Up ] Engine How To's ] Reliability Mods ] RX-7 Notes ] RX-7 Glossary ] Modification Pros & Cons ] My RX-7 ] Brake - Big Brake Install ] Brake Line Replacement ] Brake Proportioning Valve Install ] Brake 929 Master Cylinder Install ] [ Brake Line Flaring ] Brake Bleeding ] Brake Master Cylinder Bleeding ] Shocks & Springs Install ] Antiroll Bar Bushing Upgrade ] Gauge Install ] Short Shifter ] Antenna Replacement ] Turbo Timer Install ] Racing Harness Install ] Racing Seat Install ] Hand Grip Repair ] Raise Rear View Mirror ] Fog Light Install ] Daytime Running Lights ] Safety Wire ] Polish Aluminum ] Repair Door Lock ] Trailer and Hitch ] Buy a Used RX-7 ] Other How To's ] More Hints and How Tos ]

How to double-flare a brake line

By Rob Robinette

If you have to cut a brake line you will have to double-flare it to connect it to a flare pipe fitting. You'll need a pipe cutter ($7 Home Depot) and a double-flare tool ($40 Pep Boys).
Put the pipe cutter on the brake line where you want to cut it. You may have to release one end of the line to allow you to gently bend it up enough to get the pipe cutter on and spin it around. Gently tighten the knob on the cutter and then spin the cutter around the pipe about three times and then tighten the knob a little more and repeat then repeat these steps until the line breaks in two.
The stock RX-7 brake lines have a protective black plastic coating that will have to be removed before the flare nut will slip over the line. You will need to remove about 1 1/4 inches of the coating on each tube end so you will be able to slide on the flare nut far enough to allow the pipe flare tool to grip the pipe. After you cut off the coating you will have to use sandpaper to remove the thick green paint and adhesive that's below the black coating. Once you can slide the flare nut on the tube enough to get the flare tool clamp on you're golden.
pipe_cutter.jpg (15024 bytes)

Using pipe cutter to remove metric flare nut

Follow the directions to use the double-flare tool. You will need to smooth out the outer edge of the pipe with a file and use a deburring tool (or a large drill bit) to smooth out the inside edge of the pipe.
flare1.jpg (15476 bytes)

Double-flare tool with pipe clamped, ready to flare (note both flare nuts are in place on pipe)

REMEMBER TO PUT THE FLARE NUT ON THE PIPE BEFORE YOU FLARE IT OR YOU WILL HAVE TO CUT OFF YOUR NICE NEW FLARE AND START OVER! Put the flare tool's pipe clamp on using its 3/16 inch hole, expose the required amount of pipe, clamp it down, attach the 3/16 inch adapter, screw it down on the pipe while watching the pipe to make sure it doesn't slide out of the clamp, back out the clamp and remove the adapter, then finish the double-flare by screwing down the flare tool into the pipe. It's easier than it sounds, just follow the directions that come with the tool. Repeat for the other brake line end. If you screw up the brake line you can buy pre-fabricated 3/16 inch brake lines of various lengths at an auto parts store, you just have to bend them to fit.  They are pre-flared and have the metric or standard flare nuts already installed.
flare2.jpg (21156 bytes)

Making the first part of the double-flare with the adapter

Blow some WD-40 or other solvent through your short line and then blow compressed air through the line to dry it out. Push the brake pedal a little to flush some brake fluid through the line coming from the master cylinder-this must be done to remove any debris that got into the line during cutting, sanding and flaring.
flare3.jpg (14614 bytes)

Making the second part of the double-flare without the adapter

Warning
You must torque the brake line nuts to 113-190 inch pounds! (about 10-15 foot pounds) If you don't you run the risk of having a nut come lose and dump all of your brake pressure which will result in total brake loss! (The parking brake may still work)
master_cylinder3.jpg (8248 bytes)

The finished brake pipe with flares at both ends (for the 929 master cylinder install)

After you get it installed you'll need to bleed the brakes. See the Bleed Brakes how to.
Rob Robinette

 Home ] Up ] Engine How To's ] Reliability Mods ] RX-7 Notes ] RX-7 Glossary ] Modification Pros & Cons ] My RX-7 ] Brake - Big Brake Install ] Brake Line Replacement ] Brake Proportioning Valve Install ] Brake 929 Master Cylinder Install ] [ Brake Line Flaring ] Brake Bleeding ] Brake Master Cylinder Bleeding ] Shocks & Springs Install ] Antiroll Bar Bushing Upgrade ] Gauge Install ] Short Shifter ] Antenna Replacement ] Turbo Timer Install ] Racing Harness Install ] Racing Seat Install ] Hand Grip Repair ] Raise Rear View Mirror ] Fog Light Install ] Daytime Running Lights ] Safety Wire ] Polish Aluminum ] Repair Door Lock ] Trailer and Hitch ] Buy a Used RX-7 ] Other How To's ] More Hints and How Tos ]