Actually I think they were replaced in 2005 but regardless I do not think I wouldn't be putting my safety at risk by keeping them on until I can get new hard lines and replace all the wheel lines at once, which is what I meant to say (I think it came across that I would just leave them in indefinitely). I already have the new soft lines, after all, but if I can't get the fitting at the strut apart, I can't replace them. I can do the job myself, but I would really like to get the car back on the road and Out of the garage some time this week, rather than wait until I can get ew hard lines (no one has them in stock) if I'm lucky I'll find a local shop that can fabricate them locally.