In order to have a clear picture of what the brake pipes are for and what role they play, you do not need to consider them as a separate element, you need to familiarize yourself with the entire brake system of the car. Thus, having understood the operation of the system as a whole, the task of the tubes will be clear. The braking system, superficially, works in this way: if it is necessary to slow down or to brake suddenly, the driver squeezes the corresponding pedal, and the piston in the master cylinder, under high pressure, begins to drive the fluid along special paths.

The very same braking or a complete stop of the car occurs at the moment, at the moment of converting the efforts of the fluid pressure on the wheel cylinders into the resistance of the brake pads. So, the paths along which the piston drives the fluid to the wheels consist of brake pipes and hoses. Failure of any part of the system leads to the breakdown of the entire braking system, and therefore, your car becomes unusable.

When is flaring required?

With poor fluid transfer through the pipes, the vehicle is braked with a delay, and the braking distance is almost doubled. Also, in the operation of the system, it is especially noticeable when the brake pedal is pressed, extraneous sounds appear, as well as some pulsating movements. The movement of the pedal, while pressing it, will seem a little free to you, this is very typical when the brake system, namely brake pipes and hoses, malfunctions. Also, one of the reasons for the malfunctioning of the tubes is the visible leakage of fluid and the brake system. This leakage will overheat the brake drums and cause uneven wear on the brake pads. Another sign may be the unusual behavior of the car when you press the pedal, namely, the car moves a little to the side. Of course, this is an indirect reason, but, according to experts, it may indicate a malfunction of the tubes.

The most obvious symptom that the tubes are beginning or have already worn out and it is time to engage in flaring is an increase in braking distance.

It is important to know that the main problems, due to which tubule breakage occurs quite often, are:

• destruction of the structure of the hex head;
• ingress of litter and dirt into the places of threaded connections or ingress and coking of liquid in these places.

The above mentioned troubles cause great harm not only to the elements, but to the entire system. If the owner wants to save the car from this kind of trouble, he should remember that it is necessary to test the car's brake system at least once a year. If we equate the elements and the system itself with mileage, then diagnostics must be carried out every 50,000 kilometers, and parts, in particular rubber tubes, change after 125 thousand kilometers, regardless of what technical condition they are.

Flaring instruction

Not every driver has a pleasant feeling about car repair. Many do not want to go under the hood and repair a breakdown at all, let alone the repair of parts, for the repair of which it is necessary to climb under the car. Yes, expanding pipes is not one of the pleasant jobs, but also not very difficult. The most important thing is that you can flare on your own, without paying any "specialists" at the service station. To perform this work qualitatively, you need to purchase a special device, the so-called "expanding machine". Such a set for flaring brake pipes, in which you can see a pipe cutter, a fitting, and pliers, can be purchased at any car store, moreover, its price is a penny compared to the cost of working at a service station. You also need to prepare some gasoline in a bottle to further lubricate the pipe and a drill for chamfering.

So let's look at detailed instructions on how to flare the brake pipe.

The tube is unscrewed by hand from the cylinder or caliper. A damaged area is determined on it, and if possible, we repair it, otherwise the tube is not suitable. So, with the help of a pipe cutter on the damaged area on the tube. After that, you need to process the serviceable cut edge of the tube with gasoline. Using pliers, we clamp the tube to create a connector for the fitting. We take a drill and drill of the required diameter and remove a little edge inside, make a chamfer. Then you need to clean the chip from the seat and insert the fitting into the tube. Now the most important thing is flaring. The flaring tool is applied as follows.

The end of the tube is inserted into the special holes of the machine so that a section of about five millimeters remains over the gripper and is clamped. The required part of the tube is processed by the mechanism. In the case when it is necessary to expand both ends of the pipe, then the second is performed in exactly the same scenario as the first edge. After completing all the above steps, you should have a neat extension. The size of the expansion can be varied on the machine, and it depends on the specification of the car and this is provided in the kit (you can see a special template in the kit).

So, summing up, we can say that the work of expanding the brake pipes is not very time-consuming and difficult. It is important to understand that most of the repair work relative to the iron friend can be easily performed on your own. And this is very important, because by correcting the breakdown personally, you can not only save money, but most importantly, it is possible to do the job better than any car mechanic. The main thing is to follow the instructions and remember that this is done exclusively for yourself.

Video "Replacing brake pipes on a car"

The recording shows how you can replace the brake pipes on a VAZ car.

mineavto.ru

Repair of brake pipes, self-flaring, tools and accessories

Every motorist should understand a little about the design of his car in order to be able to fix the malfunction with his own hands in the event of a repair, if possible. This is especially true for the braking system. Often, when it breaks down, flaring of the brake pipes is required, through which fluid is transmitted, when the pedal is pressed, from the cylinder to the pads.

