Is it possible to flare the end of a steel brake pipe, whilst it is still on the vehicle?

Question

I have a corroded steel brake pipe on the car, it is only about 50mm at the rear end, the rest of the line to the front of the car is sound. It would therefore be easier, if it is possible, to shorten it, flare the end and use a joining piece to new pipe for the remainder of the length.
Some say it is not possible with steel, only copper. But I have heard that it can be done.
Any useful advice from personal experience would be much appreciated.
(It is an old classic car, the front part of the pipe is inaccessable without major dismantling, hence my preferred approach)

I have over the years made up many brake pipes on machines but never repaired one on the vehicle. I fully understand about the flaring requirements. I have never heard of anyone having to heat the material though, and I certainly cant accept what the guy in the second answer said, seems like he wants me courting disaster.....

Answer 1

yes it is possible but can be difficult on your own ive done 1 before but it can be done

Answer 2

Brake Pipe Flaring

Answer 3

Steel Brake Pipe

Answer 4

Sure it can be done if room allows. My flaring tool takes up about10 square inches of space. It is for the double flare, and bubble type flares on steel brake lines. If you have the room, go for it!

I did once (don't reccommend this, but it worked) use a compression fitting to splice a line. I was stranded, and that was the only option. I kept the truck for several years, and never replaced the compression style line. As I said, I don't reccommend that , but seeing you have an antique, it most likely doesn't have ABS, therefore the compression fittings would hold.

It is best to do a double flare, and use the proper union.

Answer 5

Copper is much better, however given the age of your vehicle the real question is, which is the cheapest solution. Copper is much more expensive, however, the price of steel replacements from the main dealer is likely to be far greater than the amount charged if the garage is an independent and forms and fits copper replacement pipes. Any dealership garage will charge you an extortionate amount, of course, whether they use steel or copper. Several years ago I owned a Citroen that required replacement of all the hydraulic pipes and the dealership quoted me over £700 just for supply. I got the pipes made up by an independent specialist for £140.

Answer 6

I'll trust that you have the skills you say you have. Yes you can do it on the car. You can even bend a good line up to 45 degrees to get the flare tool on and then bend it back when done flaring. the key word is "good" line. then join them with a union. I've also repaired lines in a pinch with compression type fittings, although they are illegal for inspection they hold just as good and they only fail if the mechanic find them.

Answer 7

hi m8,this can be done if you have the flaring tool,the problem most people have is when flaring the end of the pipe the tool slips off the pipe due to the strength of the metal.what i do is,using emery paper(course sand paper),scratch and score the end of the pipe and soak in brake cleaner to allow a more gripped surface,this usually works but sometimes takes two people to apply the tool.The only problem is im unsure of the tool you may have....but its doable....ross

Answer 8

Brakes lines have to be double flared, you need a special flaring tool. In my experience, it probably can be done on the car but you are looking for trouble, you will need quite a bit of clearance. What kind of car is it?

Answer 9

Hya mate....Rossroof got it spot on!
Cut pipe with pipe cutting wheel and clean pipe with emery tape to take off plastic/paint coating. I have a Sykes Pickavant Flaremaster tool which is excellent and is very compact. costs about 100 quid but well worth it if u do car repairs. Use copper nickel pie to join to original pipe
good luck mate

Answer 10

Yes you can flair the end of a steel brake pipe when it is on the vehicle. All you need is a pipe flairing tool and patience, but it can be done.

Answer 11

This can be done if you have the flaring tool,the problem most people have is when flaring the end of the pipe the tool slips off the pipe due to the strength of the metal.what i do is,using emery paper(course sand paper),scratch and score the end of the pipe and soak in brake cleaner to allow a more gripped surface.