[solved] Brake line flare nuts stuck; cut hard line out, replaced with new

I solved my problem with fresh new vice grips and cutting out the hard line. Details are on pages 5,6,7 of this thread.

 

I had the same issue with my 3rd gen 4runner..

what i did:

grabbed a large set of blue handle channel locks.

gripped it nice and tight.

twist.

voila

 

This is why I've been sitting on my SS brake lines for a year or two now...

 

Thanks...I tried the channel locks too, but when I try to break loose, the hard lines begin to rotate with the nut, and the brake lines will move from their seat on the bracket...

 

on a side note, the channel locks were new. so the teeth were at their sharpest.

 

ouchhhh

 

Mine have been sitting since April. lol

I am thinking of using a propane torch to heat the nut. Maybe 5-7 seconds of direct flame...

 

I would say get a buddy to hold the brake line firm at the base of the nut and use some big sharp toothed channel locks. But also u have to get that stupid thing back on but hopefully never again. and only 11ftlbs which is a lie. Penetrating oil the shit out of it for a few days.

 

I did break one loose on the axle bracket, the other mangled nut should come free with sufficient force and maybe heat. Even if that hard line is trashed, it's not too bad to replace, since it's a short piece from the drum to the bracket.

I am most worried about the nuts on the frame bracket. Such a shitty location, and those hard lines I want to be real careful with. So f'ing painful. Want to burn the truck down. lol

I had two different shop mechanics crawl under truck and look at it and they're like... yup... pain in the ass... We'll try...

 

ya mine was a few splint knuckles and a smashed thumb for the top two on the back. Having a second set of hands was worth it, my buddy tapped the 10mm box wrench with a mallet while i held it tight to the nut.

 

After lunch bump.

Anybody torched the nuts to get 'em to break loose?

 

i think only downside is the brake fluid in there but u will be flushing it also. I have used heat a few times on nuts and it worked well.

 

id be too scare that thing would catch on fire with the oil inside them lines..

 

I wouldn't use too much heat, maybe a hand held bic lighter, but def. not a torch.

When I did mine I think I used a nice big pair of vice grips and got them VERY tight. If needed I've used a second set of pliers to help lock the vice grips closed. Then slowly twist away.

 

Yes you need vice grips.

 

If you are going to use heat in that location I would suggest a heat gun vice and open flame.

Also you want to heat the FEMALE part not the male nut. that way the threaded hole will expand and get looser. If you heat the male tube nut it will get tighter.

 

Jimmy,

Thanks for chiming in. Yes. I did try a heat gun on the female side (soft brake line crimped fitting), but I don't think it got hot enough.

I realize it's hazardous with the open flame. I've got a welding pencil tip torch, so I can focus the flame well...

If I shield the rubber brake line with foil and hit the brake line fitting with a blue flame for 5-7 seconds, It may help, that's what I'm thinking. I could also try again and go back to the heat gun and try that some more, but I felt it took too long to heat up, and then everything was hot.

Thanks. I need to get some better ones than what I got now. but strong locking vise grips seem to be the ticket.

 

Yeah it is a bitch in tight spaces... I wish you luck and not too many skinned knuckles!

I'm sure you will get it.

 

I wouldn't worry about a propane flame, it's not like you're using acetylene

 

Beyond the above mentioned methods you could also try a little pipe wrench since it will tighten down and grab, just be careful you're not rounding it off even more.