Who has bent thier own brake lines?

[jimmydean]

I just installed the GMC Pauls kit and my hard lines are in sad shape. When I monted the power master cylinder I got off a Suburban, I just tugged on the lines to make them fit. It looks real ghetto (sort of matches the rest of the truck), so I thought maybe I should just replace them with all new lines.

I noticed GMC Paul's has a kit, but it's like $155. I was wondering if anyone has bought some hard line and just bent to fit? I did it for my VW years ago, but it was a lot less involved than the truck.

If you've done it, do you know what length lines you got?

[truckdude239]

umm i tried and i failed at doing it lack of skill the kit gmcpaul sells is maded by inlinetube who i orderd my kit from directy www.inlinetube.com. fits like a dream a few minor adjustments for 155 buxs it was worth it and saved alot fo time by the way the people at inlinetube are great and i will order from thyem again

[LTBurkD]

I've done it several times on both brake and fuel lines.
A couple things I would recommend.
1. Take your time.
2. Mock up what you want your line to look like and how you want to to route with a piece of mechanics wire, or a coat hanger or something before you start bending the 'real deal' tubing.
3. Absolutely have the right tools for the flaring ends. Brake line fittings are double flared and are at a different angle then fuel, A/C, etc. Or you can go to the parts house and by sections of line in different lengths with the correct diameter and fittings already installed.
4. Make sure you have enough room before the first bend for installing the fittings and for using the flaring tools.
5. Use a tube bending tool. There are other techniques and they work . . . but this tool is great to keep from crimping a line after you already have some times in its fabrication.
6. If the line will be exposed to road debris . . . put gravel shield on it. If it would have had this from the factory . . . it needs it now.

Hope .02 cents helps.

Dave

[396muncie]

I bought the straight lines(very cheap) with the fittings already on them from the parts store for very cheap. The left front on my 72 4x4 went perfect. The left rear didn't turn out as well. It's funtional, but not pretty. The problem was there was no in between size of the brake lines. One would've been too short and the one we used was a bit long so it has a few extra bends in it. Used a small handheld tube bender and went really slow as not to kink it. Good luck.

[cdowns]

i've just bought a 25' of tubing and a whloe lot of fittings// the coathanger trick works well and just bent and flared them up// once you get the knack of flareing it will go quickly// just do a dozen or so practice flares b-4 doing them for real

[Jahloha]

Originally Posted by cdowns

i've just bought a 25' of tubing and a whloe lot of fittings// the coathanger trick works well and just bent and flared them up// once you get the knack of flareing it will go quickly// just do a dozen or so practice flares b-4 doing them for real

cdowns:

This is an old thread, but do you remember where did you bought your tubing?

[71SWBChevy]

My dad did his own for his 99 silverado which was alot more involved than these trucks, he just bought a cheaper bender and flaring tool and went to town, looked really good when he finished. The only thing that would be a problem is that none of the local stores stocked anything longer than 4 or 5 ft can't remember which. It wasn't a big deal on the 99 since the section that rusted through had to be removed and replaced in 2 sections unless you wanted to pull the whole cab off.

[396muncie]

Originally Posted by 71SWBChevy

My dad did his own for his 99 silverado which was alot more involved than these trucks, he just bought a cheaper bender and flaring tool and went to town, looked really good when he finished. The only thing that would be a problem is that none of the local stores stocked anything longer than 4 or 5 ft can't remember which. It wasn't a big deal on the 99 since the section that rusted through had to be removed and replaced in 2 sections unless you wanted to pull the whole cab off.

Wow, a 99 is rusting through already I'm lucky my 72's lines are only going now, I guess.

[jimmydean]

Thanks for the help all! I can borrow a flaring tool because I helped do the fuel lines on a friends rig and he has the tool.

I was going to just buy the basic lines with the ends installed if I can get away with it. I might not do it at all right now, but I might if it pisses me off any more.

I would like to buy just the set for the front, Ii will check the link and see if I can.

[trkklr77]

ive never bent full lines till now and it wasnt hard to do, i only ruined 1 peice. i just bought a hand full of the 1/4 and 5/16 5' lines and let the fiitting land where they may and kept going on.

do not use the bender that is just a single handle with a catch on the other side, it wont let you be acurate, you can only do that radious of bens and its big, and you cant get bends close together. i got a bender that was a pair of pliers with a replacable guide wheel, it is too tight to do 3/8" though.

i spent $50 and a day and did the front lines and half the rear main that i needed. i did run to lines to the front and i used a 75 prop valve.

[jaros44sr]

I did my front lines on the Jimmy, wasn't bad. I went to the parts store and bought ones that were long enough, used the old ones for a template. If they are to long just cut it to lenght and reflare, don't forget to put the fitting on first. been there done that! A good flaring tool helps alot

[396muncie]

Oh yeah, just remembered, make sure the ends stay at the ends if you know what I mean. If you allow one of the threaded ends to slide down the line and you make a bend, you won't be able to slide the end back because whoops, it won't slide past the bend. So you either have to unbend the line or new line time. Can you tell I've made that mistake before

[sneakysnake]

Keep in mind brakes use a double flare so dont just run down to home depot and expect to do your lines. but the cheaper benders will work.I recomend using made up lines and bending them to your application.

