Brake Lines: Are Flare wrenches necessary?

[EVOIIIM3]

Just go and buy them!

last weekend I was installing SS lines on my friends E36 M3, even with the flare wrenches we still stripped 2 lines out! These F&^CKING things would not come loose not matter what we did!

it's totally worth the cost in effort and reducing the chances of stripping anything. If you mess up the hard lines on the trailing arms, you will hate life!

[hotghias]

just don't get cheap flare wrenches. my dad got some and they open up when you use them. might as well use openended wrenches.

[Ryan Stewart]

Using only once? You dont plan on changing your brake lines ever again?

I dont really think SS brake lines are designed to be a lifetime replacement, i intend on changing mine just like I would my rubber ones every couple years. Brakes scare me so I make sure and maintain them.

I have always used open ended wrenches. I have never had much trouble getting the lines off though.

[Digitalwave]

Not lifetime, but damn I don't think the lines need to be changed every couple years?

I bought a set of flare wrenches, they have worked fine, I have all the stock lines off and 4 out of the 6 SS lines installed.

[NC325iC]

*noob question ahead*

what is the difference btw these wrenches and normal open end wrenches?

[hotghias]

they look like a normal closed end (hex, not 12-sided) wrench on the end, except they have an opening on *part* of one of the sides, so you can slip it over the brake line. that way it grips on more corners and has less chance of rounding it off and causing a great wailing and gnashing of teeth.

[ptownTSI]

is it really worth it in the flare-nut application to buy matco, mac or snap-on vs craftsman.

[Simon S]

The biggest reason I have/use (a cheapy set of ) flare wrenches is for better bite on older corroded nuts.

A new set of lines? Just put ‘em on with an open end and drink some beer.


.

[browntown]

here's a tip, put another wrench on the other side of the standoffs like the picture above or you'll make a curly-q out of the existing line.

[arsevader]

Youse guys are all idiots. ;) jk

Anyway, for the record. The flare wrenches are for using on the 'hard' line not the flexible line.

You can use a regular open wrench on the rubber/ss line. The reason you need a flare wrench is those small nuts on the hard lines like to strip easily so you need a wrench that grips as much of them as possible.

That's why you'd have a hard time finding larger flare wrenches, they just aren't needed.

here's a tip, put another wrench on the other side of the standoffs like the picture above or you'll make a curly-q out of the existing line.

Exactly. You turn the nut on the hard line and just hold the flexible line still.

[Mossman]

Yeah and even if the hardline was an 18 you should be able to get enough grip with a regular wrench. It's the stubborn 10 and 11mm rusty old bastards that you really need as much help as possible to grab. But hell if you're replacing the lines anyways try with a regular wrench and if not thats why god created vice grips. Or you could just buy a set of flare nut wrenches :)

[E304life]

Think of it this way for the money you are saving yourself by doing it your self you can buy the wrench and still be way ahead.

BTW i just bough a big snap-on tool box in blue. My boss was pretty stoked because it looks like bmw blue. This would be overkill for home use but I use it for my job and besides that I am a tool hore.

[Axxe]

18mm ~ 13/16

BTW, for just tightening a brand new SS line, you can use a standard open ended wrench. Flare is necessary for hard brake lines and stuck old flex lines.

[rwh11385]

Not lifetime, but damn I don't think the lines need to be changed every couple years?

actually, that's exactly what should be done

[rwh11385]

oh yeah, battling rusty old shit from Chicago and having to heat and PB blast every brake line is not fun.

Neither is breaking a hardline and having to buy another from an International Parts store and bending it yourself. Not exactly hardwork or too long of a job, but not on my favorite things to have broke list. Definitely "aw fuck, i shouldn't have broke that."