I have a little brake project for my C5 planned. New Stainless Steel Brake lines, new front brakes, new brake fluid, and painting my calipers. Now this all seems pretty straight forward. However, I've never installed SS lines and painted calipers. I'm excited to do the project but I have two questions.

For the brake lines, I understand I need a special flare nut wrench as to not strip the nut connecting the rubber line to the hard line? Any other special tools I should need?

Second, changing out brake fluid is simple enough. Don't let the fluid get too low in the reservoir as to not introduce air into the system and master cylinder. But since I am going to be removing the calipers to paint them, obviously there will be nothing attached to the lines while the calipers sit getting multiple coats of paint and clear coat. Is there a trick or anything I can do to keep brake fluid from leaking out of the lines and completely draining the system as to not introduce air? This is the only part that worries me. I've read of people clamping the rubber lines shut but I'd rather not do that in case the Stainless lines don't fit as planned and I run into a problem.

 

Yes getting a flare nut wrench set would be very wise because sometimes these brake lines are difficult to break loose and an open-end wrench will just round off your corners.

You can try using a golf tee to plug up the open end of the brake line but you're still going to have to bleed the brakes when you are done. Since this has ABS, you will require a scanner that can activate the ABS.

If the brake system has never been flushed, this would be a good time to do it because the fluid is very old.

 

https://www.autozone.com/brakes-and-...13888/441046_0

someone also recommended me these^ Would serve the same purpose of the golf tee I suppose but that's a good idea as well.

Yes the brake fluid has never been flushed So I'm going to put new ATE Type 200 fluid in it. I've read two things about the ABS. Either have someone with a scanner activate the ABS to pump the fluid out, or put the new fluid in and slam on the brakes when it's raining to cycle the ABS. The only problem with the second option is that the old fluid is now cycled in with the new fluid. But How much fluid does the ABS hold, is it a bad idea to do the second approach?

 

I would go with the plugs as I believe they would prevent any fluid from seeping out. Also I would not attempt slamming the brakes on to activate the ABS and like you said it would contaminate the new fluid. Not sure how much fluid the system holds. I suspect it's less than a quart however.