Rounded off a brake line flare nut...
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 3,052
Likes: 0
From: Vancouver BC, Canada
Rounded off a brake line flare nut...
I rounded off a flare nut on the right front brake line were it attaches to the hose. It was seized, so I ended up using vice grips to get the thing loose.
Do I:
1- Do nothing and just use vice grips on the old nut when reinstalling the new hose. Cheap and easy, but...
2- Replace the hard crossover line. Is this possible with the engine in the car? Will I be opening a can of worms? (I would love to replace ALL the lines with stainless, but that gets expensive, and not sure if even possible with body on.)
3- Cut and re-flare the existing line and use a new nut. Is there sufficient length to the line so I can trim off about 1/2". Can the original 30 yr old tubing be re-flared without cracking or galling?
I am sure this has happened to others, so I am curious about the solutions.
[Modified by Turbo-Jet, 12:22 AM 1/8/2004]
Do I:
1- Do nothing and just use vice grips on the old nut when reinstalling the new hose. Cheap and easy, but...
2- Replace the hard crossover line. Is this possible with the engine in the car? Will I be opening a can of worms? (I would love to replace ALL the lines with stainless, but that gets expensive, and not sure if even possible with body on.)
3- Cut and re-flare the existing line and use a new nut. Is there sufficient length to the line so I can trim off about 1/2". Can the original 30 yr old tubing be re-flared without cracking or galling?
I am sure this has happened to others, so I am curious about the solutions.
[Modified by Turbo-Jet, 12:22 AM 1/8/2004]
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 4,269
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From: St. Charles IL
Cruise-In 5-6-7-8-9-11-12 Veteran
A CI-6 Car Show Winner
Re: Rounded off a brake line flare nut... (Turbo-Jet)
I would replace the line, it certainly doesn't owe you much after 30 years. I'm not sure if I would spend the extra money on stainless though, is the car driven in winter (salt)? Look at how long the original line lasted, where will the car be 30 years from now?
Racer
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 383
Likes: 0
From: Columbia SC
Re: Rounded off a brake line flare nut... (Big Fish)
I ran into the same thing when I replaced the front brake hoses. I was able to replace the crossover line without removing anything else. I had to re-bend it in order to snake it where I wanted it to go but it was not not that big of a deal.
I have the tool to do a double flare and I have re-flared brake lines before with no problems. For the cost of the crossover ($45 for stainless with armor) I decided to just replace the whole thing, since I replaced all the rest anyway.
I am not an expert on the 72 but for my 76 I replaced the crossover by myself .
I have the tool to do a double flare and I have re-flared brake lines before with no problems. For the cost of the crossover ($45 for stainless with armor) I decided to just replace the whole thing, since I replaced all the rest anyway.
I am not an expert on the 72 but for my 76 I replaced the crossover by myself .
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 2,668
Likes: 43
From: Eastern US XX
Re: Rounded off a brake line flare nut... (Turbo-Jet)
2- Replace the hard crossover line. Is this possible with the engine in the car? Will I be opening a can of worms? (I would love to replace ALL the lines with stainless, but that gets expensive, and not sure if even possible with body on.)
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 16,416
Likes: 1
From: NC,USA
Re: Rounded off a brake line flare nut... (comp)
Brakes are important!
Depending on how badly the rounded nut is rounded... you might be able to file it to fit a smaller wrench. ... but you risk introducing metal particles into the system if you do.
I'd replace it... but go stainless! Especially if you plan on redoing the rest of the car later on.... hate to replace new parts. :thumbs:
Depending on how badly the rounded nut is rounded... you might be able to file it to fit a smaller wrench. ... but you risk introducing metal particles into the system if you do.
I'd replace it... but go stainless! Especially if you plan on redoing the rest of the car later on.... hate to replace new parts. :thumbs:
Banned Scam/Spammer
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 687
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Re: Rounded off a brake line flare nut... (comp)
Replace it; it's not that difficult. I replaced all my lines with ss ones about a month ago, you do not have to remove the body. BTW, it's not that expensive to do.
