I'm having some problems with building a clutch line for my Civic. I wanted to make a new hard line, so I bought 25' coil of 3/16" steel line from Advance Auto. I also bought new fittings and a double flare tool. My problem is - I cannot flare the line. I tried several times to flare the line, but it kept slipping out of the clamp instead of forming the first "bubble." I had tightened the clamp as far as possible, so I decided to try putting it in a vise. That sort of worked since the line didn't slip out. However, I ended up severely bending the T-handle (with just my hand) while trying to form the bubble. What am I doing wrong? Do I have the wrong type of line?


<U>Synopsis</U>: I can't seem to double flare the steel line.

 

make sure the line is being clamped in the right slot. I was having the same problems, but putting the line in the next smaller slot held it in place.

 

No sir - 3/16" line in the 3/16" slot. No other slot would fit it.

 

steel line might be too stiff for the flaring tool to work, its more used on soft copper/Copper-nickel lines.

 

Then how do I make a clutch line? How does anyone make brake or clutch lines?

 

Sounds like you've got a crappy flare tool kit. I bought one that would only make a straight flare once every 5 attempts or so. I bought a better one and havn't had a problem since.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by nitrofish420 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Sounds like you've got a crappy flare tool kit. I bought one that would only make a straight flare once every 5 attempts or so. I bought a better one and havn't had a problem since. </TD></TR></TABLE>

yeah same here. i got a blue point now and it works perfectly . also im pretty sure you can buy a kit that goes the whole way back to the firewall at the resovoir for the fluid or whatever. its made out of braided flex hose. it looks pretty sweet. heres the specs

Clutch Hardline Eliminator - On Sale! [KMSU-Clutchline]
Civic (1992-1995)
Civic (1996-2000)
Del Sol (1993-1997)
Integra (1994-2001) $ 75.00

you can buy this at : http://www.kingmotorsports.com...at=30
its about half way down the page. i hope this helps...

 

Well I want regular hard lines - no flex line. But I figure the tool should at least flare the line, even if the flare sucks. I guess the line is too hard? Where can I get line that's easy to flare but will still be adequate for the clutch line? Otherwise I'll have to buy prefab lines.

 

i used one of thoes cheap dubble flair tools thy suck.... try to heat the line up woth a torch maby? that'll softenup the line, you might have to paint the outside of it when you done tho

 

Have you ever done it with heat? I tried using a torch once but it seemed harder. Anybody have some advice on coping with cheap tools other than buying expensive ones?

 

Is there any chance that I could use a single flare? Could I use a washer or something with it? (Yes, I know double is the standard.)

 

well just pratice and u'll get it, i used the cheap tool and got a few decent flairs out of it..... i put the tube into the smaller hold tho ;x 3/16 kept sliping

 

What kind of line did you use, and where did you get it?

 

i dont know if your still interested in this, but i got the brake line at my local autozone and the line was just steel brake line