Redoing brakes lines--should I replace the bubble flares?
Thread Starter
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 14
From: Pennsylvania
Redoing brakes lines--should I replace the bubble flares?
I'm in the midst of replacing my brake lines. 2002 MC SS 3.8L.
From what I can see, the lines to each wheel are 3/16 outer diameter, but prolly are 4.5 mm, keeping with the euro metric tradition. The bigger lines between the master and the proportioning valve look to be 6 mm. All are bubble flared.
To those who've done their own brake work--did you reuse any of the bubble flares? I keep seeing references saying they are not be reused, and must be remade. Seems hard to believe the brake shops would be doing that when they replaced a caliper or a master cylinder.
Has anyone reused a bubble flare and had it leak? Or had it NOT leak?
From what I can see, the lines to each wheel are 3/16 outer diameter, but prolly are 4.5 mm, keeping with the euro metric tradition. The bigger lines between the master and the proportioning valve look to be 6 mm. All are bubble flared.
To those who've done their own brake work--did you reuse any of the bubble flares? I keep seeing references saying they are not be reused, and must be remade. Seems hard to believe the brake shops would be doing that when they replaced a caliper or a master cylinder.
Has anyone reused a bubble flare and had it leak? Or had it NOT leak?
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 4,943
From: Mountains of Utah
Hey hi, so are you just not buying new replacement OEM style lines? Would they not already be flared? Are you fabricating lines for some reason? NAPA sells straight lengths of brake lines in varying lengths already flared and with the fittings attached. You would then just bend them to your old lines configuration. Is this helpful or what are you trying to do?
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,295
I confess to re-using Bubble Flared Lines a few times, ... back in my early day bustin' knuckles!
On the occasions when Brake Lines got re-newed, ... once I had everything mocked-up; Iinitiated: OPERATION BUBBLES
Have your **** togther.
Wrap the lines up in Butcher Paper or a Yard waste clean-up paper bag somebody makes wapping out-of fou you!
Bring the lines to an "Off the beaten path" Brake Shop.
On the way-over to the Brake Shop, ... stop at Dunkin' Donuts.
Get:
1 - "Box-'o-Joe"
Cups, stir-sticks, Creamers and Sugar's on-the-side!
Dozen Dounuts.
Next stop, ... Brake Shop.
Walk into the shop with all the stuff!
Pause for effect!
Once you have a few guys looking at you, ... just say!
"Jesus told me if I brought this stuff over here somebody'd Bubble Flare some Brake Lines for me!"
On the occasions when Brake Lines got re-newed, ... once I had everything mocked-up; Iinitiated: OPERATION BUBBLES
Have your **** togther.
Wrap the lines up in Butcher Paper or a Yard waste clean-up paper bag somebody makes wapping out-of fou you!
Bring the lines to an "Off the beaten path" Brake Shop.
On the way-over to the Brake Shop, ... stop at Dunkin' Donuts.
Get:
1 - "Box-'o-Joe"
Cups, stir-sticks, Creamers and Sugar's on-the-side!
Dozen Dounuts.
Next stop, ... Brake Shop.
Walk into the shop with all the stuff!
Pause for effect!
Once you have a few guys looking at you, ... just say!
"Jesus told me if I brought this stuff over here somebody'd Bubble Flare some Brake Lines for me!"
Thread Starter
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 14
From: Pennsylvania
The lines from the wheels to the proportioning valve will be replaced, but the 6 mm lines between the master and the proportioning valve are in good shape, and I wanted to reuse them if possible. They had to be removed to replace the master cylinder, and to move the proportioning valve out of the way, so I could get at the other lines.
But my question is just about anyone's experience with reusing bubble flared lines. Has anyone had them leak, or not leak?
But my question is just about anyone's experience with reusing bubble flared lines. Has anyone had them leak, or not leak?
Monte Of The Month -- January 2013
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 5,612
From: London, Ontario
I wouldn't worry about them leaking. I understand what you're saying. A bubble flare is compressed every time it is tightened, like a copper or aluminium gasket, so technically it should be changed when loosened off. I don't think anyone actually changes a line for this reason though. I think you'll be fine if it is removed and re-tightened once as long as it appears in good condition
Thread Starter
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 14
From: Pennsylvania
I wouldn't worry about them leaking. I understand what you're saying. A bubble flare is compressed every time it is tightened, like a copper or aluminium gasket, so technically it should be changed when loosened off. I don't think anyone actually changes a line for this reason though. I think you'll be fine if it is removed and re-tightened once as long as it appears in good condition