Transmission Line Help Needed....!!!!

I'm attempting to replace the tranny lines to the cooler which are leaking. Easy, eh? Maybe if you have an AZ rig but not so if it looks like it's been on the bottom of the North Atlantic for 50 years. My hold up is where the lines go into the tranny fittings. Before I go full destructive and cut the tube to put a 6 pt. 17mm deep socket on it, is there anything else that comes to mind?

Photo is of the fittings marinating in PB. I wire brushed them and ran dental picks to clean them up.

 

I’d try the 50/50 ATF and acetone mix. Let it soak for a day or two, reapplying a few times. After that, hit it with some heat and very slowly work on cracking the fittings loose. As soon as they budge, work some more of the ATF/acetone in and then tighten them back down a bit before backing them out further. Keep repeating until they come all the way out. As far as the fittings that screw into the transmission housing, I know they look rough on the outside, but the threaded portion that screws into the transmission uses a washer seal. I’d be willing to bet the threads themselves aren’t too bad once you get them out.

 

Are you using flare wrenches? Highly recommended.


$40 for a set from Harbor Freight.

 

I have a set of those same ones. THEY SUCK. Loose and sloppy fit.
I ended up buying a set of Craftsman that fit MUCH better.

The key to good line wrench is a tight fit.

Maybe they have improved since I bought mine a few years ago?
But the ones I have are garbage.

 

OP, I've had a pair of vice grips save my ass a few times.
Might be worth a try.......

I'd start with a line wrench first though....

 

I can believe it. Mine are 50 YO Craftsman's, maybe check pawn shops or Craigslist.

But yeah... This looks like a time when Vice Grips might be the only choice, those are pretty crusty.

 

I got mine off with a good fitting 17mm open end wrench. They were not as bad as I feared and looked much like yours from the outside.

 

If you can find an opened wrench that uses the flank drive splines, it might work.

 

Thanks for all the input. I got them off. After trying for the longest time in being careful not to round the fittings off, I decided to go the destructive route. I cut the line and put a 6 point socket on it and they came of surprisingly easy. Installed the new stainless lines and tomorrow I'll check for leaks. Being that I did lose some fluid, would it be advisable to add a quart before I check for leaks and then go through the fluid level procedure?

 

I would if you have some to hand. I replaced all of my lines with AN soft lines and plumbed in a larger cooler, so I had to go up a little under a quart anyway.

 

I'm preparing to do all the pulleys and serp belt on the front of my engine, so while I'm there, what is the best tactic to prevent these lines from getting rusty? A friend owns a local shop that specializes in Toyotas, he says they have to replace those lines often, as they get very rusty and start leaking. Maybe a couple coats of Rustoleum paint?

 

I would not bet on getting good adhesion with any kind of coating unless they were off the truck and fully degreased, and a cruddy coating is only going to make them rust worse and faster. You could use a lanolin product (fluid film, woolwax) but it would be extremely difficult to get them from all sides and you would end up with overspray everywhere.