I'm in a Jam

[So Cal Mark]

you would cut the end of the line, put on a new nut, then flare the tubing. The flare is what seats and seals in the fitting on the hose.

[manoa matt]

NAPA has brake hard line with metric fittings, should be less than $10, you will need a tubing bender also.

[mbouse]

use a spray paint can or a soup can instead of buying a tubing bender. i've even used sockets before... 30 some years of maintaining my own vehicles, and have yet to consider buying a tubing bender. just be careful NOT to kink the tube.

[driftandrally616]

mike, are you referring to wrapping the extra line, or to the flaring mark is speaking of?

[mbouse]

i am referring to buying a bender and wrapping the excess line.

as opposed to putting on a bender, which is a whole nuther subject entirely

[driftandrally616]

I can't get the old brake line off either from the tee or where it meets the hose. As of right now it is sitting in my garage, with the hose cut and the caliper off. I needed to get it inside the garage, as I started the brake work outside and I believe the piston is frozen, not quite sure...but it wouldn't screw back in. So I had to cut the hose to get the tire back on, and jacked it up in my garage with a bucket underneath the hose. This is so frustrating, I'm running out of ideas here. What is PB blaster?

[So Cal Mark]

if you're not using a flare nut wrench you will have a hard time getting any of the fittings off

[driftandrally616]

Oh, it's a bit late for that haha...but how much more grip can it have than vice-grips?

[mdrburchette]

PB Blaster is a penetrating spray that works well with frozen nuts and bolts:


Of course, it sounds like it's a bit too late for that.
What year is this car? Maybe someone has an extra hard line from a parts car they can sell you. It might be easier than trying to flare and bend a new line.

[driftandrally616]

Psst...check my signature, it's a '79. My old man took a look at it and my next plan is to buy some PB Blaster, a special brake line wrench and brake line, along with the bending tool. If that doesn't work then I plan to cut and flare it. But I am going to Cape Cod on Saturday so the car will be sitting for a week before I get to work on it. I might try a little bit tomorrow morning before I go to work in the afternoon, but chances of success are unlikely. Thanks for the loads of help, I'll probably post more again when I get back, if not tomorrow.

[mbouse]

flare nut wrenches usually come in sets of three. make sure you get metric. if you have already rounded off the corners of this flare nut, it may be already too late for a "special" wrench.

looks like Denise showed you a really good picture of a bending tool... the pb blaster can.

[driftandrally616]

Haha well I bought the bender tool, it was fairly inexpensive ($10), and I bought some bigger vice-grips but the stupid line is still tight as ever. I wish there was an easier way...I used PB Blaster as well, numerous times. Do I really need brakes? Kidding.

[mdrburchette]

You've probably crimped the nut to the line and made it tighter with those vise grips. If you want, I'll see if I can get the line off my 79 parts car. PM me if you're interested. We're talking about the left side, right?

I got my line wrenches at Sears for Christmas. There was a set of 4. I've noticed on my cars I've had to use a couple different sizes. Go ahead and invest in the right tools so it'll go easier on you next time around.

[So Cal Mark]

you wouldn't expect a brain surgeon to attempt a procedure using a rock and a sharp stick, get the right tools for the job and life will be so much better, and easier

[mbouse]

doesn't fiat use a "special" flare on the end of their brake lines? something that doesn't work with the american lines?

is it possible to use a flare nut of the correct 10mm x 1.25 thread, and ANY flare tool ??

looks like i may need to buy a flare nut and make an adjustment of my own, but all i have is an SAE flare tool.