Replacement signs

You can determine the malfunction of the tubes yourself with the following symptoms:

• Leakage of brake fluid from the system;
• Overheating of brake drums;
• Squeak when you press the pedal;
• Increase in brake pedal travel;
• The braking distance becomes longer;
• The wear of the pads is uneven.

Reasons for replacement

1. Corrosion occurrence;
2. Crack formation;
3. Sourness of the thread;
4. Environmental influences;
5. Poor attachment.

Flaring machine

Of course, if the pipes are faulty, you can drive the car to the service station and entrust the repair to specialists. But why spend money on something you can do yourself? To do this, you need to purchase a flaring tool in specialized stores or order online. It is available for inch or metric threads. The set includes a pipe cutter, a device, pliers, a clamp, dies for different diameters of tubes for flaring with fungus.

When buying a tool, you should pay attention to the manufacturer and cost. It is better not to buy the cheapest sets, since their quality does not contribute to long-term operation. This repair method is less expensive than in a car repair shop, and relatively easy.

Homemade device for repairing brake pipes

An even cheaper method is making a homemade device. With a desire and minimal skills to work with your hands, there is nothing difficult in this. First you need to make a base (frame) for attaching the tubes. You can assemble it from two steel corners. Cut the corners to the required length with a grinder, drill two holes in them for bolting. This is done in 15 minutes.

Having assembled the bed, you need to make holes for the tube, and chamfer on a drilling machine or drill. The most difficult is the manufacture of punches (mandrels). You can order them to a familiar turner.

Diy brake pipe flaring process

First, it is necessary to determine the degree of tube breakage and the possibility of repair. To do this, unscrew it from the caliper or brake cylinder. If it is possible to remove the damaged area while maintaining the desired length, cut this piece with a pipe cutter. After that, we process the remaining part with gasoline, clamp it with pliers and remove the inner chamfer with a drill. If it is impossible to carry out repairs, we buy a pipe in a store.

DIY tube repair instructions:

• We install the tube in the fixture (base). It is necessary that the end protrudes 5 mm beyond the edge;
• Change the cone to a stamp required for the tube diameter;
• We twist the stamp;
• We screw in the stamp and slightly flatten the end of the copper tube;
• We put on the fittings. Be sure not to forget, otherwise you will have to redo everything;
• Remove the stamp and change it to a cone-shaped tool;
• Gently, slowly, we twist;
• We take out the tube and clean it if necessary.

At the exit we have a new brake pipe under the cone. You can also flare the tube in another way, called "fungus". Usually, European-made cars use mushroom flaring, and Japanese and other Asian models use a "cone". To flare under the "fungus" you just need to not remove the required stamp.

Pros and cons of self flaring

The advantages of do-it-yourself flaring work include the fact that you will take the work responsibly and seriously and will be confident in the quality of the work performed. There is no need to pay someone for work, often an unreasonable price.

Of the minuses, it is worth noting that brake pipes do not fail very often and your tool may only be needed once. The exception is if you buy used high-mileage cars that have been kept in bad, unfavorable conditions or have been in accidents and change them quite often.

Doing it yourself according to the instructions or entrusting it to specialists has to be decided by each person individually, but it is always necessary to monitor the condition of the brake system and pipes, including!

znanieavto.ru

How to flare a brake pipe with your own hands: instructions, tools, video

Flaring brake pipes is a procedure that may be required at any time by someone who has their own car. Of course, the implementation of this and any other operation related to the maintenance and repair of a vehicle can always be entrusted to qualified specialists of service stations, but many motorists go the other way and try to do everything with their own hands. Each car owner has the right to decide for himself who to trust the maintenance of his vehicle, but many of these issues can be solved independently.

Learning to self-expand pipes is a snap.

Brake pipe functions

Brake pipes are an integral part of the braking system of any car, which is responsible for stopping it at the right moment. To understand the importance of such tubes for the operation of the brake system as a whole, you should at least superficially familiarize yourself with the principle of its operation.

So, the process of stopping the car, for which the braking system is used, consists of the following stages.

• If it is necessary to reduce the speed of the vehicle or to stop it completely, the driver presses the brake pedal.
• The master cylinder piston connected to the pedal is activated and begins to act on the brake fluid.
• Under high pressure communicated by the piston of the master cylinder, liquid begins to flow through pipes and hoses into the cylinders of each wheel, acting on their pistons.
• Under fluid pressure, the pistons act on the brake pads, which are pressed against the brake discs, stopping the rotation of the wheels.

Car brake system diagram

Obviously, brake pipes play a crucial role in the operation of the entire brake system, and if they break, it completely breaks down. That is why the repair of these elements, which includes the expansion of the brake pipes, should be approached with all responsibility.

