Removing brake lines

[ecalmus]

Any hints on removing brake line fittings so that I can replace the rubber brake lines? I got one loose with vice grips and a pipe wrench, but the next one simply rounded off. I am using penetrating oil with no success.

Ed

[baltobernie]

You need a "flare wrench". This is one of the few areas, in my opinion, that even an amateur mechanic needs a Mac, Snap On or other premium tool.

[TX82FIAT]

Agreed with Baltobernie on this one 100%. A few months back re-did the entire brake system from discs us to master cylinder. A good quality set of flare wrenches is key because the cheap ones may open. there are a lot of threads on this in the forum. Let the penetrant absorb overnight. Some folks will apply a little heat to the nut as well. One of the reasons i replaced all the lines other than the fact they were 30 years old is that the nuts were so buggered up that i would have had to cut the lines and and redo the buble flare with a new nut. Completely rounded and useless nuts, opted to overhaul the entire failing system.

Side note, the vented and slotted discs really do improve braking on my car even with the stock calipers. Not too expensive, I drove a stock spider with the Brembo Brake discs calipers and vented disc brakes a couple weeks ago. The car stopped on a dime and the pedal position and feel were unmatched. Expensive!

Good luck with your brakes. be patient when it comes time to bleed the system. again, a lot of good advice in the forum about that.

[Fiat88]

+1 on the flarenut wrenches. Vice grips will just ruin the nut...

[4uall]

what size (Metric) do we need?

[majicwrench]

10mm flare nut wrench fits most fiat stuff. There is a HUGE difference between a high quality wrench (snap on) and a cheaper version. Heat is also your friend, much more so that lubricant. And tap tap tap to help loosen things. Heat, cool, piss, tap tap tap. Repeat repeat. Let sit overnight, repeat. Have a beer, repeat.
Keith

[narfire]

It has been mentioned to try and tighten just a hair first to see if the corroded threads might break free.
Does'nt work every time but sometimes you get lucky.

The quality flared 10 mm is your new friend when dealing with the brakes.

[kilrwail]

And use a quality penetrating oil like Deep Creep or PB Blaster. Let it soak overnight - as mentioned above - then soak it again and wait another day. Then use heat if necessary. Find something else to work on while you're waiting. Patience will be rewarded.

[4uall]

Thanks guys, put the Deep Creep on last night & will do again tonight. Peter, guess I'm not going to Princess Auto Do not have any way to add heat (currently) as well, I have seen brake fluid get heated and pop/blow and it is not pretty

[kilrwail]

Jay - Open the bleeder valve if you apply heat, assuming that you can open it. CTC has good flare wrenches. Good luck!

[4uall]

Do not mean to hijack your post eclamus I picked up some JET flare wrenches and this is what happened



I am not religious however, someone or something has it out for me today Woke up to -24*C Sucked it it after lunch and decided to tackle the tie rods. They went on with out a hitch, Seated them with regular 10mm nuts then applied the nylocs Then (after 3 nights of applying Deep Creep) I had purchased some flare wrenches and went after the passenger brake line until................................SNAP Taking a break, then maybe tackle the suspension. Not looking forward to replacing the passenger brake line. Any pointers on how or where to run it? Follow current path? Make my own etc?

[4uall]

Removed old passenger line Can I remove the brake reservoir hoses without any worries about damaging the master cylinder? I have new lines I would like to install.

[kilrwail]

You can remove them, but you'd better get those hose clamps back on perfectly. Are you sure you need to do it?

[4uall]

Not so much a need but a want. I have no real idea how old these are and seeing that I am replacing all the other brake lines and refurbishing the calipers/seals/bleeder valve etc I thought "why not"?