flare tool

[captainhaddock]

Any ideas as to get a good flare tool for citroen hydraulic pipes ? (no it's not for the XM)
I red somewhere that Pleiades do them. Do they still exist?
have found a few on line (expensive of course) but maybe some of you have good tips?

[robertmnorton]

Hi captainhaddock, yes, they do seem overpriced, but are undervalued. Without one you are off the road and facing mot failure each year. The ability to manufacture pipes as required cannot be overstated, a couple of hours work in most cases sees the replacement fitted. A decision to invest in one is a decision to invest in the long term. I chose the long term 7 years ago with the auto box remanufacture, so with 2 years mot advisories on corroded pipes i took the plunge, splashed out and bought the tool with 25m of each 3.5mm & 4.5mm cupronickel tube along with nuts, splices and seals. I have since replaced all front to rear pipes and all rear pipes with the exception of the r/h brake calliper pipe, so has been well worth it. Whether Pleiades still supply i don't know, mine came from Germany, Franzose.de, 4 days after placing the order.
robertm

[captainhaddock]

Thank you, I saw their tool as well. Don't mind investing in it, you've got this one I guess

http://www.franzose.de/en/Citroen-2CV/A ... /ANR20053/

Also found this one, roughly same price. I don't want to buy the wrong one of course.

http://www.ebay.ie/itm/Brake-Pipe-Flari ... 1068830249

[xmexclusive]

After an extensive search and trials with a number of tools I purchased the first tool listed with 3.5 & 4.5 dies.
Mine came direct from the manufacturer Oakes tools in Buckingham.
Speaking to them and buying the kit cost around £140 inc vat and delivery.
http://www.automec.co.uk

This tool is not ideal for on car work but I got tired of the occasional flare failures using my 3.5 Pliades tool.
Nothing more irritating than a failed flare on the second end of a pipe.
These days I make up complete new pipes and fit.

John

[Dieselman]

I bought an impact type tool from an ebay seller in Poland. I've only had to use it to make flares when making the sphere tester, but it worked very well.

I need to look at it to see who it's made by, as the manufacturers details are stamped on it.

[xmexclusive]

Hi Jaap

The key thing with Citroen pipe and flare is the amount you are going to use it relative to the cost.
Pipes can be made up to order and bought. Even rolled and posted.
Not instant but can be quick and economic.
For occasional emergency use the set Dieselman bought is probably the best current value.
As I remember you get 3.5, 4.5 & 6.35 dies for about £100.
The workshop type I recommended would cost twice that with those four dies
You also need a small stock of pipes and fittings to hand otherwise the tool is useless.
Flare nuts, seals, joiners and preferably cupronickle pipe.
Malcolm Lockwood would make up such a kit (www.mlockwood.org.uk).

John

[robertmnorton]

Hi captainhaddock, yes, that's the one from Franzose. A bit cumbersome in usage on the vehicle but generally you will have removed the pipe and used as a pattern- albeit in bits, the cupronickel being malleable is easy to form.
robert

[CitroJim]

A flare kit has got to be my next tool purchase...

[captainhaddock]

Thank you all. I don't really intend to use the tool on the car. The one from Oakes looks very sturdy. I'll let you know how I get on.

[robertmnorton]

Hi all, just an explanation for ordering from Franzose. It was a single point order, tubing, nuts, seals and splice joints, a single price shipping fee, ready to go.
robertm