When do you need to expand the brake pipes

Through the brake pipes, as mentioned above, high-pressure brake fluid is supplied to all elements of the system. When the capacity of such tubes deteriorates, the entire system begins to work ineffectively, which leads, in particular, to a significant increase in the stopping distance. The following characteristic signs may indicate that the elements of the brake system, including pipes, require diagnostics (and, possibly, repair):

• the appearance of extraneous sounds and pulsating movements when you press the brake pedal;
• free movement of the brake pedal when you press it;
• leakage of brake fluid, which leads to a decrease in pressure and, accordingly, to ineffective braking and intensive wear of the brake pads;
• driving the car to the side when braking (this situation, although it is an indirect sign, can also indicate that the brake pipes need to be repaired).

Old brake pipes in terrible condition should be urgently replaced even if there are no leaks

However, the main sign that the brake pipes do not fully perform their functions and require flaring is an increase in the braking distance. The most common causes of deterioration in the performance of brake pipes are:

• violations in the design of the hex heads with which such tubes are equipped;
• deterioration of the quality and reliability of threaded connections, the ingress of debris or coked liquid into them.

Such malfunctions, negatively affecting the technical condition of individual elements of the brake system, significantly reduce the efficiency of its operation. That is why experts and car manufacturers recommend diagnosing it once every six months. If you are tied to the mileage, then this procedure must be performed every 50,000 km of run, and the replacement of rubber tubes, regardless of their technical condition, must be done every 125,000 km of vehicle run.

Technology features

Car repair, whatever it is associated with, rarely causes pleasant emotions in the motorist. This is also explained by the fact that such an event, as a rule, is associated with certain financial costs. Meanwhile, if we talk about a situation in which it is necessary to expand the brake pipes, the cost of such a procedure can be minimized if you do it yourself.

So, in order to flare the brake pipes with your own hands, you need not only to study in detail the theoretical information on this issue and watch the corresponding video, but also to purchase a special device. The kit for flaring brake pipes, which can be obtained inexpensively at many automotive stores, includes the following tools and accessories:

• pipe cutter;
• fitting used as a connector;
• ticks.

The flaring kit usually includes a clamp for different tube sizes

Using such a simple set, to which you need to add a drill (in order to chamfer the ends of the pipes), as well as gasoline, which is necessary as a lubricant, you can not only perform flaring with your own hands, but also save a decent amount of money that would have to be paid to specialists service stations.

When replacing the tube with a new one, first make a copy based on the old

Immediately prior to flaring with a brake pipe, perform the following steps.

1. The tube is unscrewed with a tool or manually from the brake cylinder or caliper.
2. By visual inspection, the presence of damage on the surface of the tube is determined. If they are close to its edge, then the tube can be restored, if not, then it must be replaced with a new one.
3. Using a tool such as a pipe cutter, a damaged area is cut from the edge of the tube and the cut edge is processed with gasoline.
4. The cut end of the tube is clamped with pliers and a chamfer is removed in its inner part using a drill with a drill of the appropriate diameter.
5. The section of the inner surface of the tube, where the chamfer was removed, is cleaned of chips. After that, the end of the tube is inserted into a nipple that acts as a connector.

Gently shorten the tube using a special cutter

After all the above steps have been completed, the tube must be flared, for which it is best to use a special machine. Flaring carried out using such a machine is carried out according to the following algorithm.

1. The end of the tube to be flared is inserted into the clamping hole of the machine. In this case, the part of the tube protruding from the clamping mechanism of the machine should be approximately 5 mm.
2. Using a special punch, which such a machine is equipped with, the end of the tube is expanded.
3. If it is necessary to expand the second end of the tube, the entire procedure described above is performed in the same sequence.

We squeeze the die with a press, visually monitoring the formation of fungus, and we get a high-quality crimped tube

As a result of flaring using such a device, with the rules and subtleties of working with which it is best to get acquainted with the video, the end of the brake pipe becomes neatly expanded. The use of a special machine allows you to adjust the parameters of such an expansion, because for braking systems used on cars of different brands, they can seriously differ. As a rule, in special kits, with which you can flare the brake pipes with your own hands, there is also a template that allows you to monitor the result of a technological operation.

Unfolding the end of the tube using a special knife located on the back of the cutter

Thus, it is not difficult to expand the tubes used in the braking system of a car if you use special tools and devices for this. Performing such a flaring with your own hands, you not only save money, but also fully control the process of performing a technological operation, the results of which depend on the performance of your vehicle. In such cases, you should always remember that the car locksmith does not do the work for himself, and therefore treats it accordingly. In order not to worry about the results of self-repairing your vehicle, you must adhere to a few simple recommendations:

• strict adherence to instructions, which can be video;
• using only high-quality tools, fixtures and consumables for flaring;
• strict control at all stages of the implementation of repair measures.

