Brake line nut stripped / brake hose disconnect

[Eric Fairclough]

Hello, I was trying to disconnect the front brake hoses and the metal line were it meets the front rubber brake hose stripped and would not turn. I even used vise grips and could not get it off. Do i have to replace the entire metal brake line? Do the sell a prebent one of do i have to bend a line myself? Can i use a torch to heat it up? Maybe this will get it off and if it does can i reuse the line? Thanks Eric

[Bob Malone #35242]

Re: Brake line nut stripped / brake hose disconnec

Eric, you didn't mention the year of your car but you can buy brake lines from most of the normal sources of Corvette parts. The brake lines come pre-bent and in sections just like the originals.
Since you will be replacing the line anyway, you may have to cut the line to remove the wheel cylinder (I'm assuming an older, drum brake car).

[Steve Junkersfeld]

Re: Brake line nut stripped / brake hose disconnec

Eric, Although you didn't provide a year for your Corvette, there are prebent lines available for all years. I recommend that you use a hacksaw to cut the line, remove the line clip and unscrew the rubber hose from the wheel cylinder. Remove the damaged lines (both rubber and steel)and replace them. DO NOT USE A TORCH, as there are plently of flammable items under your Corvette. Good Luck, Steve

[Stephen L.]

Re: Brake line nut stripped / brake hose disconnec

Eric, as suggested you might as well cut the line...had the same problem a month ago and I cut the line with a "lineman" cutter if you can't get to it with a hacksaw.... (electrical wire cutter). It cuts easily. Before you order new lines you better see how many fittngs back you need to go to get one that unscrews... You may be faced with more than this one line to replace and you may as well order what you need only once. Also, you may want to replace both/ all rubber hoses if they are old to avoid a surprise line break later on..... Good Luck!!!

[Chuck R.]

Re: Brake line nut stripped / brake hose disconnec

Hi Eric:

Definately DO NOT use heat. gauranteed that you will build up pressur in the line, and if the rubber hose has any weaknesses Phssssst hot brake fluid in the face.

More than likely, using the vise grips has squashed the fitting and locked it even tighter into the rubber brake line's fitting.

Your options are wide and varied depending on the extent of correctness you wish to achive in getting replacement parts. There are tons of suppliers out ther who sell individual pre-bent lines that can solve your delema.
DR. Rebuild, Muskegon Brake, Corvette Classics, Zip, Chicago Corvette, etc, etc, etc.

More than likely your going to end up sacrificing the rubber lines no matter what you do to get things apart.

There just is not an easy way out when it comes to old metal lines.

Good luck.

Chuck 32205