[Fastfun]

I bent my own when I installed my rear disc brakes. I used lengths that I purchased at NAPA and cut one end if it was to long and did the double flare on that end. I was able to get the double flare tool from Autozone by putting down a deposit and when you return the tool they refund your deposit. I had the tube bender, just take your time and it is not hard.

[trkklr77]

that is the best type of bender but it is a one size tool, youll have to get more for the other sizes.

i have a nearly identical flare kite and its addaqute but not a trouble free time saver by any means but it will make solid double flares.

[Billla]

Originally Posted by jimmydean

If you've done it, do you know what length lines you got?

I would rather do dental surgery. On myself. With Home Depot tools.

I spent 3 months putting in all new hydraulic lines in an aircraft and swore I'd never bend another tube. I haven't quite kept to that...but IMHO it ain't worth it with all the pre-bent tubes out there.

[BowTieOgre]

Im about to find out the hard way myself if it is worth it to bend them. I got 160' of 4 different sizes of line for a good price and im going to get a bending/flaring kit from Jegs tomorrow. I WILL be revisiting this thread!

[trkklr77]

it is way way way easier if you have every thing out of the way like the motor, tranny and any uneccessary body panels and crossmembers.

[In The Ten Ring]

Last weekend I bought a Craftsman single and double flaring kit, a Rigid tube cutter with reamer, and a heavy duty bender (ebay).

NAPA carries a pipe called "Poly Armour" that is supposed to be 30x more corrosion resistant than OEM steel tube and so easy to bend you can do it by hand. Pretty cheap too in 25' lengths.

I intend to use it to replace my fuel lines but it's supposed to be good for brake lines too. Great vids on youtube man.

See my thread on "making own fuel lines" or whatever it was from last week.

[Grumpy old man]

when a new pre bent ready to install kit costs $155.00 why bother ? surely your time and effort is worth something and taking a day to bend brake or fuel line is time better spent elsewhere .

[BlackedOut67shorty]

Id rather make my own for a fraction of the cost. Plus its a nice skill to have under your belt like welding, painting, bodywork ect..

[Tx Firefighter]

Originally Posted by BlackedOut67shorty

Id rather make my own for a fraction of the cost. Plus its a nice skill to have under your belt like welding, painting, bodywork ect..

Another skill in the tool box of life. I agree fully. Save money and improve your skills at the same time.

[Jahloha]

Originally Posted by In The Ten Ring

Last weekend I bought a Craftsman single and double flaring kit, a Rigid tube cutter with reamer, and a heavy duty bender (ebay).

NAPA carries a pipe called "Poly Armour" that is supposed to be 30x more corrosion resistant than OEM steel tube and so easy to bend you can do it by hand. Pretty cheap too in 25' lengths.

I intend to use it to replace my fuel lines but it's supposed to be good for brake lines too. Great vids on youtube man.

See my thread on "making own fuel lines" or whatever it was from last week.

Good insight. I found your post and it helped for sure. Installing new lines is still bit out for my project, but like planning now.

Originally Posted by Grumpy old man

when a new pre bent ready to install kit costs $155.00 why bother ? surely your time and effort is worth something and taking a day to bend brake or fuel line is time better spent elsewhere .

Thats always the question, is it worth my time? I would say it is because I hope to be able to say I did it all, once this project is completed. Or at least have the knowledge on how its done (machining, for example).

Originally Posted by 54belair

I have done that. I have also bought different lengths of premade (straight) tubing. takes some measuring and some planning---but its not rocket science--just takes time and a plan.

Originally Posted by Tx Firefighter

Another skill in the tool box of life. I agree fully. Save money and improve your skills at the same time.

I agree 54 and Tx, just have a plan and learn a skill. I assume thats one of the main reasons a lot of us get into these trucks, outside of nostalgia sake, its to prove to ourselves we can do it.

[Grumpy old man]

I agree everyone should learn any skill that is available to them and maybe it was the business side of me thinking cost pre made vs costs for materials and labor costs to produce a quality part .many people can build an entire project but at what cost ? If you spend $50.000.00 materials and labor to build a $25,000.00 truck that's a time consuming expensive hobby isn't it ?? Let me tell you from experience there were many weekends I spent working on a custom piece for a customer I now wish I spent with my kids at the park !

[In The Ten Ring]

Originally Posted by Grumpy old man

when a new pre bent ready to install kit costs $155.00 why bother ? surely your time and effort is worth something and taking a day to bend brake or fuel line is time better spent elsewhere .

Time is indeed valuable, especially with my schedule. However, it's always better to learn how to do things oneself. I credit TXFirefighter for helping me realize that applied to my truck also.