Technical How to loosen brake lines?

I am working on a 1950 Pontiac and have run into a problem with the front brake hose replacement. I can't get the old hoses to break free from the hard lines. I have soaked them in penetrating oil for several days and they still won't budge. I have just about ruined the driver's side fitting trying to free it up.
Any tips on how to do the job would be greatly appreciated.

 

Might just have to cut it off and change the hard line. Or vice grips really tight

 

That's what fitting wrenches are for, they grip multiple sides of the fitting instead of just 2, allowing you to apply much more force without slipping. An open end wrench on a tight fitting is a disaster.

 

Buy the absolute best quality flare nut wrenches you can afford! Look for USA made wrenches


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Fire wrench, works every time. Just remember to cut the rubber hoses out because they will blow from pressure and you will have Chinese fire dragon to contend with.

 

Your going to replace the rubber lines anyway, correct? Cut 'em and throw them away. Get new ones. Same with the steel. All new stuff is cheap insurance,

 

Cut and replace!

Pat

 

heat up steel and melt candle wax into the threads

 

If the lines have been on the car long enough they grow together and you can only save one. In your case you want to save the hard line. I believe your line is held in place by a clip, pull the clip out cut the hose and unscrew the end off the hard line. Then you have to carefully work the nut free of the line without using penetrating oil or WD40. In any case you have to cut the old line, get it free of the mounting bracket and unscrew it.
When replacing a hard line I just cut it off flush with pliers or snips and unscrew it with a socket wrench.

If they are really old or have any rust on them might as well replace the whole works. It's not as hard as it looks if you use the new copper nickel line that has the added advantage that it never rusts.

 

I've had good success with cleaning the fittings with a small wire brush, soaking the fitting with a penetrating oil, using a six point tubing wrench or a six point socket; I try and always tighten the fitting first which usually breaks the rust on the first thread into the fitting. Almost always the line will break loose unless the fitting is really rusted to the line.

 

Agree on cut the hose and get out the blue wrench. I just bought a couple of new line wrenches. A 3/8 x 7/16 and a 10mm x 12mm. I see a lot of bleeder screws that years ago were 3/8, now they are 10mm for some reason.

 

That's because they are offshore parts.
1950 lines and hoses should be deposited in the nearest trash can. Don't try to save them.

 

I am using line wrenches. I guess it's just 68 years of rust and corrosion.

 

I would still like to get the lines out in one piece. It will be easier to replicate them that way. The fittings at the master cylinder are rusted up as well but that's what you get when the MC is under the car.

 

Thanks for the tips. I have cleaned the fittings the best I can and sprayed them with penetrating oil over a three day period and still no luck.

 

I have been told to use a torch to heat the fittings them quench them with a cold wet rag. I was also told that if there is fluid in the lines the heat could cause it to expand and bust the lines. There is no fluid in them so that won't be a problem.

 

Replace the steel lines along with the rubber hoses. If the fittings are rounding off with a line wrench, the lines themselves can't be in too good of condition.
I've had pretty good luck cutting off the lines at the fittings and using a 6 point socket on the fittings off at places like the master cylinder and wheel cylinders. Doesn't help the old lines, but does wonders to save the cylinders. Gene

 

I like to cut the lines off at the fitting. Remove from the car without bending them if possible. Then use them as a pattern to bend new lines, taping the old line to the new with masking tape as I go. The new line will need some tweaking to fit, but will be pretty close.

 

Rusty O'Tool probably gave the best and most viable answer.
As far as tubing/line wrenches go My SnapOn line wrenches have never failed me. The few Napa brand ones are pretty good, don't bother with the Craftsman as they spring.

 

A pair of quality vice grips are what I use.

 

That's what I use following behind someone who used a cheap open end wrench.

 

I am replacing the wheel cylinders and the master. If the heat trick doesn't work I will cut the lines.

 

Once your to the point the fittings are a lost cause I've found a small 6" pipe wrench works real good, better than vice grips. Vice grips jaws are triangular and will slide or crush the fitting, pipe wrenches are directional and grip stronger as force is added.

 

TMI buddy, now tell us about the car....

 

The new line wrenches I got are made by Proto and are thick around the hex. The Craftsman ones I have especially the 3/8 x 7/16 has got to be 40 years old and well abused. It works for lines that don't put up a fight.

 

If they're already rounded off, vise grips and a sharp rap in the off direction usually breaks them loose.


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Replace all lines. You're trying to be very penny wise and dollar foolish. You having good brakes, just might save my life some day.

 

Cut the hose and take the backing plate off, 50/50 atf paint thinner to loosen the hose. Inline tube makes the best hard line kit and here are company's out that can resleeve wheel cylinders and master cyl ,if you want to keep the original's, the new stuff is junk.

 

Replace it all. I have all the equipment to make new lines, but in business, I find it easier to order pre-bent lines from one of the many companys out there who have the factory bending patterns

 

Cut and replace,by the time you use vice grips the lines will be boogered up. HRP