So if you lose brake pedal pressure and are leaking fluid, you probably have a rusted or broken brake line. It's a common problem on older vehicles that The first thing you need to do is have the proper tools. There are 2 popular types of brake line fittings. There are "bubble flare" and "double flare" lines and some vehicles will even use both types. I own both kits, but you can get away with just getting a "double flare" line kit.................
You will also need a small tubing cutter..................
After you locate your leak, you must determine if you can replace just the section that is bad or the entire line. Sometimes you can get lucky and replace a line from the master cylinder to the rear proportioning valve with careful measurements and a union or two and no flare tool is needed. When you locate your leak and have good line in front, you can cut the line in the good portion of line and carefully bend it down so you can flare it.
These images are kinda blurry, but oh well. I am demonstrating the repair on the bench, but this can be done on the vehicle. The most popular size line is 3/16" line and that is what we will be using. Cut your line with a tubing cutter and use sandpaper to clean up the cut. Slide over the fitting before you flare the line and clamp it in the holding tool so the the line end is level with the first lip on the crusher.....................
Place the crusher nipple into the line like so.............
Install the clamp and crank the clamp down until it stops..........
Remove the clamp and then remove the crusher. This should have rounded the edges of the line...
Now install the clamp without the crusher and get the pointed tip centered in the line. Clamp it down until it stops...............
Now you have a flared line end where you can install a union and then the new line.........
Run the new line along the frame and secure it where possible so they do not rub........
If there are proportioning valves in line, you must save them.........
I hope this helps anyone interested in saving expensive labor dollars for line repairs.