Leaking brake lines

[saildrive2001]

I am having problems with leaking at the fittings of my brake lines. All lines & fittings Have been replaced during my restoration. Just in case I had a brain fade & got things wrong can you confirm that I have got the correct flares as follows.
Bubble flares for the 4 way & 3 way connectors, master cylinder, servo.
Double flare for the rigid lines to the brake cylinders flexible lines.
All rigid lines are the standard steel lines used in North America

[Jason1]

Hi

It depends on the fittings. A nice diagram in Roger's post:

elan-f15/brake-pipe-flaring-tool-t23986-15.html?hilit=brake

Jason

[saildrive2001]

Hi Jason, all the ones I posted as bubble are on a male fitting as per Roger's post & being in Canada the fittings are SAE style. The double flare ones are using a female fitting. I just want a confirmation that I didn't get the wrong flares on the joints & hoping that someone may be able to help with a suggestion as to what the answer to my problem could be.
I have one fitting at the 4 way which comes from the sevo. I have the right rear fitting leaking where the solid line connects to the flexible line to the brake cylinder.
The line from the rear 3 way fitting leaks on the pipe that goes to the right brake.
Does anyone use a thread sealer on these fittings?

[AussieJohn]

There are some metric male fittings around for the late front calipers on +2s, they sort of fit if you mix and match but can cause problems.

[saildrive2001]

The ones I have used were definately not metric.

[twincamman]

Some times loosening the fitting and retightening it will seat the fittings against the flair
..I converted all my cars to AN dash 3 fittings with 45 degree flairs for that reason. They are pricey but worth it ...you also need the split wrench to snug the fitting with out rounding the fitting and getting a better purchase on the part ....ed

[saildrive2001]

Ed, where did you get your AN fittings & did you do the flares yourself?

[twincamman]

I bought the fittings at Bicknells race shop in StCatherines . You need a flair kit and 10feet of 3 /16 brake line... all reusable and get the aluminium fittings as the stainless steel break It takes 3 flats to seal the fitting no more .. You need 4adaptor at the slave cylinders fitting front and rear ....2fittings per brake line and 2for the master..and 4steel braded lines ...All -3 .they are made there.. About 150 bucks total but trouble free and the the boy racer image is priceless .....if you want to stop by I can show you how to flair the tube ...ed

[saildrive2001]

Do you still come to Burlington Ed, if so you should drop by sometime?

[twincamman]

Don't get that way much----Closest I get is the Juravinski when Im feeling better I will stop by ..Ed

[spanner]

..I converted all my cars to AN dash 3 fittings with 45 degree flairs for that reason. ....ed

45? AN? Interesting thread?..

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AN_thread

Jim

[saildrive2001]

Ed don't you still have a potential problem with the flare & the fitting not sealing the same as the regular fitting & flare? How do they differ in design other than a tighter spec for the threads?

[twincamman]

the nut fits over a ferrule and exerts an even pressure around the end of the flare ----they are AN [army navy ] specs so they are very close tolerance and used on aircraft and race cars --never had a problem except for over tightening---I used to get them from the airport but 911 put an end to that -see if you can borrow a copy of Smith's book on race car hardware -or google Bicknells racing and find the fittings page -ed

[twincamman]

Spanner ----actually it 37 degrees but my flair tool only has 45 degrees and and it works because the ferule makes the seal on the pipe flair --and 18-27 adapter to -3 fitting to the slave is needed times 4 ED

[spanner]

Ed,

Just in case you want to take the Elan up to 8000' AGL for an hour flight and expect to come back down in one piece?..

http://www.aircraftspruce.com/menus/to/ ... aring.html

Jim