Brake line do-ups: Flaring tool review
 

Putting on the brake lines on my Dynatrack ProRock 60 axle:

Of course to do a proper brake line job, you need a double flaring tool.
However, all of them are not created equal. AVOID the "Performance Tool"
brand you'll find at Pep Boys, Sears (htere is no "Craftsman" good
quality version), or other retailers. It's shite. First flare and the
guiding pin on the 3/16" adapter snapped off. Totally screwed up a
beautifully bent passenger side rear line.

Instead, find the MAC tools or Snap-On version, or the KD tools version.
I personally was lusting after the Ridgid model 345DL, but no place that
sold it was open today. NAPA had the KD set.

The KEY to a proper flaring job is to oil _everything_; the little
adapter, the thread, and the flaring cone especially.

Make sure the clamping bars are absolutely even with each other. On the
first flare, you mash the adapter all the way down to the clamping bar.
On the second flare, DON'T mash it all the way down. It took a few tries
to get it looking like the store-bought piece I used as a model.

Also, my factory 94 YJ brake lines came with a coiled spring covering
them. Orme Bros., who sold me the line, told me only the factory does
this. However, I liked the look and the extra protection, so I went to a
True Value and bought the right size compression springs, and stretched
them out to space the coils right. Looks bitchin! I'll post pics at some
point.

I have to figure out how to access my web pages again, it's been some
time since I put anything up.

until then, http://pages.sbcglobal.net/calwheeler/index.html just shows
a little R/C atv project.