Is brake line flaring difficult?

[Paisano]

I have some experience installing brake lines. But I have never flared a brake line.
I plan to install an extra long brake line this spring, which will need to be flared.

I'm thinking about using the Auto Zone loaner tool for this.
But I heard that flaring doesn't go well unless you use a high quality tool, like the turret type one.
Any thoughts on this?

 

[Curious Hound]

I don’t have anything that fancy. But I get by alright. Get a few feet of extra line and practice. It’s cheap and almost fun. You might want to practice bending, also. Use a bender so you don’t kink the line.

 

[mr_manny]

Brake line flaring is not difficult.
That being said, I do find the process easier with a nice flaring tool.
HTH

 

[bobbywalter]

what size line?


the titan is the best one for the money.

Titan Tools Double Flaring Brake Line Tools, 45 Degree 1/4 & 3/16 | eBay

It makes SAE Double Flares, For use on steel, nickel, and copper tube, Designed to be used in the tightest of areas to repair a brake line, Handle can be removed and the head of the tool can be mounted in a bench vise so you can make several flares with ease, The handle can be removed.

www.ebay.com

great deal...

Summit Racing SUM-900318D Summit Racing™ On-Car Flaring Tools | Summit Racing

Free Shipping - Summit Racing™ On-Car Flaring Tools with qualifying orders of $109. Shop Flaring Tools at Summit Racing.

www.summitracing.com

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

I flared a lot of lines with the AZ loaner tool. Still have one. It’s definitely easier if you can clamp the clamp in a vice (why the one leg of the clamping bar is longer, so you can stick that in a vice), but you don’t have to. The real key is to make sure that your cuts are squared and de-burred. That’s the most important thing for any flare tool. I like a sharp tubing cutter and take my time cutting then use a de-burring tool.

Hydraulic flare tools aren’t super expensive anymore so possible. I’ve never used one of those yet, but I did buy a turret type a few years back. Expensive but worth it to me. I also bought the adapters to do AN line as well (37* flare instead of 45*).

 

[bobbywalter]

you cant beat that summit unit with a bag of sticks and a Louisville.