DIY brake lines?

[Nightstick]

Is it worth the trouble to make my own brake lines?

When I got the turd it had no lines coming off the MC. Those lines alone are $45 and the whole hard line kit is $169 from WH. The lines on my other rig are in better shape (except the lines off the MC, which are toast), and can be used at least as a temporary fix, but either way I'll be replacing at least one set of lines soon, and eventually both.

Here's the questions... Can I buy the lines, fittings, and tools to bend and flare the lines for any cheaper than buying the sets? What kind of store would I go to purchase such items?

 

[NGABronco]

Hey Nightstick, that $169 is for SS, you can get steel for about $130 (JBG).

DIY = All fittings will require a double flare & DF Tool and that is a pita with steel and bigger pita with SS. Most parts stores have various lenghts with the fittings and flares on them. You can also buy coils of the brake line. There is about 2-3 flexible lines you'll need too.

I've only done 2 EB's and bought the steel kits???%)%)%)

Good luck!!

 

[badmuttstang]

if you have all the tools just lines and fitting should cost about $30 I did mine for right around that but I did this for a living spend the money on a good flare tool and buy some line and just start practicing good skill to learn and with practice and patience you can bend the line with out a bender takes a lot of practice to due with out kinking it

 

[Nightstick]

Hey Nightstick, that $169 is for SS, you can get steel for about $130 (JBG).

DIY = All fittings will require a double flare & DF Tool and that is a pita with steel and bigger pita with SS. Most parts stores have various lenghts with the fittings and flares on them. You can also buy coils of the brake line. There is about 2-3 flexible lines you'll need too.

I've only done 2 EB's and bought the steel kits???%)%)%)

Good luck!!

You make a good point that I'm not running a business, so I won't be doing it day in and day out, I'm just looking for a way to save a few bucks. I'm sure the 2 I have won't be the last ones I ever do (don't tell my wife that). The flex lines from the other rig are still good and I'm gonna use those on the one I'm just trying to get on the road now.

I suppose I could also use the flare tool if I wanted to make my own fuel lines.

 

[tortuga]

Flare tool is nice to have on the trail too.

 

[Nightstick]

Here's one, is this a decent tool? My brother works for Amazon so I can get a discount there.

 

[prosys1]

You may be able to purchase pre-made lines in the approx length you need, then just bent them....IMO
Most decent auto parts places have pre-made lines.

 

[badmuttstang]

that kit will do fine and like you said it is nice to have for fuelines as well plus it is nice to have on the trails for emergency look around Amazon for a bender as well look for one that does 180deg bends steel line is pretty cheap and like I said just practices a little before you make the ones you will use dont foget a tubeing cutter hacksaw and the like leave burrs

 

[barronj]

I've used the rented tool from Autozone & I just couldn't get it right. I tried & tried, but it would end up slightly off center, enough that it wouldn't work like it should.

For the lines from the MC down to the H-block, I bought a straight piece from the parts stores & bent them myself w/ the tubing bender. Along with all the other fabrication required w/ the hydroboost install, this one was the cheapest. I also did the lower hard lines on the front axle this way. I need to get around to doing the rear.

 

[badmuttstang]

You may be able to purchase pre-made lines in the approx length you need, then just bent them....IMO
Most decent auto parts places have pre-made lines.

most due but the fitting usually requirer adapters plus some times you need a line that is in the middle as far as length

 

[pcf_mark]

I did mine a month or so ago with parts store line with end on it. I also converted to disc brakes so I needed adaptors at the m/c. Other than the two at m/c I had one union under the drivers floor. Took me longer to bend the pretty ones going from the m/c to the h-block than to do the whole rig!

Tip - if/when you go to bend the line for the rear that goes over the round part of the diff your brake drum makes the perfect "mandrel"!

Tip 2 - if you bend your own you can relocate the rubber line points to place the extend lower so you do not need extended rubber lines with a small lift.

Tip 3 - bend your lines with a piece of this wire (8 - 10 gauge) first so you have a prototype you can screw up on without wasting any steel lines.

 

[prosys1]

most due but the fitting usually requirer adapters plus some times you need a line that is in the middle as far as length

What I've done it the past is to use bailing wire to fab what I need, then straighten it out to find the length. If you have to buy something a little longer, add a full loop or some extra bends....
Plus having something already bent up to use as a pattern realy helps.

 

[bigjhoov]

You can get a flairing tool at Harbor Freight, Oreilly's, Autozone, etc...the cheap ones work. It's all in the prep work.

Hard line and fittings can be had at the same places, minus HF. It's not really hard to do, just takes a little time and patience. I personally don't use a bender. I can ususally achieve the desired bent over a 1" piece of tube. Give it a shot.

 

[ransil]

I have made my own buy twice as much as you need you will screw it up.
last time I bought the SS one from JBB I will be buying my next set, just a lot easier and they fit and look good.

 

[Nightstick]

Thanks for the tips! I think I might try it myself. The worst that could happen is I screw it up and have to buy the premade ones.

 

[prosys1]

You may try a little heat to assist the forming of the flares. Make sure you don't get it too hot. Red metal is too hot. Maybe a propane torch....

 

[youngbronco]

I just redid my whole brake system. I used the bendable brakeline, it is a nickel alloy so its supposed to never rust. I needed 20 feet to do my rig, it comes in 25 feet coils for $80, a little higher than regular steel line, but its so easy to work with! You can pick up a double fliring tool from harbor freight, its not great but will get the job done. I learned to do the first flare in two stages, it seemed to turn out better that way.

 

[Pa PITT]

I used to sell auto parts for years I say just go to your local parts store and buy closed to the length you need. Then bend it like you need it. I bend mine over a piece of pipe or some other item round to get the bend I need. They also make union that will put 2 lines together. Go for it. I wouldn't think you should be out 30 bucks unless your your after prefection.

 

[NGABronco]

Hey nightstick, here's the HF unit. Take a 20% off coupon and ya' got a deal.

http://www.harborfreight.com/double-tube-flaring-tool-kit-66534.html

Advance sells the bending tool for $10 -$20, depending on what ya' want. You're gonna have to make 14-18 double flares (not counting the times you forget to put the fitting on%)%)%))

Good luck!!!!

 

[bigjhoov]

You may try a little heat to assist the forming of the flares. Make sure you don't get it too hot. Red metal is too hot. Maybe a propane torch....

No, I wouldn't do this. Not necessary.