It should be easy but I'm not having fun.

I am having trouble screwing in the hard brake lines onto the MC. I got 2 of the 3 on smoothly. I don't want to 'force' anything. I've lubed the threads with WD40 and it helps a little but my biggest fear is cross threading it.

Does anyone have tips on how to safely attach the hard brake lines with no danger of cross threading?

fyi- nothing is cross threaded yet. all threads look good on the male and female ends.

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Ben
1987 190d 2.5Turbo

loosen all lines and bolts, so you can manuver the MC with the lines!
it also helps if you can see how the lines need to be bent for perfect alignment.
I usually put the nuts tight against the line and manuver the MC for perfect fit.
also, slowly turn the nuts backwards until you feel the threads drop into place, then turn them in!

let the lines guide you.

send the flare end into the MC bore wit the nut out of the way.

estimate the position of the line in the center of the bore.

adjust the line so that you find a good center before attempting to thread the nut in.

trial and error


###ditto on turning the nuts backwards first!! good one.

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If it is a rebuilt MC a look at the threads in the Master Cylinder to see if the are buggerd up. Before the MC was rebuilt one of the prior owners could have messed up the threads; also during the rebuilt the cores are handled roughly during cleaning and they can get dented in the worst places.

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84 300D, 82 Volvo 244Gl Diesel

The seals in brake components are very incompatible with petroleum products. Any "lubing" is best done with brake fluid. (Which is not to say that lubrication is the solution to the problem at hand.)