I'm in a Jam

[So Cal Mark]

Fiat uses a bubble flare, as do many Euro makes. Domestic iron is all inverted flare. You can buy a bubble flare kit and there are adapters to convert bubble flare to inverted flare lines

[mbouse]

thanks

[Hjulenx]

I recently had to do the same thing on my Fiat because I was a bonehead and messed up the threads on the nut.

I got a metric bubble flare kit from tooltopia.com, cost 23$ and the 10x1.25 nut costs me 5$ each and weren't available locally. I don't have the website from those off the top of my head but I can get it.

A double flare kit will also work, you just stop after you do the first part of the double flare (first part is a metric/bubble flare)

[driftandrally616]

Well I am SOL right now, I don't believe there is anyway in hell that line is coming off, nut is stripped for the most part and I'm getting depressed that my car has been sitting this long. And I need to have it running for Lime Rock on Labor day weekend. So I'm thinking of taking it to a shop, but before I do...is there anyway I can sort of splice the line, as in cut it somewhere and replace the latter half that connects to the new hose I bought? I'm thinking there is, but all of this bubble flare stuff and nut stuff is sort of confusing me. Also, I am hearing a clunk on my front suspension, driver's side, on bumps, and apparently it also failed inspection for that reason...aside from me trying to pass inspection without a handbrake cable . I don't really think I have provided enough evidence right now for you to dissect the problem, but the brake problem is priority anyway. Thanks in advance,
Derek

[kmead]

Having read through this thread, I would suggest you:

Get the proper wrenches to work on brake lines. Use the PB blaster and time to loosen things and think about using heat to break things free. Using a torch (one you would use to do copper pipe sweating under 8 bucks at home depot) to get the parts to break apart from each other by expanding and contracting using heat.

I would also suggest you put a request out to buy someone's axle brake lines and T fitting along with buying a replacement flex line from the body to the T fitting being sure to not bugger up the hard line on the body.

They do make compression fittings for splicing brake lines, I am not an advocate for them especially if you have grotty old rusty lines which won't seal well. If you can use one of these you will still need to get the new 36" line, cut the end of it off after making it the right configuration. Then cut the old line cleanly and prep the surface of the old line where the compression splice will be in contact with it.

If you are able to fix the line with a splice, you need to prepare to do the job properly in the future. The splice will fail. So you need to gather the parts to replace the hard line, all three flex lines and likely the T fitting on the axle.

Alternatively if you buy the Bubble Flare tool you can make a new flare on the old line and use the new line with a flare fitting to join both the old line and the new line running to the caliper. This could well be permanent, it will be rather difficult to do as there isn't much room under there to do the work.

Good luck. Take your time, be clean and think things through before acting.

You may also want to look at the following how to, its for an old VW but the activities are the same:

http://volksweb.relitech.com/brakeln.htm

Hope that helps.

[So Cal Mark]

I have a used diff assy I can remove the brake line from. Check your email

[driftandrally616]

kmead,
By replacing the flex fittings, are you referring to the hose that comes into the t fitting at the top of the diff?

[driftandrally616]

Also, the flare fittings, do both ends that come together have to have bubble flare, or does one of them have to be inverted?

[kmead]

By flex lines I mean the flexible lines (hoses) that go from the hard line on the body to the T fitting on the axle and the two flexible lines (hoses) that go from the hard metal lines that run from the T fitting on the axle to the calipers.

As for the flare needed, the rigid lines must have a bubble flare on the end of any line (for a Fiat). Be sure to buy an inline fitting meant for a bubble flare as the new line you are buying for the buggered up side will have a bubble fitting. You will need to make a bubble fitting on the existing line coming from the T fitting to go into the inline fitting.

[Dales78]

I don't think I've ever had any luck with standard ViseGrips but ViseGrip Locking Wrenches work really well on soft brake fittings. They really grip but don't destroy the nut. I think the 8" model is the most useful.

[Tappy]

maybey you can use a nut splitter on them ?

like tis one , it splits your nuts , but @ least you get them off

[driftandrally616]

hmm, never heard too much about nut splitters before, if all else fails maybe I'll give them a try. Going to work on it this coming Monday, will hear news then.

[driftandrally616]

GOOD NEWS!!! I drove the car today! I am so relieved, I ended up trying the vice grips one last time on the stripped nut by the junction, and after sitting with the PB Blaster for a few weeks while I was away, I think it broke loose. That was not the only hard part though, after that I needed a new line, but I didn't order the nuts from this website I found ( -- http://store.fedhillusa.com/m43.aspx -- for future reference). And I didn't have a bubble flare kit anyway. So I found a solution at a local auto parts store; the guy had an adaptor that made the 10mm x 1.25 into a SAE double-flare or inverted-flare, whichever you prefer. So I used the two adaptors, bent the regular flared line, used a new hose, put on a new e-brake cable...and I have brakes! Ahh what a wonderful feeling, Inspection sticker here I come. I'd like to thank all of you on this website who have helped me through my first major issue and have welcomed me into the forum. Hopefully, this will be my first and final issue, but I'm not naive... Anyway, I am so glad this is done, with luck I may make it to the Italian Car Corral @ Lime Rock Park in CT for Labor Day.

Derek

[So Cal Mark]

congrats. In the future, don't be afraid to ask before you dive into a project. We might be able to offer some tips to make it go easier

[driftandrally616]

I definitely won't hesitate to ask, thanks. Don't worry pictures are coming soon, keep an eye in the New Members/Introductions section.

Derek