Brake line fitting solution

[ctaylor738]

Working on 250SL that needs subframe mounts replaced.  In the course of disconnecting the brake lines, I found that the fittings at the end of the steel lines running from the master cylinder to the rubber hoses were completely rounded off.  After an overnight soak with PB Blaster, I was able to get them off with vise grips, but the fittings obviously needed to be replaced.  The standard fix for this is to get a steel line with fittings and bend it to the contours of the old line.  The problems with this finding lines that will fit.  The lines from Mercedes are a 123 part number, and are too long.  Other lines with fittings come in 2” increments which will result in an inexact fit.  And it’s very difficult to match the bends, especially for the line that runs across the firewall.

So my solution was to use a cutting wheel on a Dremel tool to cut the flare off the line which allowed the rounded-off fitting to be removed.  I put a new fitting on the line, and re-flared the end.  This reduced the length of the lines by about 7 mm, but with a minor adjustment to some of the bends, it was easy to re-connect them.

Here are illustrations for the flaring tool and the fittings.

http://jbtoolsales.com/k-tool-70085-iso-flaring-tool-set-heavy-duty-with-4-75mm-6mm-8mm-and-10mm-adapters-in-case-made-in-u-s-a/?gclid=Cj0KEQiAhvujBRDUpomG5cq_mI0BEiQA7TYq-sIbG8aVexjeqeI6PqLfQYMjRrwFWOw6SxJcbH_QIiIaAhGV8P8HAQ


https://www.belmetric.com/ble10x10bf475-cohline-brake-end-p-1107.html?cPath=17_564_1107_1108

Another way to do it would be to buy some bulk tubing and cut it to get an exact length.

https://www.belmetric.com/bl47515-coiled-brake-line-p-5850.html?cPath=17_633_1065

Cheers,

[wwheeler]

That's a good solution and thanks for the links!

If you can wait a bit, there are at least a couple of companies in the U.S. that will custom bend tubing from either stainless or steel. I had a complete set of fuel and brake lines done on my W111 coupe out of stainless. I sent my old lines in and the fit was perfect. The stainless fittings are a bit softer than steel and I used a tiny bit of antiseize on the threads.

Another option again if you can wait. 

[stickandrudderman]

Cutting brake lines with a dremel is a no-no; the swarf will get into the line. Buy a pipe cutter; they are very cheap and better still buy a pipe flaring kit (maybe a used one from ebay) and some pipe and make your own new ones to the correct length and shape. The only issue is getting pipe that is coated in the correct colour. I have recently heard that here in the UK you can buy this from Ford dealers!

[ja17]

Yes I have been making metal brake lines as needed for years.  There are some new tools on the market. One "Blue Point" Brand set-up sold by Snap-On uses a small hydraulic flaring tool which makes the metric bobble flare much easier. It is a bit pricy but well worth it if you do lots of this............

http://www.ebay.com/sch/sis.html?_nkw=BLUE-POINT-TF700-UNIVERSAL-HYDRAULIC-FLARING-TOOL-SET-

Yes a small tubing cutter works well to cut the lines.  The new copper/nickel alloy brake line material is great. It is much easier to form and will not corrode like the steel brake lines. I have a whole assortment of different brake tubing bending tools to help form nice even smooth bends. Bending tools, cutters etc..............
https://images.search.yahoo.com/yhs/search;_ylt=A0LEVu9Q8IBUWS4A3CUPxQt.?p=small+brake+tubing+cutter&fr=ymyy-t-999&fr2=piv-web&hspart=att&hsimp=yhs-att_001&type=att_pc_my_portal

[ctaylor738]

Good point.

Didn't use a cutter because I wanted to preserve the length of the line.  I did flush the lines out after cutting with brake cleaner.  I should have included that in my post.  

[Naj ✝︎]

The bee's knees for dealing with rounded off brake pipe nuts:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Laser-5233-Brake-Ratchet-Wrench/dp/B005K02JEU/ref=sr_1_4?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1417956671&sr=1-4&keywords=Ratchet+Flare+Nut+Wrench

Naj

[dseretakis]

I've used your cut off flare, slip on new fitting and re-flare approach. Worked like a charm on a '73 220D.