By following these recommendations, you will be able not only to flare the brake pipes with high quality, but also to perform many other work related to the maintenance and repair of your car, without worrying about the result of these activities.

met-all.org

Flaring brake pipes

The vehicle's braking system is the foundation of safety and needs professional maintenance. After all, the safety of driving a car depends on it. Today we will tell you about the most terrible breakdowns of the brake system, we will describe in detail what the expansion of brake pipes is, what it is for and with what tools it is performed.

Brake system malfunctions

Almost all drivers know that the braking system of a car consists of a control drive, distribution systems and executive (working bodies). All parts of the braking system are connected by means of brake pipes (lines). Pressurized brake fluid moves through these tubes. In the process of pressing the brake pedal, the pressure on the TJ rises and it acts on the working member of the system, which locks the wheel and stops the vehicle completely.

During the operation of the brake system, the following malfunctions may occur:

• Leakage of brake pipes and pistons in which the fluid is under pressure.
• Mechanical breakdown of working bodies. This includes all kinds of jamming of the brake cylinders, etc.
• Violation of pedal free play. Such a malfunction constitutes discomfort to the driver when operating the car.

In this article, we will focus on the first malfunction - a violation of the tightness of the connection of the brake pipes with the working mechanisms.

Automotive brake fluid contains acid, which adversely affects sheet metal products. In addition, constant exposure to the environment can lead to corrosion on metal parts. In this regard, the joints of the brake pipes with the working parts of the system may corrode and begin to release a special fluid from the brake system. The other side of the problem is the appearance of air in the system. This phenomenon reduces the pressure inside the brakes and contributes to the deterioration of the vehicle's braking properties.

To save money on buying new brake pipes, drivers go to rebuild the old pipe, which is very successful. This process is called flaring.

Flaring brake pipes using a set and tool

Flaring is any deformation or change in the shape of the tube, which is later attached to a special product that connects the tube to the working body of the system.

This concept also applies to the braking system of a car. In order to perform flaring work, you must have a special flaring kit. It includes a set of accessories such as a cutting device, a deforming device and a set of tools for tapping the brake pipe.

To carry out flaring work, it is necessary to place the car on an inspection pit or overpass and immobilize it. The brake fluid is drained from the reservoir and the brake master cylinder. After carrying out all the measures, it is recommended to replace it with a new one, so as not to climb under the car again in the future. Unscrew the union of the damaged brake pipe from its seat, and then remove it from the tube itself.

Cut off the damaged section of the line, about 5 centimeters. To cut the pipe, you need to install it in a special device and walk the blade around the entire circumference. After that, the cut end of the pipe is processed to get rid of irregularities that can disrupt the shape of the pipe, and therefore its tightness of the connection.

After that, fix the end of the pipe in a special device and insert the rolling fungus into it. A threaded shaft is placed on top of the fungus, which is attached to another locking device. By turning the lever, the shape of the cut pipe part changes. Then, depending on the presence or absence of thread, it is cut on the pipe. In most cases, all brake pipes are manufactured without it.

Place the new end of the tube into the retainer and tighten the retaining nut. Before installing a new tube, it is necessary to clean the sealed part from grease. To do this, it is enough to treat it with acetone or gasoline. After all these measures, the fitting is installed in its place, brake fluid is poured into the system, it is pumped over and after that the car can be used again.

Video - How and how to flare the tips of the brake pipes

This completes the flaring of the brake pipes. As you can see, this is not a complicated procedure and almost any motorist who will have a flaring kit and other garage inventory will be able to handle it.

The horse is not made of iron. Although retirees call it that, the car is only partially made of steel. The rest is plastic, rubber, glass and non-ferrous metals, which need special attention. Today we will talk about how to properly handle the copper and aluminum tubes that are simply strewn across a modern car.

Non-ferrous metal tubes in vehicle systems

We will not touch the radiators for now, this is a separate topic. Let's take an interest in the pipes that are responsible for the operation of the brake and fuel systems of the car. Rotten brake pipes are a problem not only for old Soviet cars, but also for newer foreign cars that have been driving along roads generously sprinkled with salt and all kinds of chemicals for several years. Tubes become unusable primarily due to the fact that they are affected by an aggressive chemical environment. In winter, under the wheels of this environment - full. With a human road surface, salt comes off the roads along with snow, and with our roads, it can lie until next winter.

Causes of brake pipe breakage

But this is not the only reason for the wear of the sealed tubes. They only rot from salt, and from constant strong constrictions of fittings, improper fixation, kinks and bends, they receive severe mechanical damage incompatible with life. The fault in this is not pipes, but would-be craftsmen who do not know how to properly handle soft or brittle metal. One way or another, and the time comes to replace the tubes, and if the desired configuration is not found, which is almost impossible, then you have to make the tube yourself. Cut off the desired piece, put on the fittings and flare. And you need to be able to do this. Do-it-yourself flaring of brake pipes is not difficult, fast, and inexpensive.

