28 Auto Brakes Copyright by Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. Th is chapter will identify and explain the purposes of tools needed to perform brake diagnosis and service. Th is chapter will emphasize the special tools needed for brake service. Specifi c brake system measuring tools and test equipment will also be covered. Many common hand and air tools are also needed as part of brake service, and will be discussed when they are used. The Importance of Quality Tools Th e brake service technician must be aware of the large number of diff erent tools needed to service modern brake systems. Having the correct tools for the job will make for quality repairs, faster service time, decreased comebacks, and overall customer satisfaction. You should select the best tools possible. Quality tools will pay for themselves in many ways. Most quality hand tools come with a lifetime warranty from the manufacturer. While they may be more expensive, a quality tool will last longer than a less expensive tool. Usually, inexpensive tools do not have the same warranty as quality tools. If the less expensive tool breaks, you will have to buy a new one rather than simply turning it in for a replacement covered under a manufacturer’s warranty. Basic Brake Hand Tools Th e following sections cover the basic tools that a technician must have to get started in brake service. Th e tools covered here will be discussed again in chapters where they apply. Wrenches Typical wrenches used in brake work include fl are-nut wrenches and bleeder wrenches. Flare-nut wrenches, some- times called tubing wrenches or line wrenches, are used to remove tubing fi ttings used on all brake line connections, Figure 3-1. Th ey are also used to loosen fuel line and other soft fi ttings. Bleeder wrenches are used to open the bleeder screws found at various points throughout the brake sys- tem. Standard wrenches can be substituted for some bleeder wrenches. Tubing Tools Occasionally, you may be called on to replace or repair brake system tubing. To do this, tubing tools are needed. Typical tubing repair tools include tubing cutters and reamers to remove burrs from inside the cut tubing. Bender springs and mechanical benders are used to bend tubing. A bender spring is placed around the tubing and will bend with the tubing to prevent it from kinking. A mechanical bender uses leverage to bend tubing around a form. Th ere is a variety of mechanical benders available, including manual and power types. Brake tubing ends must always be fl ared using ISO (International Standards Organization) fl ares. Th ese fl ares are sometimes called double-lap or bubble fl ares. See Figure 3-2 for an illustration of typical tubing tools. Brake Pliers Brake service makes use of many designs and sizes of pli- ers. During many repair operations, various types and sizes Goodheart-Willcox Publisher Figure 3-1. Flare-nut tubing wrenches. They usually come as a combination wrench or with an open end. Goodheart-Willcox Publisher Figure 3-2. Selection of tubing flare tools. A—ISO flare tool. B—Single and double-lap flare tool set and storage case. I.S.O. flare tool A B Kent-Moore