Flexible Brake Lines

[psmith]

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]

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.

[psmith]

Thanks Joe, I'll give it a try.

[waqas]

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...  

[J. Huber]

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?

[waqas]

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.

[johnd]

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

[dseretakis]

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]

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

[psmith]

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]

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  .  .