Well I just got a nine bolt with 3.23 gears in it and disk brakes and i one side the brake line was cliped off. I need to replace the brake line. What size line fittings and what kind of tools will i need to to the job. Could i just buy the line complete from a store?? I also need to change my prop. because im going from drum to disk on the rear. Is there anything i should look our for when changing this. Any kind of help would be great. Thanks

 

pull the remaining end off and take it to the autoparts store.

you can buy a completed line with the proper flare.

i think its a bubble flare, but i never had a 9bolt so im not positive.

just note the flare, size and length, and match it at the store.

you may want to buy or rent a tubing bender.

 

I'm in the process of replacing all the brake lines in my car. I called around to see if any shops knew the line sizes and fitting sizes I needed, but all the shops told me the same thing: Bring in a sample of the old lines.

 

www.classictube.com
www.inlinetube.com

 

wow you guys are fast um ok that sounds good. When i screw or unscrew the fitting out of the block or the brakes do you think im going to have a hard time or should the fittings come right out no problems. And is there a chance i will mess up the lines if i do it worng. Sorry for being such an amature to this stuff but i never had to do this so now is the time for me to learn.

 

If your nine-bolt has PBR's, check the following link for direct-fit brake lines:

https://www.thirdgen.org/techbb2/sho...hreadid=249098

JamesC

By the way, and it makes little difference, but shouldn't the nine-bolt be a 3.27?

 

Depends on the overall condition of the fittings and lines.... with my car, the fittings in the calipers came out fine, but the fittings at the flexhoses were rusted solid. If they appear a little rusted, use a little penetrating oil on the fittings before you try taking them apart. It will help a little bit.

 

thanks for the tips 88 firebird and yea i your right james it is a 3.27.

 

I think your going to find out the parts stores don't carry the brake line size you need, it's metric and a large size. I went thru the same thing on my 88 formula. I went to no less then 10 stores(auto zone, advance auto, napa, car quest )and many more looking for this size.I just found the size I need online at fine lines.Mine was the one from the prop valve in front to the junction block in the rear where it was broken.If this is the same one you need save yourself some time and sanity and just order one. Good luck

 

Well thats good to know then... so exactly what size is the brake line on our cars? I still have to buy mine, thats why I'm asking.

 

It's a metric size; 6mm or something. At least, that's what goes to the rear. I've never tried to do anything with the front, but it looks about the same.

 

That would make sense... cause when i was looking throughthe different sizes it didn't look like any of the standard sizes... bigger than 3/16 and smaller than 1/4...

 

If you make your own, you need an "ISO/bubble flaring tool". You won't find it locally unless you have an amazing parts store nearby! You can find it on the 'net, though. Everyone locally will have an "SAE/double flare tool", but double flares were last used in '83.

The biggest pain is when the fitting rusts to the metal line. So you think you're turning the nut free, but you're really twisting the metal line up- and SNAP! Happened to me twice, once with the original line, and again (months later) with the new line that I bent/flared myself. Next time I put that rear on (stupid posi blew up), I'll be buying the stainless steel rear axle set from Classic Tube.

If your parts store carries pre-flared lines, you'll have to tell them to get you a line from the "foreign/import" section. Pep Boys had the pre-flared lines in the back by the tires (I just walked in the back, haha), they were made by Raybestos, but all of the "domestic" lines were double flares. I guess Raybestos never paid attention. The tube nuts on those foreign lines were colored blue.

 

Thats actually what i ended up doing . When i went to crapy boys they had it there and yes the fitting was blue. Thanks for the tip.

 

I did run into one more problem. I cant get the piston on the rear caliper to compress for the life of me. I bought the little square tool thing and it was useless to me. I wish i had a pic of the piston but I dont. The surface has about 9 little dimples on it and one of the nice is alot deeper then the others. I tried even doing it with a channel lock ( which i know is a bad idea) but im gettin desperate. I have the lines cut so there is no pressure right now.

 

Sounds like your caliper is rusted solid together. That brake obviously isn't working in the slightest.

Time for a rebuild/replacement.

 

A local garage (Midas) has a bubble flare tool... I know the guy, as I've dealt with him a lot and so has my dad... guy said he could do it for me, so that's good....

So far all the stores I've called don't have metric lines... they say to just use 1/4" line, but I'm thinkin the fittings won't fit the lines properly if I use 1/4"... gonna have to keep looking around...

 

I know this is a lazy questoin but do you already know where i can get a re build. Not really in the mood to search the internet right now.

 

A caliper that's already rebuilt, or, a rebuilt kit? There's places like carparts.com , partsamerica.com, expressautoparts.com ...

As long as the inside diameter of the tubing is close to factory, the tubing should work. And I'd wager that if the outside of the tubing is almost the same size, then then inside is probably also the same size.

 

Well, if the proper line size is 6 mm, and 1/4" line is 6.35 mm, then hopefully it should be close enough... I don't have the cash to start ordering custom made lines... especially when you add shipping and handling to a Canadian order...