Removing rack and pinion issue

I’m trying to remove the rack and pinion on my 99’ tacoma and for some reason the flare nut is spinning the line. I’ve tried gripping the line with some vice grips, using map gas to heat the nut, lots and lots of penetrating oil. No luck. I’ve broken the nut loose from the rack but the line is just spinning with the nut so I can’t fully remove it and continue the job. What should I do?

 

Ah yes, rust

I'm not sure if that's the return or pressure line If it's the return there's no harm in cutting it going to AutoZone and asking for the same preflared line and running 3/8s trans cooler hose off the preflared line to wherever it goes

Or if you don't need the truck now order the part

But If that's the pressure line, that yeah you're hosed

 

Probably don’t help that the idiot bubba who had this truck before me undercoated it to try and hide the rusting issues lol

 

Ha, ya love those guys

 

I’m pretty sure it’s the pressure line my luck lol

 

I did a similar job a month ago, had a leaking P/S line and ended up having to remove the rack to get enough clearance to undo those connections. Here are a couple pics I took as I was doing the disassembly.





The connection that is closer to you can stay on, because you can just remove the rubber hose that's behind the UCA. The connector near the back in my case didn't enough clearance to remove without dropping the rack. I'm surprised you were able to bust it free. Make sure you've removed the three connection points on the power steering lines where they are bolted to the frame. If you're in the rust belt I would just recommend cutting and buying new lines. It's not a job I would want to do twice.

 

You can remove them with the set of harbor freight line wrenches without removing the rack on a 4x4 just fine without unbolting the clamp by the uca either

 

I tried for at least an hour or two, I really *really* didn't want to drop the rack in my case but I didn't feel like I had any other option. I think when I got my frame replaced the tech must have torqued the crap out of that connection.

 

Update, I just ended up taking the whole damn line off the truck and pulling it out. Once out I could spin it free , considering I’m not keeping this truck much longer I’m probably just gonna reinstall the same way tired of throwing money into a rust bucket


Also, the rag joint was STUCK STUCK. I had to whack it like 50 plus times with a mallet, heat it up etc etc just to barely get it off.

 

Yeah the rag joint on my rust free 01 4 runner was rust welded onto the rack despite being a rust free Texas truck

The one on my 95 Tacoma slid off no sweat

 

Yeah i'm doing the same job myself. i ended up cutting both lines, put a 6 point socket and ran extensions up front where i could spin a breaker bar/ratchet. i didn't realize the close one(return) didn't need to be taken out. It was pretty rusty though. i'm going to try to flare some line and re-use the fitting.

 

It’s a painful job haha, once you get it out man have fun with that rag joint. I beat on it for so long lol

 

Smart thinking. That would have saved me a lot of time replacing my P/S lines.