• Mustang Forums
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
  • 1994 - 1995 Specific Tech

Brakes 1995 3.8 - What kind of bubble flare??

  • Thread starter Thread starter mstang95
  • Start date Start date Aug 18, 2018
  • Tags Tags
    brake line brakes flare
M

mstang95

5 Year Member
May 6, 2018
22
1
13
Pennsylvania
Aug 18, 2018
#1
  • Aug 18, 2018
  • #1
I'm replacing a couple brake lines on my '95 V6, and boy am I having a time. I'm trying to do this strange bubble flare that's on the ABS end and also that goes into the fitting that connects to the line heading to the rear.

I have the Eastwood vise mounted flare tool, but no matter what I try, I can't seem to get the same flare. The ones I do are just a bit more round, whereas the flare on the factory line is very wide and flat - I've attached an image.

Does anyone know what this flare is and what it takes to make it? Perhaps the bubble flares I am making on the Eastwood would seal anyway, even if they're not exactly the same? I can attach a picture of one of those if it would be helpful.

Thank you!!
 

Attachments

  • IMG_20180811_110934948.webp
    160.3 KB · Views: 524

Mustang5L5

That is…until I whipped out my Bissell
Mod Dude
Feb 18, 2001
43,260
17,945
224
Massachusetts
Aug 18, 2018
#2
  • Aug 18, 2018
  • #2
It's a bubble flare. No real special type. Modern brake lines are either double/inverted flare, or bubble flare.

What do yours look like? Have you tried to install it? Keep in mind that fitting has been installed. Try to install one of yours and then remove and check
 
M

mstang95

5 Year Member
May 6, 2018
22
1
13
Pennsylvania
Aug 18, 2018
#3
  • Aug 18, 2018
  • #3
Mustang5L5 said:
It's a bubble flare. No real special type. Modern brake lines are either double/inverted flare, or bubble flare.

What do yours look like? Have you tried to install it? Keep in mind that fitting has been installed. Try to install one of yours and then remove and check
Click to expand...

Here are a couple of mine. The Eastwood tool has "operation 1 4.75mm DIN" and "operation 1 3/16", so I'm not totally sure which I'm supposed to be using to make a bubble flare. The pin in the center of the 4.75mm "DIN" one is more cone-shaped, while the pins in every other one are straight, yet the regular 3/16" operation 1 fits perfectly into the factory bubble while the "DIN" does not. The manual for the tool says you have a bubble flare after operation 1, and then if you do operation 2 you get a double flare, whereas they have a video online where a guy says you use the DIN setting to get a bubble flare. I would just call and ask them to clarify but they are not open on weekends and I was hoping to get it done during the weekend.




And here is the factory line, followed by some brand new line with the same flare:


 

jozsefsz

15 Year Member
Aug 11, 2013
1,243
332
124
Cleveland OH Area
Aug 20, 2018
#4
  • Aug 20, 2018
  • #4
Well, it's past the weekend, not sure if you have your answer.

I'm not sure about your particular tool, but mine has different dies for bubble vs double flares.
Yours looks like it's truly making the "part 1" of a double-flare operation - more "flat" at the top and ready to be pushed into the tube to form the double-flare.

This is the tool I have: Amazon product ASIN B00AOTBVJQView: https://www.amazon.com/Cal-Van-Tools-165-Master-Flaring/dp/B00AOTBVJQ


The black dies are for the 1st step of a double-flaring operation.
The chrome dies are for a bubble flare.
The chrome ones have a different shape, and result in a more pronounced bubble.

The brake lines are 3/16".
A 4.75mm die should fit a 3/16" line, 3/16" is ~4.76mm.
In my kit, a 4.75mm bubble die is provided, no separate 3/16" since they're close enough, and as bubble flares are generally sized metric.

I wouldn't worry about whether or not the tool pushes into an existing, used flare, or the shape of that flare. Those are crushed to some degree on installation. As long as the die fits nicely into your new brake line and has the right shape the result will work.

The diagram below is handy - SAE fittings (like 3/16) will result in a single flare like the one at the left.
DIN (metric) fittings (like 4.75mm bubble) will give you a fitting like the one in the middle. Yours looks like that to me.
You'll notice the fitting is shaped a little differently to accept the different shape of the formed line.
The 3rd picture is a double-flare, those are pretty much the same on both.

 
Last edited: Aug 20, 2018
M

mstang95

5 Year Member
May 6, 2018
22
1
13
Pennsylvania
Aug 20, 2018
#5
  • Aug 20, 2018
  • #5
I went with the DIN setting on my tool and it seems to have worked, so, I don't know what else to say about that lol. Thanks for your replies!!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

How to Route Subframe-Style Intermediate Brake Line?
  • cnorman31
  • Nov 29, 2025
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
Replies
0
Views
107
1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk- Nov 29, 2025
cnorman31
Engine Random Misfire at idle.
  • Gulftown980x
  • Jul 29, 2026
  • SN95 4.6L Mustang Tech
Replies
11
Views
210
SN95 4.6L Mustang Tech Jul 31, 2026
squeak93
A
Hello! Registered here not long ago
  • Alcatraz1862
  • Feb 25, 2026
  • The Welcome Wagon
Replies
2
Views
198
The Welcome Wagon Feb 25, 2026
gkomo
R
What's it Worth? 1997 Cobra, a ton of mods and restoration
  • riored97snake
  • Jun 18, 2026
  • What is it Worth?!?!?
Replies
2
Views
193
What is it Worth?!?!? Jun 21, 2026
riored97snake
R
M
Progress Thread mnky99 2001 V6 evap core, ac compressor, heater core replacement
  • mnky99
  • Sep 5, 2025
  • 1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk-
Replies
1
Views
522
1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk- Sep 5, 2025
mnky99
M
Share:
Bluesky Email Share Link
  • Mustang Forums
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
  • 1994 - 1995 Specific Tech
Menu
Log in

Register

  • Forums
  • What's new
  • Media
  • Resources
  • Contact
  • Sponsor
X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?

X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?