Brake line fittings
 

I'm going to start the plumbing on my car soon and was looking at ordering some 3 AN fittings. All I can get locally is Russell, Earl's and Aeroquip. Is there one that is better of the three or should I stay away from all three? I also need to get another set of braided lines for the rears, but I don't think that Allstar Performance has a Canadian dealer. I don't plan on racing the car, so would one of their lines be okay? Thanks in advance.

Mike ---

Check out where I get most of my stuff....

http://www.purechoicemotorsports.com/

Or

Bent Fab will supply your stuff too! Give Mark a toot... see what he recommends?

Thanks for the link Greg. I see they have a Canadian dealer also. I see they use Aeroquip for some of their stuff. I can get that locally too. I just need to know if there are any issues with any of the three companies I mentioned.

The only thing I would say is "don't mix" the manufacturers -- if you're going Aeroquip hose - use aeroquip fittings.

I've used all three brands you mention... and would not say negative things about any of them... but have found hose size differences - thus the admonition to try no to mix brands up.

Marc at Bent Fab is really the expert on this stuff I would think - and I'm sure he probably has a more "professional" opinion on the brands.

Yeah I'll second that. When it comes downt to hose ends and hose stay with one brand across the board. For brake line stuff 3an/4an tube nuts, etc you will be find. Personally I like to stay with steel brake line stuff and go aluminum on other fluid connections.

Right now I have Allstar performance braided lines that came with my brake kit. If I end up going with Aeroquip (haven't made a choice yet, just picking one for the example), should I scrap the Allstar lines and run Aeroquip then?

A flare angle is a flare angle. I wouldn't worry about mixing things up.:unibrow:

Looks like we confused you, or maybe just me, but I'm talking about hose ends.
http://juxsa.com/carstuff/16v/more%2...hose%20end.jpg

Stick to the same hose end manufacturer as made your hose.
Hard-line does not apply, crimped lines from a reputable shop does not apply they already know what they are doing.

I gotta agree with that. Fittings are pretty consistent as long as you use any of the mentioned companies (Russell, Earl's and Aeroquip). All those companies have a good record. JR

Those are reusable hose ends. I would not use them for brake lines. I would only use a swaged or crimped hose ends for brakes. But I think he was asking about hard line fittings. JR

Got nothing to do with the flare or flare angle -- and everything to do with the hose and fitting... You'll find some hose extremely difficult to get into some fittings... Stick to the same hose and brand fitting.

Personally I would never "make up" braided brake lines... they're way to easy to buy in the right length with the proper size fitting and they're swaged.

If we're talking about hard lines - then -6AN is -6AN... but it's different in flexible hose.

Personally I like Aeroquip... Earls fittings seem "cheap" to me... and the anodizing doesn't seem to be the same quality.

I'd still ask Mark at Bent Fab - he's doing this stuff day in and day out.

Mike -- I'm assuming these lines that came with the kit are flex lines for use from the frame to the actual brake caliper or backing plate (in the case of drum brakes) -- if they have the ends already on them (I would assume they do) they're fine! I was really referencing if you're going to do some plumbing where you need to use "HOSE" and HOSE ENDS.... for fuel lines etc. Then as I said - I'd just stick to one manufacturer (matching hose to fitting)...

I was making up some hose for something - can't remember what - and grabbed some ends out of the drawer - got lots of 'em - and some hose - did all the measuring and cutting etc (I have a special saw just for braided hose) and I fought that dang hose and fitting until my hands hurt... the wall thickness of the hose just didn't want to go with my fitting... so got to looking at all my hose and by golly there was a difference in the braid AND the wall thickness... even though it was -8 or whatever size it was I was using at the time. So when I was at SEMA I made it a point to talk with some of the hose reps and that is when I came to the realization that I should stick to like manufacturer. Now - that is not to say -8 is not -8 that is a "spec" that is a mil spec and thats not what we're talking about here.

When I found a different piece of hose in my 'stock' - I cut it and had the fitting on in 2 seconds... from then on - I pay attention.

I think there IS some confusion in the thread.

Fittings as I see it are fittings for hard lines and couplers and adapters between the brake components and hard lines and hoses. NOT hose fittings. Most guys are not making their own brake hoses. So the fittings as far as that is concerned didnt fit in the thread. I dont think the OP was making his own brake hoses. I saw it as him looking for the fittings that are used in between the hoses and brake components and maybe making up his own hard lines. If so then all brake fittings from his list of manufactures are equal and interchangeable.

And as far as making up your own hoses for fuel, oil or air lines its a piece of cake. I have done a few hose ends. And you DO need to make sure you are using the correct hose end for the hose used. Teflon core hose will use a diff end than a rubber core hose.

For teflon core (braided stainless steel outer) I still like JIC fittings. And all of the manufactures that make hose ends for teflon core hose use steel ends, I think. And for fuel I only like the teflon core.

For rubber core hoses they will take an entirely different end. And they are usually in aluminum. I have used many manufactures hose ends for the rubber core hose and some are better than others. They all seem to hold to the dimensions for the rubber core and outer braided shield. But some of the manufactures of hose ends use a better method of securing the end to the hose IMO.

And if a guy were to make up his own hoses then I would recomend using the ends from the same supplier of the hose. I have so many manufactures of hose here that it took some time to find a "universal" end that I knew I could order and it would work. And they are really good, made in the US ends.

Now as far as making your own hoses with reusable hose ends I have tried it all. Went through alot of cuts to get it down to a science. I started with a cutoff saw, hand held at first. I was having problems with stray strands of SS wire. And once the wire starts to unravel its time to start over. And really, the type of tape you use makes a diff.

So what I do now is use 3M electrical tape and wrap a very tight wrap or two around the hose where I want to cut it. As tight as you can before breaking the tape. Thats why 3M tape works, it has a high stretch factor before it snaps. Then I put the hose in my home made 4" chop saw. It has a thin blade and spins fast. But the best thing about the chop saw is it supports the hose for the entire cut. No tapered cuts. I let the rubber core hose completely cool before removing the tape. I have removed the tape right after the cut and the rubber core was still warm and expanded. Pushing out the ends of the wire. Let it cool and when you remove the tape the end is still small and a lil tapered from the tight wrap of tape. Then the hose is ready for the end. I can usually get the nut on the hose without any loose wires. Screw the nut on. The type I use screws the nut on counterclockwise then the other part of the hose end with the nipple screws onto that nut in a clockwise direction.

I have made up alot of hoses for air and fluid with reusable hose ends doing this and so far so good..

Oh, but brake hoses are NOT supposed to use reusable hose ends. Crimp type only IMO. JR

Good point, definitely don't mix up hose and hose ends.

Thanks for all the advice guys. Sorry I should have been more clearer. I was looking for advice on the hard line fittings for the brake lines only. Haven't gotten to the fuel plumbing stage yet. I'm just waiting to hear back from Mark and I'll likely order some Red Horse Performance fittings from him. Thanks again for all the replies and advice.