Set for flaring brake pipes

You cannot prepare copper tubing for use with your bare hands. To do this, you need to have at least minimal equipment. Although the metal is soft, the end of the tube must exactly match the landing cone, otherwise we will not achieve the tightness of the system. Ideally, a machine that needs to be purchased is used to expand the tubes, but if we have the opportunity, you can use a homemade kit, which, once done, we will use for many years. And it will come in handy more than once, believe me. Here is his drawing.

It does not represent anything complicated. This is a frame made of two corners with a thickness of 5 mm and a shelf of 32 mm. The length of each corner is 100 mm. The drawing shows that the kit is adapted for tubes with a diameter of 9 and 12 mm. The bed itself is completed in ten minutes with a sharpening machine, drilling machine and grinder. Both corners are fastened with two M8 bolts, holes and chamfers in them are drilled in the assembled state. The mandrels will either have to be ordered from a turner, which is not at all problematic, or you will have to grind yourself. But with the help of such a set, any tube turns into a perfectly prepared part. The flaring process takes place in the same way as with the use of the machine, which we will discuss further.

Brake pipe flaring machine

the simplest tube expanding machine will cost you 600-700 rubles. But this will not be the highest quality product. We would recommend not dropping below 1800, otherwise there is a chance to waste your money. We showed several sets and machines in the photo. One of them is more expensive, the second is cheaper, but they have the same essence.

The machine consists of a bar that holds the deckhouse. Actually, our homemade set also has the same structure, only the branded sets are mandatory:

More expensive models have even more equipment, but we will consider only the most minimal configurations.

Flaring can be of three types, but the first two are of little interest to us, because they are mainly used in refrigerators and air conditioners. Flaring works as follows:

Thus, we get a neat flared brake pipe, which can be safely replaced with an old one that is out of order. We cannot say that a tube flaring machine should be in every garage, but as a rule, the most valuable things are those that are not always at hand. Watch the condition of the braking system, and good luck on the road!

For the vast army of motorists who are accustomed to performing car repairs on their own, the appearance of new tools and devices in the arsenal of those already available is a self-evident inevitability. Today we are talking about repairs, which very often require replacement of brake pipes. These elements are more susceptible to external factors than others, which affects their condition. But they can be replaced only if there is a specialized tool with which the tubes are expanded. No tool - this operation will fail. This means that you still have to go to the nearest car service. Or go to a car dealership to become the owner of another very useful gadget.

The purpose of the brake pipes

Any hydraulic system needs lines through which fluid is supplied to the working mechanisms. The braking system of a car is no exception, but it has its own characteristics. They are associated with both the design of the brakes and the technical characteristics of the used working fluid, to which very strict requirements are imposed:

• it should not boil at temperatures exceeding 200 degrees;
• not to lose fluidity in forty-degree frost;
• not be aggressive towards the rubber parts of the brake system;
• do not lead to corrosion.

The last point is especially important for brake pipes, which are an integral part of the vehicle of a modern car. Let's consider the principle of operation of a typical braking system.

The algorithm for stopping the vehicle is associated with the following actions:

• the driver, when it becomes necessary to reduce the speed of the machine until it stops completely, presses the brake pedal with appropriate force;
• the pedal rod directly acts on the piston of the master brake cylinder, actuating it;
• the piston, moving in the cylinder, acts on, creating a certain phenomenon;
• a liquid, the compressibility of which is close to zero, moves along the highway and acts on the brake cylinders located on each of the wheels;
• the pistons transmit the impulse of movement to the brake pads, which, pressing against the discs, create a braking force, slowing down the rotation of the wheels.

In this chain, brake pipes are an integral part of the hydraulic line along which the working fluid moves. Their task is to prevent TJ leakage, therefore, the quality of their connection with other elements of the brake system is of particular importance. This is why a technological operation called flaring is used.

Its essence lies in the deformation of the end section of the tube in such a way as to uniformly increase its diameter (the opposite operation, which consists in narrowing the diameter of the tube tip, is called rolling). Flaring is needed in order to ensure the most tight connection of the tubes to each other or the tube to the manifold.

Since, as we have already noted, the brake pipes are subject to mechanical stress, they can get damaged, which caused the system to depressurize - in this case, an immediate operation is required to replace them. Normal wear and tear is the more common reason for replacing this brake system component.

The tube flaring procedure itself consists of three stages:

• definition between tube sheet and tube tip;
• flaring of both tubes and tubesheet;
• removing the damping load from the inner walls of the tube.

Deformation technology requires that the metal of the brake tube undergoes so-called plastic deformation, and the metal of the lattice - elastic deformation. To ensure this condition, the grid is made of a harder metal, which makes it possible, after the completion of the flaring stage, to “wrap” the tube completely.

