Brake hose removal
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 2,337
Likes: 14
From: Norfolk VA
Brake hose removal
How difficult will it be to remove the front brake hose that attatches to the hard line. I know that it is a 3/8 fitting and I need to use a line wrench for it. Will I need two 3/8 line wrenches on that fitting? Will I need to have the pre bent hard line for back up in case I end up twisting and damaging the hard line at the fitting while attempting to loosen it?
Cruising
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 10
Likes: 1
From: Baker Florida
Heres my little suggestion. I know I'm gonna take some heat for my method by I have rounded off many of brake line ends from old cars using line wrenches. My suggestion is to use a set of vise grips on the hard line to break it loose. You can use a regular box end wrench on the soft line. You will not mess the outside of the fitting up by doing this. You will also save your knuckles because the vise grips wont slip.
Just my 2 cents.
Later
Aaron
Just my 2 cents.
Later
Aaron
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 104
Likes: 0
From: Missouri City Texas
Use some PB Blaster or Liquid Wrench before you undo the brake line fitting. It will help get the crud out. I had to use vise grips on some of mine, to get them loose. I think 3/8 for the hard line and 9/16 for the flex line...Dont forget to remove/replace the lock plate.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 3,246
Likes: 4
From: Bay Area CA
From what I recall, the flexi line has a sort of half round, large end, with flats on either side. There's a clip that holds it into a L bracket, from the top, and it's 'stared' to keep it from moving. The steel line threads into the front of this 'solid held in end' of the flexi line. there are two large flats cut into the solid end, think a 5/8 or 9/16 fit them, to hold it in place while you turn the hardline end fitting with the line wrench. The hardline my or may not move. Every other brake fitting came out on my car w/o a problem, except the pass side hardline. To break it, I needed a vice grip. Vice grip to take it off (after line wrench rounded it) and then Vice grip to put it back on, as the flats at that point are toast. probably only change it once in a lifetime- so who cares. 
Racer
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 340
Likes: 0
From: Warrensburg MO
I have found, that if you tighten the line first it will loosen up easier. Not sure why this is, must break the rust bond or something. Some type of rust eater and work slowly back and forth to keep the line from twisting. Good luck.
Tommy
Tommy
