I've bent my own brake lines before (on an Oldsmobile) and it wasn't too bad a job. I fealt better about doing it that way, than adding another fitting -- and the potential for failure. I'm pretty sure compression fittings at the hardware store are not rated for the kind of pressure that a brake line needs to withstand.

The following tip is a little too late for you Steve: but I've had pretty good luck heating brake line fittings with a propane torch (using a piece of metal roofing flashing to protect the surrounding area) I even use a torch when removing rubber lines and calipers... but only if I'm gonna replace them. Obviously, I wouldn't use heat on the master cylinder because of the seals.

Good luck.

Jeff Pierce
--
'93 945 Turbo ( one kickass family car ! ), '92 Mercedes 190E (my daily driver), '53 Willys-Overland Pickup (my snow-plow truck/conversation piece -- sold to a loving home), '85 Jeep CJ-7 w/ Fisher plow