Anyone know where I can get metric hydraulic flare fittings. In particular, I am looking for an M12 x 1 fitting for a 6mm hydraulic line to the SLS control valve on my 84 300D wagon.

I have been ready to rebuild the control valve for a while, but I have been stopped in my tracks by a fitting that absolutely refuses to come loose. After using flare wrenches, torch, freon-freeze, PB blaster, and finally taking a vise grips to it, I mangled the fitting and it still will not come loose. I am going to have to cut the line and I will need to replace the fitting and re-flare the end.

Anyone have an old NG SLS valve...I will also need to replace the piece into which the high pressure (not return) line attaches to. It consists of a male end that threads into the SLS valve body, and a female end into which the 6mm metal line with the standard M12 x 1 bubble flare fitting threads into. In the MBZ manual, this piece is No. 31 in the diagram, and it is part no. 123 327 03 65.

I will also need to locate a bubble flare tool. Anyone ever use one? Is it easy?


The other option is to leave this stuck fitting in place and cut the line further up and just put in two standard Y-flare fittings and a connection block and use a standard single or double 45 deg. Y flare tool to flare the ends. But the local parts stores carry american 1/4 inch fittings and not 6mm metric fittings. I'm not sure if i can use 1/4 inch fittings on a 6 mm line which is slightly smaller than 1/4 inch.

This is a royal pain because once I cut the line I have to have everything I will need to fix it on hand since I cannot drive the car with the line cut.

I have never done this type of hydraulic line work, but I would rather invest in proper tools rather than pay a shop $100 or more to do this simple repair.

Any help or recommendations?

thanks,

Mark

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1984 300TD Wagon, 407,800 mi (current daily driver)
1985 300DT Sedan, 330,000 mi (gone to that great autobahn in the sky)

I used the harbor freight flaring tool on my brake line. It worked fine; I did have a problem mating different brands of unions, though.

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Paul
2004 E500 4matic; 72,000mi

I used a standered (sae) when I did my breaks.


3 unions, and NO leaks.

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-1983 VW Rabbit LS Diesel (5speed, VNT/Giles build)

Mark, did you ever get answers to your questions above? I'm in the same boat now and I can't find anything on the forum(s) about this...

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Dave
Boise, ID
Check out my website photos, documents, and movies!

Federal Hill Trading Company

These guys have everything and anything you need.

I got My Bubble Flaring Kit on eBay; if the SLS uses a Bubble Flare.

Some People have used the Hydralic Repair type Unions pictured on rusted through Brake Lines. Autozone sells them and of couse other places do also.

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84 300D, 82 Volvo 244Gl Diesel

Link to other forum thread with good info:
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/219767-tips-making-successful-bubble-flares.html


I ordered an OTC 4504 "Stinger ISO Bubble Flaring Tool Kit", which had decent reviews on Amazon. I'm not expecting much from a $30 tool. Professional grade flare tools are in the $300-$500 range, although these usually can do standard, double, and bubble flares (which are all different, btw).
http://www.amazon.com/OTC-4504-Stinger-Bubble-Flaring/dp/B0015PMZMU/


Beware of flare tools that are not specifically for metric bubble flares.... most flare tools will do singe & double flares only, not bubble (ISO / DIN) flares. The MB SLS valve has bubble flares.

Also, I found that AGS makes 6mm "Poly Armour" line in fixed lengths, with the correct M6x1.0 fittings for the SLS vavle. Amazingly, these are available through a number of McParts stores including Car Quest, O' Reillys, Advance, and I actually was able to get the line from Auto Zone - they had it in stock! They also had the 6mm fittings. I used line PA-720 and fitting BLF-51C-5 (which is a pack of 5). Nobody had the flare tool locally so I'm waiting for that to arrive on Friday/Saturday. Link to AGS 6mm lines:
http://www.agscompany.com/automotive/brake-fuel-transmission-lines/poly-armour/320

Oddly, the hardest part was locating the bubble flare union fitting. Almost no vendor had this in stock, Auto Zone had the AGS union BLU-10 but with a mininum order qty of 100. I found another union via Automotive Aftermarket Supply (on Amazon) but it may take 3-7 days to arrive:
http://www.amazon.com/AAS-Bubble-Flare-Brake-277000/dp/B006HI6FRG/

I also found a Mercedes part number that might possibly maybe be a 6mm union, I ordered one, and will compare to the aftermarket stuff. If it is correct, I'll post the part number & photos.

