Defeated by a brake hose

[MBDFahrer]

Alright, I've been doing a brake job on the 300D and I'm trying to replace the brake hoses. Unfortunately due to much corrosion and whatnot, I've become a bit overwhelmed with trying to remove the old hoses.

I've tried: Liquid Wrench Penetrating Oil, PB Blaster, Aerokroil, and Freeze Off.

I only managed to get one of them off, and the other is rather thoroughly stripped. And I haven't even touched the front ones yet for the sake of stripping them.

I've tried flare nut wrenches, I've tried locking pliers, I'm trying to find locking wrenches now.

Any words of wisdom from those who have replaced the rubber hoses?

Thanks in advanced.

[fruitcakesa]

Yes, the rear hoses in my 82 came out hard and I ended up using a small vise grip on the fitting. It uglied it up some but it worked.

[MBDFahrer]

Mine is ugly already and laughs at vise grips

[fruitcakesa]

Ouch

Originally Posted by MBDFahrer

Mine is ugly already and laughs at vise grips

[Ether]

Heat. Very carefully applied with a torch. The flexible line can rupture if the fluid inside gets hot so make sure the line is bled first.

Also, I've never attempted this but, my indie tells me that it all else fails you can cut the line at the fitting, put on a new one and re-flare the end. He says that there is usually enough play in the hard line for it to reach.

[funola]

When they are stripped and rounded like that, vice grips won't work. A small pipe wrench will!

[leathermang]

I have never seen a pipe wrench that small..but if you can find one that does seem like it would work...
You may be using the wrong type of vise grips... check out some other gripping configurations...

[MBDFahrer]

Well believe it or not but I do have a pipe wrench that small and using it just further chewed it up. I'm contemplating just cutting it off and getting new fittings but I can't seem to find them.

[funola]

Originally Posted by MBDFahrer

Well believe it or not but I do have a pipe wrench that small and using it just further chewed it up. I'm contemplating just cutting it off and getting new fittings but I can't seem to find them.

I went through exactly what you're going through now last summer stripping the head with vise grips and finally got it off by heating it up with a propane torch then a pipe wrench. A pipe wrench, unlike vise grips, tightens more as you apply more torque and is not suppose to strip the pipe (if used properly).

[MBDFahrer]

I guess I'll just have to resort to torch. How long should I heat it for and where exactly, since the bracket is there and all with the sunroof drain in the way. Also how can I use heat safely for the front lines since its right up against the wheel well?

[funola]

Originally Posted by MBDFahrer

I guess I'll just have to resort to torch. How long should I heat it for and where exactly, since the bracket is there and all with the sunroof drain in the way. Also how can I use heat safely for the front lines since its right up against the wheel well?

Heat the nut and the part that it threads into for 30 sec to 1 minute, then squirt some water on it. Then heat again and then use the pipe wrench. You may have to use a heat shield if there are plastics in the way or you may have to remove things so you can use a torch.

[MBDFahrer]

Another thing of concern is... where can I get the new connectors? Since, as you can see, that one is pretty much trashed.

[turbobenz]

make sure the line is open at the caliper before you heat it with a torch

[pop & blow]

take a hack saw and cut the line into at below the spring clip and it should all fall out the take the line to the parts house and get a new line short one to put back insave the spring clip you will need it to back with the line size is 4.75 you can buy lines with the fittings already on the lines so all you have to do is bend the new line back in the shape of the old line be careful it will bend double if not careful it does not have to be exact just tightened the line until it does not leak also pick up a new rubber line to the caliper...good luck... that fitting is ugly cut it out and replace....

[pop & blow]

Don't Use Torch....