What Size Brake Line Do I Need?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Disc brake cars use

3/16” tubing

and drum brake cars use 1⁄4” tubing. If you are building a street rod that has front discs, the entire system is typically plumbed in 3/16” tube.

How do I know my brake line size?

How do I tell what size (diameter) my brake lines are without fancy tools?

Look at the master cylinder where the lines are near each other to see if there are two sizes of tubing

. You can also use a 1/4′′ open end wrench to qauge your lines. It will fit easily onto 1/4′′ line and will bang back and forth on 3/16′′ line.

What is the standard size brake line?

Brake lines are most often

3/16- or 1/4-inch diameter

and, while there will be no pressure difference between the two, there will be a difference in the amount of fluid delivered.

Are bigger brake lines better?


The larger size of the lines should make absolutely no difference

. What DOES make a difference is the ratio of the stroke volume of your MC piston to the volume displace by your caliper piston (pistons in your case).

What size brake line is best?

To keep your build simple, it's recommended to use the same size brake lines for both the front and rear brakes. We suggest

3/16-inch line

for most applications, although some rodders use 1/4-inch line.

How much is a brake line kit?

As mentioned, you should expect to pay

around $150 to $200

for your steel brake line repair. The brake line cost of just the parts is usually between $30 and $50, with the rest of the cost being the labor involved.

Can I splice a brake line?

Contrary to popular belief it is NOT illegal to make a new section of brake line and splice it into a non-rusted section of your old brake, as long as you use

automotive

grade SAE double/inverted flare, SAE “bubble” flare and DIN Single Mushroom flare unions and fittings.

Are brake lines Universal?

Are brake lines universal?

Yes

, brake lines are universal. As long as the brake lines for your vehicle have the proper sized fitting for attachment and the length is correct, the material is universal.

Is 3/16 brake line big enough?


There is no need for a larger line

, the 3/16th will move plenty of volume to meet the needs of (the pad is already near the rotor, so piston movement is minimal unless you have hardware problems) So there is no reason to run a larger line, the smaller line is lighter, easier to route, has less distortion/ …

Can I use a single flare on brake lines?

1.

Single Flares are only acceptable on low-pressure lines

, but not acceptable for high-pressure brake systems. A single flare is just as it sounds, the line is flared out just once in a conical shape. Single flares are not acceptable for brake lines and tend to crack and leak quite easily.

Are steel brake lines worth it?

Braided stainless steel brake lines can withstand the pressure associated with the brake system and don't swell. As a result, their lifespan is much longer. … Particularly for those who are racing and need optimal performance on a track, braided stainless steel brake lines are without question, a

worthwhile

investment.

Can I replace hard brake lines with braided?

Braided brake line will give you a

SOFTER pedal

if you replace hard line with it. You have now introduced an option for the line to expand where the original steel line could not expand at all.

What material is best for brake lines?

A

copper brake line

is the best quality brake lines you can buy for a longer-lasting life on any vehicle, farm vehicle and industrial vehicles alike. Copper tubing is easy to replace because it is a pliable and bendable product that can make bends and turns without breaking.

Can you change brake line size?

Second, you

can run 1/2 inch line

if you want, but it won't make a bit of difference. You're still going to be a) pushing brake fluid out a small hole in the master cylinder (tube seat) and back into a small hole in the brake caliper or wheel cylinder.

Do brake lines have to be the same length?

The brake lines in any car are going to vary not only in length from wheel to wheel but also in diameter from front to back. The

length of the brake lines does not affect braking power

. This is because the hydraulic pressure continues to be equal as long as the fluid levels are adequate and there is no air in the line.

What size fits a 3/8 brake line?

Thread Identification: Tips

The most commonly confused sizes are 3/8” with 10 mm, and 7/16” with 11 mm. The 3/8” x 24NF will screw into

M10 x 1 thread

but not the other way around, so always try to screw M10 x 1 into 3/8” x 24NF to see if you have a match.

Rebecca Patel
Author
Rebecca Patel
Rebecca is a beauty and style expert with over 10 years of experience in the industry. She is a licensed esthetician and has worked with top brands in the beauty industry. Rebecca is passionate about helping people feel confident and beautiful in their own skin, and she uses her expertise to create informative and helpful content that educates readers on the latest trends and techniques in the beauty world.