Flaring stainless brake lines?

[Alan F]

I've got an "old faithful" brake flaring tool and a piece of 3/16" stainless steel brake line that I want to repurpose for a needed cause. I just put the tool on the line and cannot get it clamped with enough force to keep the flaring tool from pushing the line out of the holder. Should this be doable or do I just need to use a softer line like mild steel? Because of the circumstances, I'm afraid nicop/copper will be too soft (and I don't have any). Thanks!

 

[kmakar]

SS is extremely hard and brittle and takes extreme force to flare (usually done by a flaring machine). I'd go with a standard steel line. Very hard to get stainless brake lines to seat because the lines do not seat well with mating surface if not flared perfectly.

 

[DJ’s Garage]

Inline tube has nice stainless lines at a decent price, although that’s not helping you much at the moment. Stainless is very hard to flare.

 

[kmakar]

Inline tube has nice stainless lines at a decent price, although that’s not helping you much at the moment. Stainless is very hard to flare.

I've heard more complaints about SS brake lines and how they always leak because they never seat right. I've never used SS bake lines. I also won't use NiCop lines as they are too soft.

A couple of times a friend wanted to use SS lines and I told him it'd be easier to use regular steel lines fine sand them down (800+) and buff them out, then seal with clear.

 

[Nashville Cat]

Just ask Andy about SS brake lines

 

[cheveslakr]

I've got SS lines on 2 cars. They did take a few seats and re-seats but 0 leaks. I since just use the steel lines and coat them with boeshield before installing. I prefer the OEM look.

 

[DJ’s Garage]

I've got SS lines on 2 cars. They did take a few seats and re-seats but 0 leaks. I since just use the steel lines and coat them with boeshield before installing. I prefer the OEM look.

I have stainless on 2 as well and so far have had good luck with them.