

Just bought a car that had a compression fitting that failed. Gonna try a union fitting instead so I can get by before replacing all the lines. Thanks for sharing.

Great video and very detailed Thank you very much!!

Great instruction video! Thank you!

Great info, thank you for posting this! 👍

Love your detailed demonstration 👍

Excellent video. Thanks very much!

Thanks you did a great job explaining, your a hero! 💪🏽💯

Excellent. Thank you!

Very well explained. Thank you.

Thank you for explaining steps by steps on how to do a brake lines union ,And recommended a unio instead a compression fitting for high psi on the lines

Thanx, great video!!

Great video. U show and explain very clearly. Thanks.

Thankyou very much for your video you made this whole process simple and easy so now I can do what I need to do

Compression fittings are still in use and sold in auto stores. I've used them many times over the yrs and never had one come apart. I agree the double flare is better, but under the car is harder to maneuver. Thanks for sharing .

Great video , thanks for sharing .

Very informative. Thank you

Thank you for sharing your video it's a great help.

Excellent video. Really good info and detailed.

Excellent video. Thanks.

Awesome video man thanks for the help.

Compression fittings on brake lines are actually not legal in some parts of the world.

awesome! My brake line went on me tonight less than a week before a major trip. Funny enough, I just had to replace the ABS module a few months ago and I assumed at first that it was the module that went bad again, until I saw a trail of brake fluid in the parking space I backed out of. I probably should just replace all the brake lines, but this is the length of job that will keep me going until then.

A nice explanation of the difference between the acceptable Union coupler and the non-acceptable compression coupler. I find this is so misunderstood, even by some mechanics.

Wow just save me a headache & gave me an idea, in my case on my Evo x ayc rear diff. metal line, it's better to repaired this way. Going try this and fix the pin hole leak. Thanks for the video

Thanks, best photography, made it clear

Got it. Great detailed info. Thank you

Exelent video and easy to follow. Good job!!!

Really great video. Very intuitive.

Very good video, thanks.

Thank you very much for your awesome video

Nice video in every respect especially when you look at some of the other brake line repair videos by other people. Cheers.

excellent video, well done

Great job. I learned a lot in ten minutes

😢 I really enjoyed your video. I think it was everything I needed to know. Hope your doing well

Great video and advice !

Very good demo!

This is an excellent description of technique, and I really like the way you had a go at why compression fittings are inappropriate for brake lines. Of course compression fittings are used all the time for water installations, but there are illegal for brake fittings for good reason. Part of the reason they are illegal is because they could be easily assembled incorrectly, with no early warning until it suddenly fails. If that ferrule is installed too close to the tip of the line on one side, it may not grip the line as well as it would normally. So, those who claim that a properly installed compression fitting works fine have some justification for that point of view. The problem is that it would be much easier to make a mistake, especially in a situation where the operator cuts the line a little too short and he is in a hurry to complete the task under the car. If the tip of each line is not properly jammed into each end of the fitting, or if it creeps back while it is being tightened down, the ferrule is incorrectly installed but it looks just fine from the outside. If he forgets to crank down one side, it may seem to work fine until the ferrule creeps back with time. A tech could do a thousand of those fittings and if one side of one fitting is bad, he's made a mistake that could cost a life. With no way to detect incorrect installation, the customer is left with a car that is a danger to others on the road when it suddenly fails. On the other hand a bad union will immediately leak, pointing to the need to fix it right away. Even influential internet 'experts' like Scotty Kilmer get this wrong, you can't trust everything you read on the net.

thanks very much for the info.

Great video, thanks.