Re: <E30>Removing Stubborn Brake lines

["Russ Maki" <rinard@xxxxxxxxxx>]

Vise-Grips makes an excellent tool that's tailor made for that tough brake
line fitting -- far better than any flare wrench I've ever used.

The company calls it a "locking wrench"; it looks quite similar to standard
Vise Grips except that it has a V-shaped notch cut into the fixed jaw. When
locked, the wrench clamps down on three surfaces of the flare nut without
damaging it. I've used the smallest version of this wrench (they make three
in varying sizes) to change brake hoses on three '80s-era German cars in the
last couple years and caused a leak on only one line out of 12.

The wrench is available at most major hardware stores. It WILL resolve your
frozen brake line issues! And don't forget to pick up a can of penetrating
oil while you're there.

Russ

> from: Robert Phelan <centuri@domain.elided>
> Subject: <E30>Removing Stubborn Brake lines.
>
> In all my wrenching on E30's, I've found one task where success
> continues to elude me.  Removing the soft rubber brake lines in the
> wheel wells from the hard lines that come from the engine bay.
>
> The little nut on top always wants to round off and they're put on
> there so darned tight that it's almost as though I'd need an impact
> hammer to get them off.
>
> Is there some trick to this troublesome tubing?
>
> Any help would be appreciated.
>
> Robert Phelan

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