Ensuring the required tightness of such a connection is carried out by applying the method of contact pressure formed between the outer surfaces of the contacting parts. In some cases, the technology for joining flared pipe ends involves the use of welding - this method is called combined.

In the factory, flaring is carried out using a special machine equipped with a hydraulic, pneumatic or electric drive, providing the ability to control the rotation speed. It is up to the drive to ensure the required connection reliability.

When replacing brake pipes, flaring is carried out using a special tool that can be purchased at a car dealer.

When flaring brake pipes is required

Brake fluid that meets a number of the above requirements is highly hygroscopic, that is, the ability to absorb moisture. This is a payback for a unique set of characteristics, which is why complete tightness of the line is so important. is fraught with the fact that under the influence of high temperature, it significantly increases the compressibility of the liquid. And this means that pressing the brake pedal will lead to the actual braking with a certain delay, which is unacceptable for safety reasons. And the more air there is in the system, the more noticeable the delay will be.

Depressurization is manifested by a very specific symptomatology - a significant increase in the braking distance, pedal failures and the appearance of extraneous sounds during braking.

Fluid leaks are usually accompanied by overheating of the brake drums as the boiling point of the fluid diluted with air drops noticeably. As a result, brake pads begin to wear more intensively and, which is especially unpleasant, unevenly.

Another clear sign of a violation of the integrity of the brake line is the departure of the car during braking from the original trajectory.

Note that the breakage of the brake pipes (or rather, the need to replace them) can be caused by other reasons:

• deformation and cracks of the hex head;
• clogging of threaded connections;
• coking of the brake fluid at the interfaces.

Not a single car is insured against such troubles, therefore it is so important to periodically (at least once a year) test the brake system as a whole. Diagnostics of the components of the brake line should be carried out every 50, routine replacement of rubber hoses and tubes is performed every 125 thousand kilometers, regardless of their condition.

And since replacing these elements requires special processing, we will consider how to expand the brake pipe with our own hands and what tools are required for this.

Self flaring

In industrial conditions, special high-strength shafts are used to expand pipes, while the profile of the end of the pipes is formed as a result of repeated rolling. Such a rolling machine allows deformation to be performed as accurately and uniformly as possible.

When self-expanding, kits are usually used, which can be purchased online or in specialized stores. This kit includes a pipe cutter, a clamp, and dies with holes of different diameters (with metric or inch sizes) for flaring using a taper screw.

Many car owners, in order to flare the brake pipe at home, use a more primitive method that does not require the purchase of the above-described device - a conical blank with the desired angle. If the tube is made of copper (these are not often found now - manufacturers in order to save massively switch to metal), it has sufficient plasticity to perform such an operation on their own. But from you it is required not just force, but precisely metered efforts when pulling the tip of the copper tube onto the cone. Any misalignment upon impact - and the result may be unsatisfactory: from the rupture of the rolled surface in the place where the stronger impact fell, to the jam of the surface that is too thinned with such processing. So this method can hardly be recommended as acceptable - it should be used only if absolutely necessary.

Much more predictable results are obtained using an expander. Here, you will also need to apply physical force, but the process itself is simplified, since the pipe is pulled onto one of the replaceable nozzles using a rotating handle.

The expander allows you to expand the tube to the required diameter quickly enough, in just one approach, however, here, one hundred percent result is not guaranteed. The main guarantee of success is the quality of the pipe itself. If it is bad, that is, the walls are not perfectly even (they have different thicknesses in a certain area being processed), then in this case, thin walls will stretch more, thick ones less, and as a result, the flaring will not be ideal. Attempts to "put the squeeze" on the connection can end in disastrous - its breakage or crushing.

The classic tool for flaring brake pipes is a set of rollers made of tungsten carbide materials. The rolls are rolled over the surface of the pipe being processed, each time with increasing force. As a result, flaring is performed smoothly, and all the troubles that are typical for more primitive tools are impossible here. Each new revolution of the rollers increases the diameter of the workpiece by a minimum amount, and such a gradual stretching is very well tolerated by the metal.

A similar method is applicable even for a non-ideal workpiece, since in the presence of sections with thicker walls, they are rolled to the required size, while the surface of the tube becomes even and smooth, without any defects and roughness.

Another common flaring method is the use of a solid cone, which is pressed with a certain force into a tube that has been previously fixed in a vice. The quality of this method is comparable to the use of shafts, but here it is important to stop at exactly that pressing depth, which corresponds to the required flaring diameter.

Of course, the ideal solution would be to purchase a finished factory-made machine. But if you belong to the category of craftsmen who try to do everything on their own, including rarely used tools, a flare tool for copper pipes can also be made at home. Without this tool, it will not be possible to ensure a reliable connection of the brake pipes.

