Tubing benders can be a necessary evil to some, but if you get a good one and learn how to use it, it can actually make bending tubing fun! Seriously. On the right is a typical "cheapo" parts store tubing bender that handles multiple sizes and can do the job in most cases, but if you want to get serious and buy a bender that not only works well but should last the rest of your life, get one like this "professional" single-size bender from Inline Tube. | 
Another critical tool when it comes to plumbing are high-quality flare nut wrenches. A good flare nut wrench will fit snugly onto brake line fittings, pretty much eliminating the chance of rounding off the fitting, which is easily done with a regular open end wrench and is still possible with inexpensive flare nut wrenches. These are my personal Snap-on flare nut wrenches-money well spent. | 
My 9-inch rearend is still unpainted, so I'm going to weld the brake line tabs to it, but CPP's unique tabs can also be clamped to the rearend using these nice stainless clamps. |
Bending the hardline for the rearend is usually not an exercise in grace. Since the hardline came in 6-foot pieces, I took a rough measurement of what I needed and cut it a little longer so it was easier to work with. | 
First, I added two 45-degree bends in opposite directions coming out of the T-fitting, which puts the hardline right onto the housing. Next, I marked where a 90-degree bend is needed to get the tube going up the side of the third member. | 
After making the 90-degree bend, I held the bend tightly to the rearend and firmly bent the tube along the edge of the third member by hand. Even though it sounds crude, this is about the easiest and best-looking way to get the job done-just make sure you bend it once. |
On the other side of the third member we need another 90-degree bend to connect the tube to the flex hose. | 
Once at the brake hose and tab, the hardline will need to be cut and reflared. Also, notice the red fitting on the tube. This has 7/16-20 threads that fit on a 3/16- inch tube. The rear brake calipers on the truck have a 7/16-inch thread for the brake inlet, which GM used up to '78. In '79 they switched to 10mm thread, so be sure to check what you have before ordering. Normally, 3/16-inch tube fittings will have 3/8-24 threads, but the red fitting will match up to the 7/16-inch hoses without the use of adapters. | 
Using my CPP flaring tool kit, I cut the tube on my mark. Do not use a dull cutter, as it can harden the end of the tube. |