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Dave
Boise, ID
Check out my website photos, documents, and movies!

I was pointed in that direction first... their Cunifer™ line is pretty awesome. But they did not have a 6mm bubble flare union, and their only tool was ~$400... and out of stock. Their rental tool does not do bubble flares. It looks like their Cunifer line is much, much easier to work with though, so if you're doing more than one or two small sections, it's probably worth investing in a bulk roll with the appropriate fittings.

AutoZone also carries rolls of Cunifer type line as well as lengths of Cunifer type lines of various lengths flared and with fittings. The price for 25' of 4.75 mm was just less than $50 which is about 3 times the cost of plain steel about twice that of coated steel and about 1/20th the aggravation when installing it, especially any where you have a tight bend or when it has to be run up over the rear subframe!

There are pliers-type tools that are capable of in place bending tight radius curves that are very useful when it comes to lining up the line fitting into the corresponding fitting. MAC, Corwell and Snap-On all have some variation of these, again the $40 for the line bending pliers is inexpensive when you're fighting to get things in place and you end up crimping the line you just made up with flares and fittings. I have a pair of these and Eastwood has a pair that fits multiple line sizes:

http://www.denlorstools.com/home/dt1/page_45095/v_8_tools_806_316_tubing_bending__plier.htmlEastwood Brake Line Forming Tool Pliers - Brake Line Bender - Brake Tubing Forming Pliers

6 mm line you'd need these

V-8 Tools 809 5/16" Tubing Bender/Pliers | Tube Flaring, Bending and Cutting


When doing the flares keep reminding yourself to make sure the fittings are on the line section first! And use a drop or two of, in your case SLS fluid to lube the die and the line as you make the flares to keep things from galling as they are formed, that will help get nice symetrical flares.

If the line union you've ordered from elsewhere turns out not to be what you need, after searching around on fedhill I found this which might do the trick:

The Eastwood pliers look great. I need to add those to my tool wish list.



Great reminders here. I've read the trick about lubricating the die to help the flare turn out correctly. I plan to practice a few times before doing the final flare.


Yep, that's what I needed. I can't find that item anywhere on their website, except as part of a $100 assortment. Strange. Their website really needs some housekeeping... the 6mm section is glaringly empty.

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Dave
Boise, ID
Check out my website photos, documents, and movies!

I do not believe this type of fitting would be safe for brake lines...
it's an outside compression fitting, not a flare of any kind...

__________________
John HAUL AWAY, OR CRUSHED CARS!!! HELP ME keep the cars out of the crusher! A/C Thread
"as I ride with my a/c on... I have fond memories of sweaty oily saturdays and spewing R12 into the air. THANKS for all you do!

My drivers:
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5-5SPEED!!!

1987 300TD
1987 300TD
1994GMC 2500 6.5Turbo truck... I had to put the ladder somewhere!

That is correct. I would not recommend using an external compression fitting for line repair. If an SLS patch failed, you'd just make a mess, but it would be downright dangerous on brake lines. Always use the correct flare tool and matching unions!

Click the link below for a great PDF showing the different types of flare (double/SAE vs bubbble/ISO/DIN).

http://www.fedhillusa.com/webnuts/common%20flares6.pdf

Yeah, the website is the definition of "clunky"

Here's the page with that particular union listed

FedHill Brake Line - Where to buy brake line, fuel line, brake line flaring tools, brake line nuts and brake line fittings

they have a link to their PDF catalog on those pages that brings up a document which has photos of most of the nuts and fittings also.

In the past they listed a 3/16"/4.75 mm compression union rated at 6000PSI that ought to suffice for a quick and dirty brakeline splice when used in pairs, I agree with doing it correct with flairs but in a pinch or a bad place such a fitting should exceed any brake system specs.

If people have any questions call fedhill they are very helpful even if they don't have exactly what you're looking for.

Yup, that looks like the correct union. I hope that price isn't $16 each though...! Yikes!!