The main condition is that metal blanks must be strong, this will allow the device to be used for decades. The design of such a flare tool is quite simple - it is a frame made of two equal-sized corners.

We need the following tools and materials:

• drilling machine;
• sharpening machine;
• bulgarian;
• corners (100 x 32 x 5 mm., 2 pcs.);
• mandrels (you can make it yourself or ask a turner to grind it);
• bolts М8 (2 pcs.).

The tool itself for flaring is very simple: both corners are fastened using a bolted connection, after which holes are drilled in the base of the bed, at the edge of which a chamfer is made. A tool like this will allow you to perform almost perfect flaring of the brake pipes, regardless of their length.

The algorithm for processing pipes with such a home-made device practically does not differ from the method of flaring using a purchased factory machine:

• install the workpiece in the holder and fix it in such a way that the outer edge being processed protrudes about 5-6 millimeters beyond the edges;
• we install a cone of a suitable diameter on the tube;
• after wearing the fittings, we make sure that the direction of the thread turned out to be multidirectional (when viewed from the side of the workpiece tip, the thread should be directed away from each other);
• we begin to screw the cone into the workpiece, which will lead to a uniform flattening of the tube edge. You need to work slowly, making sure that the cone does not go deeper than the set value;
• take out the part, carefully get rid of the burrs.

As a result, we get a neat, high-quality flared part that can be used for its intended purpose. Your first experience may not be very successful, but if you get the hang of it, you can work the edges of the brake pipes as well as using the factory tools.

Pros and cons of diy tube flaring

There is no doubt that while working for yourself, you will treat all stages of the technological process with the greatest possible responsibility and diligence. Of course, in this case, you will not need to go somewhere and pay someone to do such work.

But there are also obvious disadvantages - we have already given the approximate timing of the scheduled replacement of brake pipes. And since they fail relatively rarely, it is quite possible that you will have to use the purchased or self-made tools once, at most twice. However, if you own a heavily worn car, it is likely that the tubes will have to be replaced much more often.

Do-it-yourself flaring of brake pipes is a simple task, but subject to the availability of a specialized tool. And what is more profitable - to buy it, make it yourself, or still take the pipes to specialists, you must decide for yourself. The main thing is that the braking system of your car is always in perfect condition.

If you have your own car, then you are simply obliged to study its design and mechanisms from time to time, so that in the future, in the event of a breakdown, you can repair it yourself. And in general, every motorist should understand cars, at least within the limits of his car, and in the event of the slightest deviation from its normal operation, he was able to prevent the failure of any part or the whole mechanism in time. For those who are just learning to understand a car, I will tell you about what is brake pipe flaring. Also, everyone can find out what a brake pipe is and how it is used for a car.

In order to have a clear picture of what the brake pipes are for and what role they play, you do not need to consider them as a separate element, you need to familiarize yourself with the entire brake system of the car. Thus, having understood the operation of the system as a whole, the task of the tubes will be clear. The braking system, superficially, works in this way: if it is necessary to slow down or to brake suddenly, the driver squeezes the corresponding pedal, and the piston in the master cylinder, under high pressure, begins to drive the fluid along special paths.

The very same braking or a complete stop of the car occurs at the moment, at the moment of converting the efforts of the fluid pressure on the wheel cylinders into the resistance of the brake pads. So, the paths along which the piston drives the fluid to the wheels consist of brake pipes and hoses. Failure of any part of the system leads to the breakdown of the entire braking system, and therefore, your car becomes unusable.

When is flaring required?

With poor fluid transfer through the pipes, the vehicle is braked with a delay, and the braking distance is almost doubled. Also, in the operation of the system, it is especially noticeable when the brake pedal is pressed, extraneous sounds appear, as well as some pulsating movements. The movement of the pedal, while pressing it, will seem a little free to you, this is very typical when the brake system, namely brake pipes and hoses, malfunctions. Also, one of the reasons for the malfunctioning of the tubes is the visible leakage of fluid and the brake system. This leakage will overheat the brake drums and cause uneven wear on the brake pads. Another sign may be the unusual behavior of the car when you press the pedal, namely, the car moves a little to the side. Of course, this is an indirect reason, but, according to experts, it may indicate a malfunction of the tubes.

The most obvious symptom that the tubes are beginning or have already worn out and it is time to engage in flaring is an increase in braking distance.

It is important to know that the main problems, due to which tubule breakage occurs quite often, are:

• destruction of the structure of the hex head;
• ingress of litter and dirt into the places of threaded connections or ingress and coking of liquid in these places.

The above mentioned troubles cause great harm not only to the elements, but to the entire system. If the owner wants to save the car from this kind of trouble, he should remember that it is necessary to test the car's brake system at least once a year. If we equate the elements and the system itself with mileage, then diagnostics must be carried out every 50,000 kilometers, and parts, in particular rubber tubes, change after 125 thousand kilometers, regardless of what technical condition they are.

