Has anyone ever heard of this?
 

I swear I've heard of this somewhere re: using a torch to remove a stripped rubber brake line from either the caliper or from the brake pipe. I was talking to someone the other day about this, I know in the past I've heard of someone using an acetylene/oxygen torch to remove such a brake line. Rather than spend 20+ minutes trying to remove it with (maybe) vise-grips, this person stood back a few feet, applied heat on the fitting at the brake pipe (or caliper) for about fifteen-seconds. Suddenly the brake hose and fitting make a definite "pop" and off comes the stubborn stripped fitting on the hose. Somehow the threads aren't damaged on the brake pipe union nor the caliper. Is this possible?? Anyone ever hear of this technique?? I have actually watched skilled mechanics spend a half-hour trying to remove a stripped hose fitting from a pipe union or a caliper as opposed to just applying heat and being done with it.

:eek: No one actually knows if it is possible, it's one of few mysteries in the world that continues to baffle scientist, defying all laws of physics! :eek:

It's possible, but I doubt I will try it. I once watched 2 of my friends struggle with seating a heavy truck tire on a rim to be able to get it to begin to hold air. They tried grease, etc., then after about 2 hours, they filled it with ether then lit it. The resulting explosion seated the bead nicely. Meanwhile I was ducking the globs of flaming grease that they had neglected to remove first. I don't think I will use that technique either.

Truck drivers are fun to watch :)