splicing leaking brake line

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birdieracing

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while doing a install of a new shifter i hit the brake line on accident!
and now the line is leaking can i splice the line or do i have to replace
the hole thing
 
Make sure it's a double flare not single. Single flare only on non high pressure lines. Never Never Never use single flare on brake lines.
 
actually never use a single flare on steel line, only on stainless steel line. why? regular steel line has a seam that will split if only single flared and SS line does not have a seam and can be single flared. also, unless your flare tool is designed for SS line, don't flare it! you will break your tool. sorry 64 dartwagon, but you cannot run a single flare for non high pressure lines, a flared line is a flared line. it just depends on SS or regular steel. it is ok to have single flared SS brake lines since it has no seam and wont split.
 
redfastback said:
sorry 64 dartwagon, but you cannot run a single flare for non high pressure lines, a flared line is a flared line. it just depends on SS or regular steel. it is ok to have single flared SS brake lines since it has no seam and wont split.
Click to expand...

Single flares have been used in non-high pressure for years. In saying this I am referring to other things not just brake lines. As I treat a brake system as a life saving device. And I would suggest practicing outside the car on a piece or two before going under, the biggest help for double flaring is to completely remove the bur from the tube cutter. And I use brake fluid as a lube for the inverting button so it doesn't hang up and break the button.
 
sorry but never heard of single flaring a regular steel line. i have seen a lot of splits on single flare lines, fuel and brake. it has a seam that will split, at least all the ones i use, even from a roll. i agree with you about double flare on a brake line. when you cut and flare a fuel line(low pressure), do you only single flare?
 
I use braided lines and fittings. There are other applications, like copper tube, brass tube, and aluminum. Some of these are brittle and cannot handle a double flare.
 
well since this is automotive, i have never used copper or brass tube. braided lines use AN fittings that are a 37* not 45* and are put together not flared. i use them as well. I would not use aluminum myself, but that is a personal preference.

but all in all, this thread started asking how to fix the broken line. yes, if you can remove it from the car, that would be best. if not, get someone to help you so you do it once and do it right.
 
Your other option that eliminates the need for flaring altogether is to use a compression union.

Don't use the low pressure type you get at the hardware store only the high pressure ones that you can pick up at an industrial supply store. These fittings in the 1/8" typical brake line size are rated for up to 10,000 psi much much higher than 1500-2000 psi you generate in a brake system.

I have been using these type of compression fittings for 20+ years and have never had a leak or failure.
 
Yes those work great but do not say whats it for or they might not sell it to you. I even use those hardware store ones 20 years ago and it work just fine but yeah get the better ones. I only had the car for a year till it went to the junk yard. They are easy to use, make a clean cut and put the nut on then slip the fitting on, should fit perfect, not loose. Thats what I would use, but I wasn't going to say it. Heck, it works fine why its a big no no ,not sure. Watch, someday the new car makers will start using it and it be ok then. Just like plastic fuel tanks and lines.
 
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