Is there a painless reference for determining brake lines sizes, fitting end sizes, etc.

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[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Is there a painless reference for determining brake lines sizes, fitting end sizes, etc.

Posted: 11/2/2012 5:28:40 PM EDT

My "big truck", a 1993 Chevrolet Silverado C3500 dually with the 6.5L turbo diesel, broke a brake line last week. I'm going to pretty much replace every line, front to back, left to right. I can easily measure the lines and order the appropriate line and SWAG the length.

The fittings are a concern. It's hard to tell if they are standard or metric, or whatever. There's a chance that I might tear up one or two and need replacements anyway.

I'd like to have the whole system, in parts, before I start. Thing is I can't find any reference that shows me what I might need.

Does such a beast exist?

Posted: 11/2/2012 6:12:41 PM EDT

[#1]

I just used a nifty little kit from LMC trucks on my old Bronco.
Looks like they have what you need for about $150 w/hoses.
I'd call to make sure.

Posted: 11/2/2012 6:20:39 PM EDT

[#2]

Quoted:
I just used a nifty little kit from LMC trucks on my old Bronco.
Looks like they have what you need for about $150 w/hoses.
I'd call to make sure.

Can you give more details

Posted: 11/2/2012 6:24:08 PM EDT

[#3]

Quoted:
My "big truck", a 1993 Chevrolet Silverado C3500 dually with the 6.5L turbo diesel, broke a brake line last week. I'm going to pretty much replace every line, front to back, left to right. I can easily measure the lines and order the appropriate line and SWAG the length.

The fittings are a concern. It's hard to tell if they are standard or metric, or whatever. There's a chance that I might tear up one or two and need replacements anyway.

I'd like to have the whole system, in parts, before I start. Thing is I can't find any reference that shows me what I might need.

Does such a beast exist?

http://www.classictube.com/index.php?option=com_virtuemart&page=shop.browse&product_type_id=1&ItemID=0&product_type_1_Year_comp=find_in_set_any&product_type_1_Make_comp=texteq&product_type_1_Model_comp=texteq&product_type_1_Year%5B%5D=1993&product_type_1_Make=Chevrolet+-+GMC&product_type_1_Model=Truck+-+3%2F4+Ton&submit=Search&vmcchk=1&Itemid=53

Posted: 11/2/2012 6:31:34 PM EDT

[#4]

Quoted:

Quoted:
I just used a nifty little kit from LMC trucks on my old Bronco.
Looks like they have what you need for about $150 w/hoses.
I'd call to make sure.

Can you give more details

They sell the entire stainless line system that's pre-bent with the fittings
on it. They also sell the hoses (stainless if you like) for the truck. I started
from the firewall and rebuilt the whole system from their catalog.

http://www.lmctruck.com

Posted: 11/2/2012 6:34:08 PM EDT

[#5]

GM used color coded fittings in that era. You can buy an assortment and be done with it or you can pull it all apart and try to figure out which ones you have where. The diameter is 3/16" for the small ones and 1/4" for the big, that is pretty much standard on all vehicles.

here is an example of an assortment of color coded fittings, I dont know if this is an inexpensive source or not. I do recall several years back buying some for my 90's era GM and they were not cheap (like 5 bucks each) but I see that some auto parts stores carry bubble flared stuff now.

http://www.parcelparts.com/servlet/the-Brake-Lines-and-Fittings/Categories

What was really a PITA is they often mixed standard and metric (DIN / ISO / "bubble flare") flarings on the same vehicle.

http://www.fedhillusa.com/

Posted: 11/2/2012 6:42:41 PM EDT

[#6]

Quoted:
GM used color coded fittings in that era. You can buy an assortment and be done with it or you can pull it all apart and try to figure out which ones you have where.

here is an example of an assortment of color coded fittings, I dont know if this is an inexpensive source or not. I do recall several years back buying some for my 90's era GM and they were not cheap (like 5 bucks each) but I see that some auto parts stores carry bubble flared stuff now.

http://www.parcelparts.com/servlet/the-Brake-Lines-and-Fittings/Categories

What was really a PITA is they often mixed standard and metric (DIN / ISO / "bubble flare") flarings on the same vehicle.

http://www.fedhillusa.com/

I know this, unfortunately. It was the same on a Dodge Dakota I did this to a few years back. Bubble flare here, double flare there, standard, metric...................what a pain.

ETA: Thanks for the FedHill link. It looks like a good supplier.

This kit looks promising - what does anybody think about this one?

Posted: 11/2/2012 6:51:45 PM EDT

[#7]

I used the tubing size, fitting look and color to match up which ones I needed. Often if you cant tell what color the fitting is, once you unscrew it you can see the color.

I have not found an easy resource to tell what fitting is where for any of the vehicles I have done this to.

Thats why I recommended buying an assortment and saving yourself some headache. Or even better a pre-made kit. But make DAMN sure its for your vehicle the way its outfitted, because stuff will vary among the same year of vehicle, like heavy duty brakes may use a different line/fitting, etc.

Posted: 11/2/2012 6:56:02 PM EDT

[#8]

Quoted:

Quoted:
GM used color coded fittings in that era. You can buy an assortment and be done with it or you can pull it all apart and try to figure out which ones you have where.

here is an example of an assortment of color coded fittings, I dont know if this is an inexpensive source or not. I do recall several years back buying some for my 90's era GM and they were not cheap (like 5 bucks each) but I see that some auto parts stores carry bubble flared stuff now.

http://www.parcelparts.com/servlet/the-Brake-Lines-and-Fittings/Categories

What was really a PITA is they often mixed standard and metric (DIN / ISO / "bubble flare") flarings on the same vehicle.

http://www.fedhillusa.com/

I know this, unfortunately. It was the same on a Dodge Dakota I did this to a few years back. Bubble flare here, double flare there, standard, metric...................what a pain.

ETA: Thanks for the FedHill link. It looks like a good supplier.

This kit looks promising - what does anybody think about this one?

That kit will probably do it. Especially if you dont have ABS. If you dont have enough of a one fitting you can always go to autozone or whatever is nearby and buy a small length of straight tube with the fitting you need on it.

Posted: 11/2/2012 7:03:33 PM EDT

[#9]

Thanks arfarf. Big help.

Posted: 11/2/2012 7:29:37 PM EDT

[#10]

Found a ton of GM schematics:

Link

Posted: 11/3/2012 2:41:16 AM EDT

[#11]

Aren't pre-bent kits available for you vehicle? Seems like it would be easier that bending all that tubing

Posted: 11/3/2012 4:23:29 AM EDT

[#12]

Quoted:
Aren't pre-bent kits available for you vehicle? Seems like it would be easier that bending all that tubing

Not that I can find so far. Closest I found was a regular cab 4WD full length bed. I have an extended cab 2WD full length bed.

They're out there I'd bet. Just need to find them. Thus the feeler being sent out. So far this thread has paid dividend in the sources and knowledge I've found.

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Is there a painless reference for determining brake lines sizes, fitting end sizes, etc.

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