How best to bend a brake line.

[WisconsinF]

After 20 years the A-60 brake actuator on my trailer has leaking and I figured I would just replace the whole kit and kaboodle instead of throwing new parts at an old actuator. To slide the old actuator out of the swinging tongue I'll need to bend a short piece of brake line. (see picture #1) I cannot access the line at the old actuator because the tongue is a complete square. (see picture #4)
I don't want to pinch the tubing as I straighten it out....what's the best way to go about straightening this brake line and reshaping it after it's been reinstalled? Is there a small jig or something along those lines?
Thanks!

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[shall36]

You can buy a tube bender at the auto parts store. I would seriously consider replacing with a rubber line. Also, check the rest of the hard line on the trailer for rot…these lines will rust out eventually.

[21XDC]

Auto Zone will let you borrow a tube bender.

[WisconsinF]

You can buy a tube bender at the auto parts store. I would seriously consider replacing with a rubber line. Also, check the rest of the hard line on the trailer for rot…these lines will rust out eventually.

Thanks! I've got the rubber line that bends at the fold on order.
That's the only soft hose in the system. t
The line by the calipers is just a couple loops of steel line before going directly into the caliper.

[mactlman]

old coffee can or other steel can makes a bending tool in a pinch also

[CJ1]

I would just bend it by hand, small lines like that are easy to bend without kinking. unless you are planning to do a sharp 90. The bend you are showing would be no problem. cj

[krindgen]

You can buy a tube bender at the auto parts store. I would seriously consider replacing with a rubber line. Also, check the rest of the hard line on the trailer for rot…these lines will rust out eventually.

What he said about the flex line. Can find premade lengths at an aftermarket auto online shop. I recently rebuilt mine cuzz I did a dumb thing with the breakaway cable. One thing that helped a lot was two dowels the same diameter as the two pins that hold the assembly in the tongue. Cut them slightly shorter so they are as long as the actuator is wide. Drive the steel pins out, and the dowels in and it keeps the whole thing together. Then on the bench remove and replace when reassembled. Same with a new assembly.

[wmitch2]

One thing that helped a lot was two dowels the same diameter as the two pins that hold the assembly in the tongue. Cut them slightly shorter so they are as long as the actuator is wide. Drive the steel pins out, and the dowels in and it keeps the whole thing together. Then on the bench remove and replace when reassembled. Same with a new assembly.

DEFINATLY do this !!! So much easier