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Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 4,756
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From: Buckeye, AZ
St. Jude Donor '12-'13
Re: Rounded off a brake line flare nut... (Turbo-Jet)
To prevent this in the future you might try the method a Chyrsler mechanic friend told me. It works....I was rounding mine off unitl I tried this.
After removing the caliper, heat the brake line fitting with a torch until the line "blows" off. This will make quite a bang and make you jump even if you are expecting it. After the line blows, crack the nut, remove the clip and the fitting will come off. You won't believe how easy. :smash: :mad :smash: :mad :smash: :D
After removing the caliper, heat the brake line fitting with a torch until the line "blows" off. This will make quite a bang and make you jump even if you are expecting it. After the line blows, crack the nut, remove the clip and the fitting will come off. You won't believe how easy. :smash: :mad :smash: :mad :smash: :D
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 7,720
Likes: 12
From: Chattanooga TN
Re: Rounded off a brake line flare nut... (gliot1)
If the lines and fitting are in decent shape I vote vice-grips. Good brakes are very important, but if everything is in good shape it will be fine.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 3,053
Likes: 4
St. Jude Donor '03,'11
Re: Rounded off a brake line flare nut... (Turbo-Jet)
use the vice grips and forget it. Doesn't look pretty but is functional. These nuts are too soft and ALWAYS round off. You could pull your hair out and replace the line but i gurantee you the very next time you disconnect the caliper hose your going to round it off again. You don't wanna mess with flaring a new line, more of a chance for a leak because your probably wont do it right.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 8,339
Likes: 24
From: I can walk to MA
Re: Rounded off a brake line flare nut... (mvftw)
New stainless, but give the nuts a quick shot of clear enamel after installing
and testing for leaks. This way, the nut doesn't rust up and freeze/erode away.
IMO - your vette is beautiful - hate to see any Bubba under the covers.
:seeya
and testing for leaks. This way, the nut doesn't rust up and freeze/erode away.
IMO - your vette is beautiful - hate to see any Bubba under the covers.
:seeya
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 3,052
Likes: 0
From: Vancouver BC, Canada
Re: Rounded off a brake line flare nut... (Turbo-Jet)
thanks everyone, some good input here. i'm going to start a new thread about replacement lines. :thumbs:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/zerothread?id=725787
[Modified by Turbo-Jet, 12:31 AM 1/8/2004]
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/zerothread?id=725787
[Modified by Turbo-Jet, 12:31 AM 1/8/2004]
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 4,756
Likes: 2,506
From: Buckeye, AZ
St. Jude Donor '12-'13
Re: Rounded off a brake line flare nut... (Turbo-Jet)
If you use the method I wrote, you won't round them off at all......This is how a mechanic has removed them this way his whole 25 year career...It works..........
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 88,393
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From: eville in
Re: Rounded off a brake line flare nut... (gliot1)
are you talking about Blowing the end of a steel dubble-flaired line off and not
damaging anything, :skep: i'm all for short-cuts but i got a picture of
trouble in my head :cry
damaging anything, :skep: i'm all for short-cuts but i got a picture of
trouble in my head :cry
Racer
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 398
Likes: 0
From: Texas
Re: Rounded off a brake line flare nut... (gliot1)
To prevent this in the future you might try the method a Chyrsler mechanic friend told me. It works....I was rounding mine off unitl I tried this.
After removing the caliper, heat the brake line fitting with a torch until the line "blows" off. This will make quite a bang and make you jump even if you are expecting it. After the line blows, crack the nut, remove the clip and the fitting will come off. You won't believe how easy. :smash: :mad :smash: :mad :smash: :D
After removing the caliper, heat the brake line fitting with a torch until the line "blows" off. This will make quite a bang and make you jump even if you are expecting it. After the line blows, crack the nut, remove the clip and the fitting will come off. You won't believe how easy. :smash: :mad :smash: :mad :smash: :D