There is nothing wrong with cautions to be sure to do a proper job or leave it to the experts. Mathew's post was about the rigid metal lines but your first reply was about rubber lines. I doubt he plans to make those too. I agree that most owners should stay away from making lines of either type. Making the metal lines is far from rocket science though and with the proper tools and a little practice a decent mechanic can make them just fine, even a home mechanic. I make them by purchasing generic longer brake lines of the right diameter and fittings. Then I cut one end off and put the fitting back at the proper length for my application. My flare tool came from a large white tool purveyor's truck It said Snap-something-or-other on the side. I practiced with it until I could readily duplicate the shape of the "factory" flare on the newly purchased line.

The logical extension of your warnings would mean that owners should do almost nothing on their own vehicles. Even improperly changing a wiper blade could lead to an accident and liability. Maintaining proper tire pressure is a safety issue also. Pay an expert to do this or incur the liability? Where do we draw the line?

Mark

Bruce Nadig wrote:

> Eric, > > I'm sorry that you feel that brake work can be taken lightly. > > First, you are assuming that I don't have the proper skills (you said, > "Just > because you don't have the proper skills...". Exactly hat do you know > about > my background, training (both hands-on and in trade school), and > experience > in the automotive and motorcycle repair industry? > > If you read my posts carefully, you would have seen that I acknowledged > Matthews level of skill and knowledge. In fact, I wrote, "Matthew, please > don't take this as a flame or a slam. You are a great list member with > good > mechanical skills. I have a great deal of respect for you." > > In his original post, it sounded to me like Matthew was uncertain > about his > ability to make the brake lines. In his words, "Can i make this (the > brake > lines) myself...". That gave me the impression that this is a specialized > area of automotive repair with which Matthew is not familiar. I think > that > my initial assessment was fair. > > Eric, you yourself stated, "that most people are clueless at to what your > are after." I'd say that backs up my arguments pretty well. Most > people are > clueless in this area. > > Incidentally, since this thread started, Matthew and I have exchanged > pleasant (which is more than I can say for yours) e-mails and > discussed the > issue. Once again, I acknowledge Matthews ability and willingness to work > with his hands. I was just concerned that he may know all there is to > know > to make brake lines. After our off-line exchange, I am more confident. > > I'll leave with this thought: How many of you would feel comfortable > driving > down the freeway knowing that every driver of every car on the road > had made > their own brake lines? I sure wouldn't. Some are qualified - yes. > However, > from what little Matthew wrote in his initial post, I wasn't sure if he > understood all that was involved. > > That is all for me on this thread. By the way, it is very > disconcerting that > when I attempt to help the Vanagon community with cautions about > safety you > refer to my comments as "insulting" and "a good joke." I hope that > everyone > on this list takes safety very seriously. > > Sincerely, > Bruce > motorbruce > motorbruce@hotmail.com > >