Date: Wed, 10 Jul 2013 10:23:56 -0400
Reply-To: Mike B <mbucchino@CHARTER.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Mike B <mbucchino@CHARTER.NET>
Subject: Re: 11mm brake line wrench
In-Reply-To: <BAY152-DS11D51A2DC20E6BD2A7CE12A07A0@phx.gbl>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8; format=flowed
It's not a great idea to apply the heat from a torch to brake line
fittings to get them loose. If you heat the wheel cylinder or master
cylinder, you may destroy the rubber cups inside. Or in the case of the
rubber flex lines, the lines may degrade. If your fittings are THAT
corroded, that even after a bath of PB Blaster (WD-40 is not a very
good penetrant) that they distort when an open-end wrench is attempted,
that they slip and spread the jaws open when a flare-nut wrench is used,
that you need to use a torch to break them loose, well it's time to cut
the line and use a box-end wrench or 6-point socket on it. If it still
just wants to round off, now you must resort to vice grips, as it's just
not going to come off, and it's beyond saving anyway. You're gonna have
to bite the bullet and replace the line(s). And possibly more, once you
start looking at everything with a "jaundiced eye", as St. Muir once
explained.
I recently replaced EVERY line on my '87 Westy, as they looked like
they came from the Titanic. Hard lines, flex lines, line clips and all.
I use cunifer (copper-nickel-ferrous) tubing and new flarenuts. NO
REUSED OLD JUNK to trust my families live on! After all, it's only your
life that may be saved by your brakes, right? Maybe even someone
elses? I have a complete list with lengths, if anyone is interested,
as i took the extra time to not only DO IT RIGHT, but to take notes so
others might benefit from my labor in this task.
Mike B.
On 7/10/2013 1:40 AM, Dennis Haynes wrote:
> The wrench you need is often known as a "heat wrench". Yes a torch! A good oxy-acetylene torch carefully used will get these fitting a part easily. When heating the hose connections plan to replace them just in case.
>
> Dennis
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of Mike Riley
> Sent: Wednesday, July 10, 2013 1:04 AM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: 11mm brake line wrench
>
> I guess I need to clarify things a bit. I have several sets of flare nut wrenches and get no joy from them. The problem is not twisting the lines but breaking the nut loose without rounding it off. Tried several sets and all the same, they spring open when subjected to the force needed to break the nut loose. The nuts have had a bath in penitrating oil to no avail. Sometimes they warp the nut instead of rounding it off. I have had sucess with carefully using vice grips but don't like it as it is very easy to mangle the nut. need some kind of wrench that closes the gap.
> mike
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