Flaring instruction

Not every driver has a pleasant feeling about car repair. Many do not want to go under the hood and repair a breakdown at all, let alone the repair of parts, for the repair of which it is necessary to climb under the car. Yes, expanding pipes is not one of the pleasant jobs, but also not very difficult. The most important thing is that you can flare on your own, without paying any "specialists" at the service station. To perform this work qualitatively, you need to purchase a special device, the so-called "expanding machine". Such a set for flaring brake pipes, in which you can see a pipe cutter, a fitting, and pliers, can be purchased at any car store, moreover, its price is a penny compared to the cost of working at a service station. You also need to prepare some gasoline in a bottle to further lubricate the pipe and a drill for chamfering.

So let's look at detailed instructions on how to flare the brake pipe.

The tube is unscrewed by hand from the cylinder or caliper. A damaged area is determined on it, and if possible, we repair it, otherwise the tube is not suitable. So, with the help of a pipe cutter on the damaged area on the tube. After that, you need to process the serviceable cut edge of the tube with gasoline. Using pliers, we clamp the tube to create a connector for the fitting. We take a drill and drill of the required diameter and remove a little edge inside, make a chamfer. After that, you need to clean the seat of chips and insert a fitting into the tube. Now the most important thing is flaring. The flaring tool is applied as follows.

The end of the tube is inserted into the special holes of the machine so that a section of about five millimeters remains over the gripper and is clamped. The required part of the tube is processed by the mechanism. In the case when it is necessary to expand both ends of the pipe, then the second is performed in exactly the same scenario as the first edge. After completing all the above steps, you should have a neat extension. The size of the expansion can be varied on the machine, and it depends on the specification of the car and this is provided in the kit (you can see a special template in the kit).

So, summing up, we can say that the work of expanding the brake pipes is not very time-consuming and difficult. It is important to understand that most of the repair work relative to the iron friend can be easily performed on your own. And this is very important, because correcting the breakdown personally, you can not only save money, but most importantly, it is possible to do the job better than any car mechanic. The main thing is to follow the instructions and remember that this is done exclusively for yourself.

Video "Replacing brake pipes on a car"

The recording shows how you can replace the brake pipes on a VAZ car.

Trouble-free operation of the brakes is perhaps the most important factor that affects the degree of road safety and vehicle use. The basis for immediate repair and replacement of brake pipes is the slightest suspicion of malfunction of these simple but important parts of the braking system.

A malfunction of the supply lines leads to the failure of the entire braking device, and can entail the most dire consequences. Strict supervision of the tightness of the brake pipes and the places of their connection with the actuators is the basis for the safe operation of vehicles.

The Tekhkom company manufactures brake pipes in Moscow and the Moscow region. Tekhkom's own products, which it produces for brake systems of various vehicles, are in no way inferior in technical characteristics to products of well-known brands.

The manufacture of brake pipes for foreign cars and domestic cars, in the company's shops equipped with modern technology, takes literally a few minutes, while the manufacturing cost is much lower in price compared to standard factory-made products.

Tehcom uses only proven steel and copper tubing parts. There is a possibility of equipping with any types of tips and expanding pipes for connecting elements of brake systems with hydraulic, pneumatic or mixed drive, for almost all brands of cars.

The service for the manufacture of brake pipes includes:

1. Recommendations of experts on the choice of material, depending on the type of car and its operating conditions.
2. Cutting pipe sections of the required length. The size is determined from the catalog or from the sample of the product that is out of order.
3. Selection of the appropriate type of threaded tip or other type of fittings.
4. Rolling tube endings for the most common types of connections used by both European and Asian car manufacturers. These are, respectively, the "fungus" and "inner cone" types.
5. Bending tubes according to a template or sample.

The price of products to a rather insignificant extent depends on the number of operations performed, since they are all made on modern semi-automatic equipment and the labor intensity of the process is relatively small. The main influence on the cost is the material and size of the products. Steel parts are cheaper, but they rust quite quickly, especially in winter when the roads are sprinkled with various chemicals.

In addition, the rigid steel brake lines are difficult to fit on site. Despite the higher cost, one should give preference to the manufacture of copper brake pipes, which are practically not susceptible to corrosion, are durable and, due to the plasticity of the material, are easily installed even in the most inaccessible places.

The lion's share of road accidents is due to the failure of car brakes. Damaged brake pipes are a common cause of these failures. Be vigilant and even in case of the most insignificant, at first glance, their malfunction, contact the service centers of "Techcom" in Moscow. The company will provide fast and high-quality production of pipes for brake systems of any car. Don't endanger your life and the lives of those around you.