Brake line woes (Update)

[1-ton]

I just got finished welding on new shock mounts onto my 14-Bolt, in order to mount my new Bilstiens on my 10" lifted truck. All I had left to do was slide on my new line fittings, double flare my steel brake line ends, and bleed the system. I had to remove the brake lines, in order to weld on the shock mounts. I found out I have Metric brake lines on my 1991 V3500 crew cab, and my double flairing tube kit is ASE. None of the bubble flare fittings in my kit where the correct size for my Metric brake lines. No one in town has a Metric tube flairing kit so I had to order one from Amazon. This will take several days. I have a few days off from work, and I wanted to do some some wheeling while the weather is nice right now, but here I sit with my rig down until I can get the correct tool to fix my rig...dammmm.

 

[Wes Harden]

Confused double flair or bubble ?
Old vw used bubble. I got my metric bubble flair from a tool truck. Matco iirc.

 

[1-ton]

Confused double flair or bubble ?
Old vw used bubble. I got my metric bubble flair from a tool truck. Matco iirc.

Double flair. The fittings in my tube flair kit bubble flair it first, then the cone shaped clamp presses the bubble flair into a double flair. It was the ASE size fittings in my flair kit that could not properly bubble flair it first so I could use the cone shaped clamp to make a proper double flair that would seal without leaking.

 

[swettysblazer]

Is the line metric or the fitting? You can get metric fittings that fit 3/16 or 1/4 line from any parts store.

 

[Wes Harden]

Got it. Yeah I haven't noticed but I have several double flair kits, just try till I get a good fit

 

[1-ton]

Is the line metric or the fitting? You can get metric fittings that fit 3/16 or 1/4 line from any parts store.

The line is Metric. My 3/16 bubble flair fitting was too small. All it did was flatten the end of the line, and the 1/4 was too big. The 1/4 fittings giude pin was too big to fit into the tube end, even after giving it a good reaming that the tube cutter has. I looked all over town for a metric double flair kit, but nobody has one. I found ASE double flair kits, but no metric so I had to order one from Amazon.

 

[swettysblazer]

The line is Metric. My 3/16 bubble flair fitting was too small. All it did was flatten the end of the line, and the 1/4 was too big. The 1/4 fittings giude pin was too big to fit into the tube end, even after giving it a good reaming that the tube cutter has. I looked all over town for a metric double flair kit, but nobody has one. I found ASE double flair kits, but no metric so I had to order one from Amazon.

That's interesting. I didn't knwow these trucks had metric brake lines. I would have run a standard line with the metric fitting, but I see why you would wanna keep it as is.

 

[1-ton]

That's interesting. I didn't knwow these trucks had metric brake lines. I would have run a standard line with the metric fitting, but I see why you would wanna keep it as is.

My truck is a 1991 V3500. I think this truck is a bit of an odball, and GM just grabbed what ever parts where in the parts bin as it was coming down the assembly line.

 

[AJs72K5]

What size are the fittings for the soft lines and the splitter? If you're already having to flare the lines, why not just grab some 3/16" line and bend up new lines from the splitter at the pumpkin to the soft lines?

 

[1-ton]

Finally got the brake lines fixed. I took about a week and a half for the Metric flare set to arrive, and then another week to get the free time to work on it. The 5-mm adapter allowed me to properly bubble flare the brake line so I could complete double flare process. It is amazing what having the right tool can do to make a job easier.

 

[1-ton]

I also installed a new rear brake line. I bought a stock one from the auto parts store, and then took it to a hydraulic hose store. I told them to extend the rubber part of the hose 10" more. I needed a longer hose because of the 10" lift on my truck.