common brake fitting sizes

[91stranger]

So I'm tired of constantly buying 3-4' pieces of brake lines and fittings and what not whenever I have a leaking brake line. Found a 25' roll of copper/zinc line with 16 fittings for $15. I just don't know what size threads are on a ranger. Anyone know what size threads these are for a 3/16" brake line? the kit comes with qty 10 of 3/8"x24, qty 2 of 7/16" x 24, qty 2 of 1/2"x20 and qty 2 of 9/16"x18. I'd hate to buy a kit and not be able to use a single fitting.

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

I want to know too.

 

[Shran]

On the older trucks I believe the 3/8 fitting is common although there are some larger ones too in certain areas - at the master cylinder, ABS pump, and possibly a couple other places. I also want to say that there are metric fittings as well and they are more common on later model trucks.

It's very irritating. Best practice in my book is to try and reuse the fitting and replace just the line.

 

[sgtsandman]

When I redid the brake lines on the 1998, most of the fittings were easy enough to acquire at Advance Auto parts. The ones that threw me for a loop were the ones that connect the front section to the intermediate line that runs past the gas tank. I ended up reusing those when making new lines because no one had them. Thankfully, they were shielded enough that they were in decent shape and could be reused. Everything was replaced from the master cylinder or RABS module down to the wheels with the exception of the line that runs past the tank through the frame rail. I think Shran is right on the sizing but it has been 7-8 years since I did the job.

 

[91stranger]

I think the common ones are 3/8x24 but I figured someone on here would know all the sizes. I'm just getting the kit either way. $16 for 25' of copper/nickel lines and 15 fittings. Hard to beat that price considering its about $1/ft locally just for the lines. I live in the rust belt so the chances of being able to reuse a fitting is very slim but I will keep that in mind. I replaced the front lines 2 years ago and they still look good but I broke a line on my new rear end the other day when I was cutting the shock off.. Now I need to get a decent double flaring tool... Too many bad reviews from the harbor freight one, but I found one on ebay that is a complete kit for the same price as HF and this one comes with a small pipe cutter and a burr remover which the HF does not come with.

 

[Uncle Gump]

Shran is pretty much spot on. There are a couple bastard sizes that you just aren't going to pick up at Advanced Auto... and it can very well be a mixed bag of standard/metric sizes. I did several trucks that I flipped years ago... everyone needed all new lines. The common fittings (standard/metric) I used new. The bastard ones... I cut the lines with side cutters... used a 6 point socket to remove... then bench grinder to remove the remaining line and a punch with some lube to drive the line out of the nut. Clean them up and reuse the fittings.

Also with the mixed bag standard/metric... you will have a mix of line flares also. I would just buy a decent double flare and a bubble flare tool... read the directions carefully... and practice on a chunk of your new line.

My understanding is that the NiCopp line is easier to work with too. I've never used it... but the next time I have to replace lines... I'm going to try it out.

 

[Josh B]

I like the old tools. Thinking everybody used to have a flare tool in their box. That's why my first stop is usually a pawn shop or flea market.
They made good tools then too, every bit as good as today's top grade. I just took a look at graingers' list of flare tools and a hundred dollar bill wouldn't touch one of em

 

[91stranger]

I have a few of the presses for the flare tools but not an actual kit. I was always the cheap ass who bought compression fittings and brake lines and said it was for a derby car lol. I've heard great things about nickel/copper lines and I've played with a spare piece and it bends as easy as 10-2 wiring lol. I like the thought of having brake lines at home ready to go. Being in the rust belt seems like every year one or two of my vehicles needs a brake line replaced due to rust. That will be another benefit is they wont rust out like steel. I'm sure they still corrode but can't be as bad as steel.

 

[adsm08]

This is the last kit I bought:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07BMZ5FV2/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

So far there have been a few fittings that I haven't used any, and the only ones I have found that are used on a Ranger that aren't in it are the screwy ones used in the ABS module.

This is my preferred line flaring tool:

Amazon.com: Cal-Van Tools 165 Master Inline Flaring Kit - Double and Single Flares, Brake Flaring Tools. Professional Tool Kit: Automotive

Buy Cal-Van Tools 165 Master Inline Flaring Kit - Double and Single Flares, Brake Flaring Tools. Professional Tool Kit: Brake Flaring Tools - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases

www.amazon.com

It doesn't seem to grab real well into steel line, but I only use Ni-Copp and have no issues there.

 

[4.0blue98]

On the older trucks I believe the 3/8 fitting is common although there are some larger ones too in certain areas - at the master cylinder, ABS pump, and possibly a couple other places. I also want to say that there are metric fittings as well and they are more common on later model trucks.

It's very irritating. Best practice in my book is to try and reuse the fitting and replace just the line.

When redid the brake lines on the 1998, most of the fittings were easy enough to acquire at Advance Auto parts. The ones that threw me for a loop were the ones that connect the front section to the intermediate line that run past the gas tank. I ended up reusing those when making new lines because no one had them. Thankfully, they were shielded enough that they were in decent shape and could be reused.

^^^This. I couldn't reuse the metric bubble flair at the junction near the fuel filter so had to get a double to bubble adapter and used one of the 3/8 double flair fittings that came with the kit. Those fittings in the kit will do most of what you need.