Stainless Steel Brake Lines

[Dbelleperc]

I have the fronts in but I find it difficult to do the rear. Has anyone done the rear and how have you got the rear clip off by the engine. Thanks in advance. David.

[Dave at Pelican Parts]

The way that I have heard it done most frequently is:

1) Remove the engine.
2) Use your best pair of vise grips.
3) Invent lots of new swear words, and try again.
4) Repeat step 3 until your wife calls the guys in white coats....

For almost everyone, it is a really nasty evil job. I wish I knew what those other folks did to make it not so nasty....

--DD

[HMeeder]

I have done this, I think, 3 times now. The problem occurs when you can't get to the 'forked' side of the clip. IIRC I used a screwdriver or punch type devise and hammer to tap, tap, tap the clip lightly and get it to rotate around the brake line end until the fork is kind of facing toward the engine (in other words, if you could put your head up there, you could see the end of each 'tine' of the fork.) Now alternate tapping the tines, first left then right until it begins to move toward the corner of the engine compartment. Once you get it to move a bit, there will be a gap between the inner curve of the clip and the brake line end (up on top, where you can't see.) Try getting a shorty screwdriver in there to pry and twist the clip away from the brake line end. There isn't much room to do this and you need the hands of the Keebler Elf, but it can be done!

I managed to set the car on a jackstand with the brake line in the way and... snap! I got it swapped out in about 15 minutes.

Good luck.

[bowlsby]

I have not done this, but I heard that you remove the drain funnel and tube, and go in through the engine bay hole with a crows foot wrench on an extension. Sounds plausible, but I have not tried it.

[chrisreale]

When I did it, my engine was out, and it still was a pain in the arse. Vice grips, screwdrivers and elbow grease all work together in this endevour

[3D914]

I ditto Herb,

except that I used an open-end wrench as a punch. One that is large enough to fit on both sides of the clip.

good luck,