Ummm, I broke sumthin!

[Jeff K]

While refurbing my suspension, I broke the brake hard line that goes into the rear caliper. Right at the fitting that goes into the caliper. The fitting is still in the caliper.

This is the part
http://store.delorean.com/p-7502-pipe-rear-caliper-lh.aspx

Any fix ? Something like recrimping an end?

If not, is their a better alternative, like a stainless braided hose?

Thanks
Jeff

[Ron]

If you have enough slack, it can be re-flared. But, uses a "non-standard", double roll flair and requires a special tool...and a little experience to get it right the first time.

I'd guess your best bet is to remove the fitting and rest of the line and take them to a shop, or bight the bullet and just order one from DMCMW.

[Mark D]

My guess is that you'd end up spending more money on a stainless braided hose than the $38 hard line.

You could possibly re-flare the end where it broke but when it comes to something safety critical like brakes I'd still lean towards just buying a replacement.

Last summer when I rebuilt my suspension I wanted to clean up these same hard lines because they were looking a little rusty...I sent them in for replating and they got a little bent up and the new zinc didn't stick very well because not all of that original green coating came off. In the end I just decided to bite the bullet and replace them both. I got my set from DMCMW and they look great.

EDIT: haha..yup Ron beat me to the punch and said pretty much the same thing.

[Jeff K]

Ok.. I found this article

http://robrobinette.com/flare_brake_line.htm

The tool is $40 - I won't save in this case but I will have the tool.

Hmmm....

[Jeff K]

Ok.. are the brake lines Metric or English? I'm going to try the tool and I want to get the correct one.

Thanks!

[Bitsyncmaster]

You could buy brake hard lines at most auto parts stores but not sure they would have our metric size. Those lines are straight pipe with the ends already flared on the pipe. Then you would have to bend it to shape. It takes some practice to do your own double flares with that tool. I've done a few myself.