Replacing Brake Hoses, any tips?

[Fiat88]

So, I'm doing my first brake job ever on a car. I'm putting in the 5 new brake hoses, pads, pad springs. Right now I have the front on jackstands and am tackling the driver and passanger side brakes. Replacing the rubber hoses are giving me an issue as disconnecting them from the hardlines is a pain. Any tips?

BTW, looks like I'm gonna have to replace the calipers as the outside rubber around the piston is bad.

[So Cal Mark]

make sure you use a line wrench so you don't ruin the hard lines. When you get to bleeding the rears, disconnect the compensator link and wire it up as high as it will go so the compensator is wide open

[Fiat88]

make sure you use a line wrench so you don't ruin the hard lines. When you get to bleeding the rears, disconnect the compensator link and wire it up as high as it will go so the compensator is wide open

That could explain why I'm having such a hard time, hopefully the 10mm nut is not stripped badly as I was using a vicegrip on it as the 10mm open-end wrench wasn't grasping. Will go to sears for a set of flare/line wrenches tomorrow.

[So Cal Mark]

the problem with vise grips is they crush the nut on the tube. A set of flare nut wrenches is mandatory

[Fiat88]

the problem with vise grips is they crush the nut on the tube. A set of flare nut wrenches is mandatory

Bought a nice set of craftsman flare nut wrenches but the passanger side front hardline nut is too far stripped to get a hold on to disconnect the rubber hoses. Are these lines available from local chain auto stores.

I learned my lesson that its best to work with the proper tools.

[baltobernie]

I learned my lesson that its best to work with the proper tools.

I think we've all had to learn that lesson the hard way!

Yes, you can get pre-made metal hoses with the proper fittings at your local auto parts store. You want the "import" lines with metric fittings. Sometimes an adaptor or two is required to get the gender correct for your application. Take your buggered line with you to get it right.

[Fiat88]

I learned my lesson that its best to work with the proper tools.

I think we've all had to learn that lesson the hard way!

Yes, you can get pre-made metal hoses with the proper fittings at your local auto parts store. You want the "import" lines with metric fittings. Sometimes an adaptor or two is required to get the gender correct for your application. Take your buggered line with you to get it right.

Will do, I tried to get it off one last time and the flare nut ripped off the hardline. Now I'm soaking the other end which goes to the master cylinder but that nut looks like it's kind of stripped also but not from me.

I still have to do the rear caliper hoses and center one but now i'm kind of nervous. The passanger side that I failed with didn't have a lock tab which holds the rubber hose. Does that need to be there when I try to unbolt the flare nut?

[manoa matt]

Those fittings on the end of the hard lines are made of a softer grade of steel. After a few rubber hose change outs with the wrong tools the 6 hex sides will get rounded over at the edges. This prevents a line wrench from ever fitting and even an open end wrench. Since the metal is soft you can take a flat file and square up the faces of the hex. At that point you should be able to get the line wrench on. A generous soak with PB blaster for a few hours or even the night before is also manditory. If still no go, you can try heating the metal end of the rubber hose that the fitting screws into. Sometimes just the heat will expand the hose end, and the fitting will come out. However, a heaing and cooling/quenching sequence several times will ususally break free the stubborn ones.

[Fiat88]

Those fittings on the end of the hard lines are made of a softer grade of steel. After a few rubber hose change outs with the wrong tools the 6 hex sides will get rounded over at the edges. This prevents a line wrench from ever fitting and even an open end wrench. Since the metal is soft you can take a flat file and square up the faces of the hex. At that point you should be able to get the line wrench on. A generous soak with PB blaster for a few hours or even the night before is also manditory. If still no go, you can try heating the metal end of the rubber hose that the fitting screws into. Sometimes just the heat will expand the hose end, and the fitting will come out. However, a heaing and cooling/quenching sequence several times will ususally break free the stubborn ones.

Thanks for the tip Matt. Now I need a replacement line for the passanger side. What kind of flare nut fitting do these lines use. Gonna see if I can find a new line locally. Now sure what to ask the parts guy? Thanks.

[baltobernie]

Take the old line, fittings and all, to the parts store. A little longer line is OK, but they don't stretch . Make sure the threads on his suggestion match your Fiat by try-fitting them on a fitting in the store of the same pitch. If you/he gets this wrong, you'll ruin the caliper and/or master cylinder.

The front brake lines are held to the body by plastic clips. Take some photos while you work if you need to remember the routing.

[robmorais]

I just did the same project. If you need a complete set of hard lines IAP has them - brand new but unbent... If you are looking for good used call Turin Auto in kalamazoo MI. While you are at it you might as well change out all the rubber hoses - 30 year old rubber can go at any time... Those are avail from any parts store as are the calip. Got mine from advance - BUT - inspect them carefully... I had to reject 3 for not having been rebuilt correctly. Depending on where you live you can get them rebuilt locally - its an easy job...

When doing the rear lines - BE very careful not to cross thread the distribution block. Do that and its trash - very hard to find...
Good Luck!

[Fiat88]

Got the flare nut off the master cylinder and the line out of the car. Will go and try to find a new line locally with the right fitting but I'm not to optimistic.

[Fiat88]

Couldn't find a line locally but I wasn't betting on I would.

[Fiat88]

Just placed an order with Vicks for a complete set of 6 new lines. I figured that I might as well go that route because I still have to replace the rear rubber hoses and if the flare nuts are in rough shape I'm gonna have the same problem with getting them off. Hate it when things don't go the way you imagined but that's life I guess!

[Fiat88]

UPS delivered the new set of lines from Vicks along with the awesome silver Rota Rims I ordered from Mark!

My question: What are the required tools to bend the new lines. Just a brake line tube bender? Any tips?