Now I have rusty, stuck brake lines... help.

[jonrpick]

The title says it all... My flare-nut wrench just rounded them off. I need to get the two lines off the little block on top of the axle to get the axle out of the truck. They're stuck on good. I don't care about saving the lines, as I was going to replace them anyway. Am I better off just disconnecting it up near the frame and replacing the entire section? I don't see a flare-nut connection up there, looks like it's a press fit or held on with a clamp (I need to look at it better with a light).

Advise me please...

 

[lectric80]

If you have already rounded them, and you are going to replace them anyway, I would replace the entire section. You can try to get some vice grips to bite on them, and apply PB Blaster or similiar liberally.

 

[AKbigsub]

Since you don't care about saving the lines, why not just pinch off the rubber hose and cut the metal lines? Then soke the heck out of the fittings and use Vise Grips to remove them (or just replace the rubber hose/block assy.).

 

[AKbigsub]

If you have already rounded them, and you are going to replace them anyway, I would replace the entire section. You can try to get some vice grips to bite on them, and apply PB Blaster or similiar liberally.

Damn, you beat me to it.

 

[jonrpick]

Well I was hoping to salvage the block, but I could just clamp off the rubber line leading down to it somehow... I'll figure out how it connects up at the frame later on... I just thought maybe there was a better way.

Anything I should do to keep this from happening in the future? I assume anti-seize gunk isn't normally used on brake lines?

 

[lectric80]

Use stainless lines, other than that there really isn't much you can do. You don't want any type of antisieze, as it can get into the lines and cause other problems.

Edit- You should be able to salvage the block, if you remove the lines with the vice grips.

 

[AKbigsub]

Not a lot you could have done differently except soaking it really well before trying to loosen the fittings. Those things have probably never been touched since '86 (I'm assuming this is on the rig in your sig) and are rusted pretty good.

 

[jonrpick]

Use stainless lines, other than that there really isn't much you can do. You don't want any type of antisieze, as it can get into the lines and cause other problems.

Edit- You should be able to salvage the block, if you remove the lines with the vice grips.

Well, I figure the block is cheap enough... no worries about that.

Not a lot you could have done differently except soaking it really well before trying to loosen the fittings. Those things have probably never been touched since '86 (I'm assuming this is on the rig in your sig) and are rusted pretty good.

I figured as much. I'll just get the best lines I can. But then again, when will I need to remove them??? I won't unless I have to repair something or change axles.

Thanks...

 

[UPS]

I use never-sieze on all of my brake line fittings and haven't ever had a problem. I never-seize the thread and I also slide the tube fitting back and never-seize the tube. I make sure I don't get it in the tube though.
It works real well for me.
Mike

 

[Snowman1000]

You could try using one of those damaged nut removers that everyone has been talking about. I had to use them to remove every fitting on my brakelines.

 

[Blue85]

If the line is scrap anyway, just cut it near the fitting and pound/press a socket onto it. This gives way better grip than even a flare wrench.

 

[jonrpick]

If the line is scrap anyway, just cut it near the fitting and pound/press a socket onto it. This gives way better grip than even a flare wrench.

Well my brake cylinders look pretty nasty, and in the 5 years I've had the truck, the rear brakes have never been serviced. I'm gonna replace the cylinders (they look like they leak a little) and do it all up right since I'm rebuilding the axle. Mainly I just didn't want to lose the block, but no biggie...