Brake Flare Nut

[Laffs]

So going to put cobra brakes on my car, of course driver side hardline to flex line flare nut is completely rounded/mega fucked. Gotta cut it off and reflare/nut I assume. How can I find out what size flare nut is needed? Want to buy before I cut the line to avoid draining the system as much as possible. 2000 Mustang GT.

[ZR]

Are you replacing flex hoses at the same time?
If yes, take flex hose to local auto parts n buy.
Most times, not enough extra line to cut n flare, have to cut back a bit, flare n user joiner to attach new section or replace entire line.
Based on some neg issue with ABS valve body's / master cyls, we do our utmost not to allow them do go dry.

[Laffs]

Are you replacing flex hoses at the same time?
If yes, take flex hose to local auto parts n buy.
Most times, not enough extra line to cut n flare, have to cut back a bit, flare n user joiner to attach new section or replace entire line.
Based on some neg issue with ABS valve body's / master cyls, we do our utmost not to allow them do go dry.

Yea I guess I can take flex hose off the cobra brakes in. Don't I need an inside diameter as well or is that universal?

[ZR]

Should be 3/16" but best to confirm.
Use an open end wrench over the outside of the line to confirm. If you don't have 3/16", use a 1/4" and if it's too big your golden on 3/16.
Don't recall if Ford uses a conventional size nut or it's an oddball (3/16 can use various size nuts with same inner diameter).

[Laffs]

Feel like I'm gonna frigg this up...

[ZR]

You'll be fine.

[ZR]

Too bad your not closer, bought a cool hyd flare tool a few months ago.

[Ponyryd]

If you don’t need your old flexline just cut it off, then hold the tube nut and unthread the old flexline from it, that way you can re-use it if you can get it tight enough, no cutting or flaring needed.
To not lose the fluid during the process, apply light pressure to the brake pedal, this will close the master cyl port and keep your fluid in the reservoir. Best to disconnect battery or brake switch if this will take some time.

[Laffs]

Too bad your not closer, bought a cool hyd flare tool a few months ago.

Eastwood?

[ZR]

Mastercool.
Good point above, slide retaining clip out, flex line will come free of the bracket, vise grips on nut, wrench on the line and rotate off. Install new one in rev order. Chewed or not, if you can get snug enough to seal, call it good.

[Ponyryd]

^The flexline is keyed in place, only locking in one location usually, so what I do is remove the flexline, then apply light heat to the tube nut to free it up, put some lubricant on the threads and the line under where the tube nut sits, then install as if the tube nut is not damaged, 90% of the time it works.

[Laffs]

This tube nut is not budging. Going to attempt the hard line removal and spin when I can get a buddy over to hole brake pedal.

[Laffs]

Mastercool Hydraulic Flare tool works a charm. Also, what the hell was ford thinking using different size fittings from Driver to Passenger side.

[ZR]

^ Not too bright are they??

[Laffs]

I'm sure there's a reason but I can't figure it out.

[ZR]

It's like how Ford has to use every metric size wrench in my box.

[Laffs]

It's like how Ford has to use every metric size wrench in my box.

Hah. Every time I do brakes/suspension parts on the car its like ok, remove this 16mm, to then remove this 15mm, to remove the 13mm, to get to the 10mm....to get the 12mm...

[ZR]

^ Quoted for truth.