Brake fluid seeping?

Tiny
YAZIDAN
  • MEMBER
  • 2016 JEEP CHEROKEE
  • 2.4L
  • 4 CYL
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 129,000 MILES
I replaced the front brake flex hose. Brake fluid is seeping at the fitting between the hard line coming from the brake master cylinder and the flex hose. How to fix. I heard there is washer that I can put it at the bubble flare. If so where to buy

Thank you
Thursday, December 25th, 2025 AT 10:43 AM

13 Replies

Tiny
STEVE W.
  • MECHANIC
  • 15,549 POSTS
If you mean it is between the hard line and the fitting on the rubber line, Tighten the line nut down farther to compress the line tighter. The seal is formed as the line compresses into the seat inside the fitting, normally you tighten them until you achieve a leak free connection. If the line won't seal then take it apart and look at the seat in the line and the flare on the hardline, if you reused the hardline it may take more to seal because it was already deformed to seal in the old fitting. More than once I've had to reform the bubble on that style fitting because it was not able to seal.
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Friday, December 26th, 2025 AT 9:08 AM
Tiny
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I installed one of those washers see link below. they go between the hard line and the flex hose. after installing it ,I pushed the brake pedal hard, no leaks so far. I will check again in few days when I drive the car .

https://www.grainger.com/product/PARKER-Flare-Gasket-For-3-16-in-Tube-5WRW0
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Friday, December 26th, 2025 AT 3:04 PM
Tiny
STEVE W.
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Those are not really used with a bubble flare, they are for a 45 degree double flare, and even then they are not a great idea in brake systems due to the pressures involved during stops. However it's your vehicle.
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Friday, December 26th, 2025 AT 3:39 PM
Tiny
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I am sure they got crushed and took the shape of the concave. Do you think its not safe to use them?
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Friday, December 26th, 2025 AT 4:39 PM
Tiny
STEVE W.
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They have a lower working pressure than the parts around them. Brake systems can generate 2000 psi or more in a panic stop. Those are sold more for things like fuel lines with lower pressures. It may even say somewhere on there that they are not to be used on brake systems.
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Friday, December 26th, 2025 AT 4:48 PM
Tiny
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It says
Temperature Range 65 °F to 250 °F
Compatible Tube Material Aluminum; Brass; Copper; Steel
Maximum Operating Pressure1,900 psi
also it says
Standard brass 45° flare tube fittings are compatible with nylon, polyethylene, and polyurethane tubing and suitable for use in air, water, and oil applications.

Also what came in my mind is that certain car have banjo bolts that have two washers

i guess I will replace the whole line
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Friday, December 26th, 2025 AT 5:51 PM
Tiny
STEVE W.
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No need to replace the line. Just cut the end off and create a new bubble flare. Then tighten it back in place. Or leave the washer in place and just watch it to be sure it doesn't start leaking again, the most likely failure would be that it cracks at the edge where the two pieces seat and then starts leaking, it won't be an explosive failure.
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Saturday, December 27th, 2025 AT 8:10 AM
Tiny
YAZIDAN
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I thought it will be a explosive failure. That was the reason why I replaced the brake flex hose one of them burst just when I pulled off the driveway. I have never done a flare in my life. Also, I saw two guys in YouTube say that bubble flares are one time use.
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Saturday, December 27th, 2025 AT 8:41 AM
Tiny
STEVE W.
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They are normally a one time use because the initial flare is slightly oversized and when installed they get crimped into the smaller size that seals them. However you can be fortunate and just tightening it down a bit stops the leak if the parts are close in fit. As far as the flare goes, a bubble flare is much easier than a double flare. The problem is usually having room to put the flare tool like the first image in place, however there are flaring tools that you can get as a loaner tool that look like the second image that are much easier to use. You just need the tools to tighten the tool in place and rotate the anvil part to make the proper flare.
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Saturday, December 27th, 2025 AT 8:53 AM
Tiny
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I thought it will be an explosive failure. That was the reason why I replaced the brake flex hose one of them burst just when I pulled off the driveway. Ok I will try to make another flare. If not put another line
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Saturday, December 27th, 2025 AT 9:16 AM
Tiny
STEVE W.
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The flex lines can come apart that way, the hard lines generally fail with pinholes or they rust off at a bracket. I've replaced a lot of rotted lines over the years.
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Saturday, December 27th, 2025 AT 6:00 PM
Tiny
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I forget to tell you. What I noticed is that the flare fitting does not slide on the brake tube. There is a coating on the brake tube. How can I make it to slide. Use heat and melt the coating?
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Sunday, December 28th, 2025 AT 6:21 AM
Tiny
STEVE W.
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Heat or a razor blade to scrape it off, both will work. Be sure none of it is in the area you make the bubble. The flaring tool won't clamp on it very well.
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Monday, December 29th, 2025 AT 5:12 AM

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