Author Topic: Flexible Brake Lines  (Read 6053 times)

psmith

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Flexible Brake Lines
« on: April 08, 2009, 05:23:26 »
I am in the process of replacing the flexible brake lines and although the first one came off ok, the rest are stuck tight.  Even though I'm using a flare nut wrench, one started to slip and round the corners.  I stopped and applied a shot of PB Blaster and am waiting for it to work and my frustration to subside.  Any words of wisdom would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks

ja17

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Re: Flexible Brake Lines
« Reply #1 on: April 08, 2009, 11:05:13 »
Hello Pete,

If all else fails a good large pair of flat jaw vice grips will hold that rounded fitting. Some heat can help also.
Joe Alexander
Blacklick, Ohio
1969 Dark Olive 280SL
2002 ML55 AMG (tow vehicle)
2002 SLK32 AMG (350 hp)
1982 300TD Wagon turbo 4spd.
1963 404 Mercedes Unimog (Swedish Army)
1989 flu419 Mercedes Unimog (US Army)
1998 E430
1974 450SLC Rally
1965 220SE Finback

psmith

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Re: Flexible Brake Lines
« Reply #2 on: April 08, 2009, 15:23:46 »
Thanks Joe, I'll give it a try.

waqas

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Re: Flexible Brake Lines
« Reply #3 on: April 08, 2009, 15:36:28 »
When removing the old hoses, I've always found it easier to cut off the flexible hose from right at the fitting, allowing a deep-socket (6-corner) to easily grip the fitting.

The line fitting is entirely another story...  >:(
Waqas (Wa-kaas) in Austin, Texas

J. Huber

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Re: Flexible Brake Lines
« Reply #4 on: April 08, 2009, 15:43:37 »
Hey Pete. Take good notes and some pics! Brakes 101 will probably appear here sometime!

Waqas, that is a good tip -- in other words, just cut the old one so the fitting remains, then use a socket?
James
63 230SL

waqas

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Re: Flexible Brake Lines
« Reply #5 on: April 08, 2009, 19:31:37 »
Waqas, that is a good tip -- in other words, just cut the old one so the fitting remains, then use a socket?

Exactly. I've started doing this right off the bat-- without attempting the simple wrench approach. Once the fitting is rounded, box wrench will be difficult to use, and vice grips will remain the only option, as Joe mentioned. Also, all vice grips are not created equal. Quality will save you time.
Waqas (Wa-kaas) in Austin, Texas

johnd

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Re: Flexible Brake Lines
« Reply #6 on: April 08, 2009, 20:05:47 »
Everytime I do one of those I clamp the line wrench opening with vise grips to keep the opening from spreading . . .

dseretakis

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Re: Flexible Brake Lines
« Reply #7 on: April 09, 2009, 02:58:33 »
I like that idea.  Some say to only use snap-on line wrenches for this purpose since they don't spread.  I had a stubborn flare nut that would not budge and got so rounded that nothing would take it of.  I ended up cutting the metal brake line right above the nut, sliding a new nut from a new brake line( purchased only for the nut) ad re-flaring the cut end.  Worked beautifully but what a pain.

Everytime I do one of those I clamp the line wrench opening with vise grips to keep the opening from spreading . . .

lurtch

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Re: Flexible Brake Lines
« Reply #8 on: April 09, 2009, 03:56:06 »
Hi Pete - - I hope you did not wait as long as I did to discover the true condition of your hoses!

If I were you I would hacksaw off the old hose and hammer a deep socket onto the bad hex. Capture the rubber crumbs by pinching off below where you plan to cut the hose. Wash them out of the stub, release the vise-grips and power it out - - .

Regards,  Larry
Larry Hemstreet  in  N. Cal.

1966  230SL  (restored) Met. Anthracite w/ Maroon leather
1981  300TD-T (Concours condition, 86K, GETRAG 5sp.)
1982  300TD-T (parted out)
1986  560SEC (totaled)
1991  300TE (gifted)
1998  E320 (sold)
2004  E320 wagon (gifted)
2008  CLK550 Cabriolet

psmith

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Re: Flexible Brake Lines
« Reply #9 on: April 09, 2009, 04:53:04 »
The nut that is slipping is the small (11mm) one on the metal brake line at the top in the picture.  I really don't want to replace those unless it is absolutely necessary.


johnd

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Re: Flexible Brake Lines
« Reply #10 on: April 09, 2009, 05:03:57 »
Good point above about the snap on line wrenches.  I have some std (no metric, drat) ones from a pawn shop trip and LOVE them.  But I am only a lawyer and can't afford to buy snap on new  .  .