Brake Line Flare ?

cary · 10-14-2003, 09:22 AM

I just got word from PP that the short metal brake lines from the MC are NLA.
You can buy them from FLAPS, but them come in 8, 12, 20 +. Not always the correct length.
So the question is, what is the flare they use on the Metric lines called ( mushroom shaped ) ? And where would you get the correct tool ?

J P Stein · 10-14-2003, 10:28 AM

It's called a bubble flare. I have no idea where one would get a tool for doing them.....I suspect it's done by a machine.

I use those available from the FLAPS.......with a few extra bends thrown in to correct for length.....a small tube bender is a must.

Zeke · 10-14-2003, 10:53 AM

JP, it's not the typical double flare you can do with a flaring tool? I know the ends are metric, but on the shelf at the FLAPS, they look exactly like the SAE version to me. I dunno.......

cary · 10-14-2003, 11:06 AM

My FLAPS has both types of flares. Std. SAE and the mushroom one. Both in the metric tubing bins.

J P Stein · 11:44 AM

Here's a pic...I hope....of the 2. .......

The Std SAE double flare on the left & the bubble flare on the right.

J P Stein · 10-14-2003, 11:46 AM

The site (or I ) am having some "issues".
Sorry bout the quality of the pics. My camera refuses to focus on em' but you can make out the differences (barely).

Zeke · 10-14-2003, 06:10 PM

I had to bend up about five steel lines of various lengths, none of which were the real short lines off the M/C. I may have used the wrong lines, but no leaks.........yet. Thanks for the clarification JP.

cary · 10-14-2003, 08:26 PM

Thats them ..............try pulling back the camera. Let it focus then move in. Sometimes that works for me.
But I thought the flare on the fuel rails was called a bubble flare. The one to help the rubber hoses seal up.

J P Stein · 10-15-2003, 10:17 AM

Milt:
There is a coresponding angle on the seat of the female fitting for each type fitting.
Using the "double flare" risks damaging the seat......but if yours don't leak, don't mess with them.

Cary:
Terminology is a b!tch. I think it varies FLAPS to FLAPS, city to city, county to county....yada. At my house, they're bubble flares.....but I'll use "mushrooms" if that suits ya

. I'll try the camera trick, also. Can't hurt..........

roadtrp204 · roadtrp204's Garage

Do a search on google, keywords: metric bubble flare tool.

Several came up but the cheapest I saw was still around $161.

The imperial eastman model.

ace007 · 10-15-2003, 04:39 PM

Check out eastwoodcompany.com on page 52 of there catalog there is a flaring tool for $60.00 that is fro an ISO flare.

cary · 10-16-2003, 11:10 AM

Ace.. I saw that. That one does look like a bubble. The OE ones look like a mushroom.
They call it an ISO flare.

I need to examine the end of the flare nut to see if the bubble has a place to seat in the flare nut.

sammyg2 · 10-16-2003, 11:21 AM

Ow, Jp that pic hurt my eyes ;(

cary · 01-29-2004, 07:39 AM

ISO is the bubble flare. And it only comes in a metric tool form what I've seen.
So far the Eastwood one seems to be the best value for the DIY'r.
So its on my list.

AJS · 01-29-2004, 09:03 AM

I assume the threads on the fittings are metric, and differ from the SAE. Does anyone know the thread size and pitch? Also, for those that have replaced their entire brake line system, where did you source the parts? And finally, if I install an adjustable brake proportioning valve like Wilwood, how do you couple the metric lines to it since it uses 1/8 NPT ports?

Andy

mike_the_man · 01-30-2004, 10:47 AM

I had a new short line made for my car by a local brake shop. It cost about $10 , and they matched it to the original that I gave them. If you can't find the right length, that might be an option.