Brake line- british same as American?

[Jerry]

I just had a guy that owns a British repair shop tell me that the brake flares on american cars will work on our british cars. I would like your opinions since I just need a 14inch piece with male ends.

Thanks

Jerry

 

[John Turney]

They've worked for me.

John

 

[dave0948]

My Sprite uses what I think are called "bugle flares" on all but the steel to rubber fittings for the brakes. When I replaced all of my brake/clutch lines last year, I found the bugle flares at AutoZone in a varity of lengths. You might take the piece you need to replace to them, or any good auto supply, and see what they have for a replacement.

Dave

 

[aeronca65t]

As I understand it, the standard (American) SAE 45 double flare is the same as the "Girling flare". Same thread on the male ends too.

An alternate Brit flare (which I *think* is more widely used on Lockheed brakes) is the "bubble flare", which I believe is more of a bell-shaped single flare. But again, they usually have the same thread on the male-end couplers.

I remember using American lines in a TR3, but it had Girling brake parts.

As Dave says, best bet is to bring in your old lines and match them up carefully.

Note: there are also 37 degree metric lines, but I doubt you'd mix these up with SAE/Girling sizes.

 

[CDK]

It is called inverted flair or inverted bubble and is a 3\8 24 thread pitch. I found various lengths at Advanced Auto Parts and they were labled British.

 

[CDK]

The hard part is to find female ends. For example going from rubber line to pipe to caliper. I did locate female couplers for this and they worked just fine.

 

[dave0948]

Now that you mention it, I think they were called bubble (not bugle) flares.

Dave

 

[Jerry]

I went down to the local NAPA and they now list the bubble flares with the correct ends. Very cheap to buy. They are made of bendable steel.
Last time I check with them, they did not carry these, or the parts guy did not know how to look them up.
Jerry