breaking loose a rounded brake line fitting at the strut housing

[Otter74]

I am putting new front calipers and soft lines on my SC, and when I started on this last weekend, despite using a flare nut wrench and despite the fitting having been undone only a few months ago, and despite trying to be careful, I eventually rounded that ****er off.

(it was slightly buggered from the April removal, which I suspect was what led to the current problem.)

Since replacing the calipers is necessary now but replacing the soft line can be put off until later, and since I don't want it to spend weeks more on stands in the garage - no one has that Cohline hard line in stock - I'm probably just going to do the calipers and fluid tomorrow and deal with the fitting and lines later.

Unfortunately clearance issues restrict my options somewhat for breaking it loose - I can't fit Vice Grips on there in any orientation that gives me any hope of getting leverage on it, for instance. I suppose I could file the flats down to 10mm and put that size flare nut wrench on it.

Any suggestions for getting that nut loose in the space available?

[bpu699]

Originally Posted by Otter74

I am putting new front calipers and soft lines on my SC, and when I started on this last weekend, despite using a flare nut wrench and despite the fitting having been undone only a few months ago, and despite trying to be careful, I eventually rounded that ****er off.

(it was slightly buggered from the April removal, which I suspect was what led to the current problem.)

Since replacing the calipers is necessary now but replacing the soft line can be put off until later, and since I don't want it to spend weeks more on stands in the garage - no one has that Cohline hard line in stock - I'm probably just going to do the calipers and fluid tomorrow and deal with the fitting and lines later.

Unfortunately clearance issues restrict my options somewhat for breaking it loose - I can't fit Vice Grips on there in any orientation that gives me any hope of getting leverage on it, for instance. I suppose I could file the flats down to 10mm and put that size flare nut wrench on it.

Any suggestions for getting that nut loose in the space available?

Cut the hard line, then use an impact wrench to get it off.

Autozone, advanced auto, or napa sell the hardlines in 1, 2, 3 foot lengths with the fittings attached. $10. You bend it to fit. Really easy. No need to wait for a hard line. They have them plated or epoxy coated...

Did this last year.

Bo

[juanbenae]

when you decide you are ready remove the clip that holds the junction of the hard and soft lines fitting to the strut and it will move out some for a better get. since the munged up hardline likely has to be replaced and you have new soft lines you could dremmel the female fitting of the soft line to aid in releasing the hard line, munged up male if I'm following you.

if you remove the clip and the cut the hardline just at the munged fitting both should pull apart & out of the strut with no need to even separate the two now useless lines.

[juanbenae]

the hardline male fitting as I recall will fit through the approx. 5/8" hold in the strut. those clips can be a pain in the arse though to be sure.

[john walker's workshop]

A little heat, a little beeswax and some junior visegrips.

[juanbenae]

Originally Posted by john walker's workshop

A little heat, a little beeswax and some junior visegrips.

do you apply the beeswax between heating cycles as to draw it in like solder might on a pipe fitting?

lastly, can earwax be substituted for the bee's goods?

[Otter74]

Beeswax! Thanks for reminding me of that trick. I only learned about it last year.

I'm not clear on the clip - how does it come off? Looking at it, and looking at the photo of it on the parts listing here, it looks like a standoff clip of sorts that can only be removed once I separate those lines. If I could pull the clip out (?) and pull the hard line out through the hole while still attached, hat would be great.

[Targalid]

It is a flat spring metal clip. It can be moved with a screwdriver, then grab the edge with needle nose pliers and pull it out. Small vise grips are a big help with this job.