Anyone know the exact size for 3/16 brake lines in the states?? hoping to pick this up at local auto parts store instead of ordering
here is a link to the minispares.
https://www.minispares.com/hu1-brass-3-8-unf-male-brake-union
(https://www.minispares.com/media/catalog/product/cache/7bfb6bc9cef7d249596faba93ce80729/h/u/hu1.jpg)
Autozone has those, 3/8-24 thread size.....but be aware there are a few of those that are metric on later cars, especially at the brake master cylinder.
Quote from: MiniDave on May 08, 2025, 07:44:57 AMAutozone has those, 3/8-24 thread size.....but be aware there are a few of those that are metric on later cars, especially at the brake master cylinder.
It took me forever to get enough of those to rebuild my brakelines a while back. All of the auto parts stores I went to had ONE in stock. And most of them were either mis-labled or had been switched around in the packs. Plus you need to be aware that there are beveled and non-beveled ones that are almost identical.
The kicker that almost put me over the edge was when I finally found a pack of them at NAPA and got them home and ended up having to redo multiple flares after I realized that NAPA also mis-labled them. They were the METRIC ones labeled as standard!
IIRC, I bought and cut apart a few pre-made lines just for the fittings.
I have bought them in bulk from spares to have on hand. Or Amazon. I don't do as many brake lines as I used to but still have a baggie of various mini fittings.
Oh, and make sure you get the proper length ones. If they aren't long enough to bottom out in the female part of the connection, they won't seal up. Ask me how I know.
Quote from: MiniDave on May 08, 2025, 07:44:57 AMAutozone has those, 3/8-24 thread size.....but be aware there are a few of those that are metric on later cars, especially at the brake master cylinder.
This is the closest I can find but do have the flare at the end of them like the ones I find on the mini suppliers.
https://www.autozone.com/brakes-and-traction-control/brake-line-fitting/p/ags-long-3-16-3-8-24-inverted-5-card-steel-tube-nut/849562_0_0?spps.s=4044&cmpid=LIA:US:EN:AD:NL:1000000:GEN:22350391884&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22356757832&gbraid=0AAAAADkcoVtuaIbCkezVKMYpkY8a4ajFw&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIkfLm6a-YjQMVnCdECB3EIAN7EAQYAiABEgLGWfD_BwE
Those look like they ought to work. I assume you have a flaring tool that will make the correct double flares. I managed with the standard old manual anvil type tool, but you have to have the little adapter insert and it definitely takes some practice. There are a few good youtube videos out there that are worth the time to watch. I wish I had ponied up for one of the pro-type hydraulic flaring tools. It would make the job so much easier. I will def buy one if I have to do it again.
What he said /\ :13:
If you don't need them ASAP I've bought line and fittings from these guys, they're also a good source for copper/nickel line.
https://4lifetimelines.com/collections/fittings-1?srsltid=AfmBOopCLnOhR8BQuqYMyUkhdk8ZUSlhxYgrvdxdu6MZVkyhZ_zvHF5Y (https://4lifetimelines.com/collections/fittings-1?srsltid=AfmBOopCLnOhR8BQuqYMyUkhdk8ZUSlhxYgrvdxdu6MZVkyhZ_zvHF5Y)
As has been mentioned above a good flaring tool is a time saver over the basic Autozone/Adavance/Harbor Freight type.
I bought a Sykes-Pickvant turret style off eBay UK when I did my lines over on my car after too many attempts with the cheapo-depot one I had.
https://sykes-pickavant.com/products/2700100-brake-pipe-flaring-tool-kit-3-16-4-75mm (https://sykes-pickavant.com/products/2700100-brake-pipe-flaring-tool-kit-3-16-4-75mm)
You can also try Fedhill https://store.fedhillusa.com/britishgirling.aspx (https://store.fedhillusa.com/britishgirling.aspx)
Kelley
Quote from: bikewiz on May 10, 2025, 11:01:15 AMIf you don't need them ASAP I've bought line and fittings from these guys, they're also a good source for copper/nickel line.
https://4lifetimelines.com/collections/fittings-1?srsltid=AfmBOopCLnOhR8BQuqYMyUkhdk8ZUSlhxYgrvdxdu6MZVkyhZ_zvHF5Y (https://4lifetimelines.com/collections/fittings-1?srsltid=AfmBOopCLnOhR8BQuqYMyUkhdk8ZUSlhxYgrvdxdu6MZVkyhZ_zvHF5Y)
As has been mentioned above a good flaring tool is a time saver over the basic Autozone/Adavance/Harbor Freight type.
I bought a Sykes-Pickvant turret style off eBay UK when I did my lines over on my car after too many attempts with the cheapo-depot one I had.
https://sykes-pickavant.com/products/2700100-brake-pipe-flaring-tool-kit-3-16-4-75mm (https://sykes-pickavant.com/products/2700100-brake-pipe-flaring-tool-kit-3-16-4-75mm)
Not in a hurry. This is actually where I planned to buy the lines. Wasnt sure which fittings would fit the t piece. Which fittings did you use??
(https://www.minisport.com/media/catalog/product/cache/d717a3a8a312f57de1a69b8e529efe00/2/1/21a654.jpg.webp)
I used these. They were pretty cheap when I got them, they sell this bag of 10 for $11, just be sure you use the correct flare.
https://4lifetimelines.com/products/stainless-steel-tube-nut-3-16-3-8-25?_pos=4&_fid=8cb647e97&_ss=c/ (https://4lifetimelines.com/products/stainless-steel-tube-nut-3-16-3-8-25?_pos=4&_fid=8cb647e97&_ss=c/)
No corrosion problems from dis-similar metals with those?
No problems with them. I replaced the rear wheel cylinders a few years ago and the fittings came right out.
The car never sees salty roads and rarely is driven in the rain, however it spends it's life within a mile of the ocean.