Brake line installation, looking for some tips and tricks!

[Huffer]

Ok everyone, I'm looking to replace my 12 year old brake lines this weekend with the Techna Fit lines.

Anyone got any tips or tricks to be aware of, and any specialty/useful tools that I might need beforehand?

Cheers!

[StatGSR]

Get yourself a set of flare nut wrenches if you don't already have them. Craftsmen has them as well as several others I'm sure.. These work great for disconnecting old brake lines, as well as sensors, basically good for anything that you can't get a socket over and want to prevent from rounding by using and open ended wrench.

example of a flare nut wrench


here are the ones i got.
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_1260 ... 942013000P

[httrdd]

Take them out of your house, box them up, ship to Pittston,pa. Done!

[Huffer]

TJ, I'll swap you the brake lines for the 3.3L of fury. I have a manual, it's cooler anyway. :P

[httrdd]

Ha!

Make a nice description of the install, cause I am doing mine soon too along with other oem parts.

[Huffer]

Get yourself a set of flare nut wrenches

here are the ones i got.
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_1260 ... 942013000P

Thanks Stat! I will look into these.

I've read stories about people still having issues getting the nut undone even with a flare wrench, and basically destroying it. If that happens, what next?

[rougeben83]

Haha, I can finally tell you to use the search engine Roger!

viewtopic.php?f=39&t=11105



If that fails, blow torch and direct use of vice grips to the offending line.

[phi11]

yeah, my flare nut wrench didn't work,
I did end up using vice grips, lol.

[Hocrest]

If you can, spray the connectors with PB blaster or some other good penetrating oil in advance of when you're going to do the work. If you spray them the day you work on it, at least give it 30 minutes of soaking time.

There is a stamped metal sleeve clip that holds the line in the bracket. Don't pull the clip out until you have the fitting loose.

Use a wrench to hold the large metal collar at the end of the flex line, and the flare wrench that Stat mentioned to turn the nut on the metal line.

When you start turning the nut, make sure that it is spinning on the metal line, and not seized to the metal line and twisting it.

If you start to "round over" the nut or twist the metal line. Stop and spray it down and move to the next corner while that one soaks.

If you screw up that fitting, you need to replace the metal line, either by getting a straight piece and bending it properly without kinking it and then using a flare tool to get a perfect flare on it, or waiting until the dealer gets the proper one in stock for you, so don't screw up the metal line. And then run the chance of the next fitting being bad and having to replace the next section of line...

I've had brake line come apart very easy and incredibly hard (Brat). Good luck.

[Huffer]

Thanks guys, and thanks Ben! I actually looked for your DIY but didn't see it. Damn my old eyes.