Pre-bent Brake Lines vs Bending Custom Lines

Looks like my main brake lines to the back are not in the greatest of shape (thank you ontario for salty roads). Am I better of buying pre-bent lines www.classictube.com for $220 stainless steel or having say a mechanic bend the lines for me? Not sure how much labour is involved in bending but I suspect a lot.

Also, can I get the main brake lines out of the car with it on blocks or do I need more vertical space?

bending up new lines is not all that hard, you do need a tubing bender, and then you remove the old line, and bend the new one to match. install the new line.

Your factory lines go from the ABS unit down between the subframe and body (very tight) then back along the rocker. They connect right by the rear left tire. from there you have shorter pieces going to the rear left and a longer piece over the subframe going to the rear right.

The only way you are getting prebent in w/o bending them up a bit..is to pull subframes etc.

I'd recommend bending your own.

Originally Posted by BillBoost37

The only way you are getting prebent in w/o bending them up a bit..is to pull subframes etc

Yeah don't want to get into that... so will i be able to effectively bend my own and install while the car is on blocks or do I need more room aka let mechanic do it?

How big are your blocks. Can you get under there and buy a double flare tool.

I just barely fit, its tight as I needed reasonable room to get motor out/in up top. I can buy a tool - no biggie.

then raise it up.. give yoruself a little room and buy a roll of connifer brake line

OK might tackle this then. How long do you think it would take?

i redid the front caliper line on a 80 power wagon in about 45 minutes, in the snow of the auto parts store lot the line blew in front of, when i slammed the van in front of me, with a plow on the truck lol

tubing bender ran about 10 bucks. i think you can rent the flair tool. thay are not cheap to buy.

$35 - that all I need?

that looks like it.

bender looks something like this. i had a cheaper version. i dont think it had the extra arm. mine you just pulled it around the curve.

Steel brake lines are not hard to bend. You can actually bend them pretty easily by hand. I did 3 brake lines on my car and the hardest part was taking the old lines off and putting the new ones on just because the space is so tight. I found it easier to just cut the old line in a few places and take it out in pieces. Also, you're going to want to give yourself as much room as possible under the car when you do it.

true that but they also can kink real easy, not worth free handing it, as the tubings not free.

I did a bunch recently. Took 2-3 hours including bleeding.

I picked up a cheap flare tool from Harbor Freight it it landed in the garbage. Sears $55 and I love it.
So now that I've told you to buy an expensive tool, you might as well join the club of wanting nice stuff. Check out Motive Power Bleeders. yeah.. that's right. It's that easy.

Got a directive from the other half "Get it running now" bit the bullet & went to mechanic, he bent up the lines while I was at work lol so yeah mission accomplished.