94 LeSabre brake lines - double flare or bubble flare?

Need to replace a brake line, but the flare nuts have broken off on both ends. So, I will need to go further up and down the lines to patch in and I'm not going to use compression fittings.

Since I'll need to customize some new lines, can anyone tell me if the 94 LeSabre uses double flare or bubble flare on the brake system lines/fittings?

If you are connecting to a brass block or a flex hose at the wheel, look inside the fitting you can see which line it uses, if you are patching lines in the middle use regular double flare and the matching unions.

If you are connecting to a brass block or a flex hose at the wheel, look inside the fitting you can see which line it uses, if you are patching lines in the middle use regular double flare and the matching unions.


Unfortunately, I have to do both.

The flex hose at the wheel seems to require bubble flare. The next good place in the line is up past the next junction which appears to be some type of coupler (very large for a plain old coupler - about 2" long and 5/8 " dia.). My guess is perhaps a check valve. There are two of these things, one in the line going to each rear brake. They're both located underneath left side of the vehicle about where the rear doors ends.

These fittings broke when trying to remove them and that was after three days of soaking with Kroil. So, not only do I have to cut the line and flare it further upstream where it's not rusted, I also need to fab the lines and flare them so I can put new check valves (or what ever they are) back in the lines.

What a PITA... :banghead:

The fitting to the hose is a bubble flare, more than likely they all are, you will need the tools to make these flares if you have to custom make any line lengths. Get the new corrosion proof coated brake lines also. Just did a job just like this in my shop, correct, a PITA, some heat on the fittings and I got them all out, a ticklish job and dangerous.

Brake lines are a beast. If you have a u-pick junk yard around, you can get the exact right line for your car without the hassle of building one. If not, get the length close with pre-done lengths and just make a loop somewhere if you have to in order to make it fit. Secure the line to the car as best you can. Use zip ties as a minimum.

Sometimes I'm a glutton for punishment. Besides, the nearest salvage is almost 40 miles each way so with my time and gas, it's probably cheaper in the long run to not go that way.

I ordered the bubble flare tool yesterday. $40 for the OTC model 6504, which, BTW looks exactly the same as the >$100 Blue Point tool I've seen recommended.

Looking a little further, it's probably going to come in handy anyway. :runaround: