rlax31

I'm trying to change the brake lines in the front. I tried using two open ended wrenches and working it that way, but the metal on the nuts are soft and are stripping. This is really worrying me that I won't be able to get them off as one of the lines is ruined and can't be used, and I HAVE to have it done tomorrow. Any help would be appriciated

RE AND CHERYL

Starting a little late, aren't ya.

I'd use vise grips.

Z95m6

lol, your having a nightmare of an install. I went to the autoparts store and bought a Flarenut 12mm wrench and even it started to round the fittings off. Even against my better judgement i was forced to use Vicegrips.

rlax31

Starting? I've been working on this thing all day. It's been terrible. First trouble getting the knuckles loose, now the lines will just NOT come off. And the fittings on the main lines are stripped. I am freaking out here

Z95m6

i've heard people have made the LT1 lines work. I think if i was you i would just take the lines off the LT1 caliper and leave it attached at the body. Then just use them on the LS1 calipers. I think i remember you saying you had braided lines you were going to use but at this point i would just worry about getting them on.

rlax31

one of the LT1 lines are ruined, and can't be used, but i just CAN'T get it off the car

Z95m6

Thats one thing that really surprises me about these cars is how quickly stuff gets seized on them. I usually mess with 60's cars so i thought finally having this car to tinker with would at least provide me with rust free bolts. No such luck.

rlax31

Well, i don't think there is anything else I can do to get it off. The only thing i can think of is to have it towed to a shop and have them work on it. I don't know if i've ever been so upset by something.

Z95m6

Have you tried a vice grip? also put a wrench on the metal end of the LT1 rubber line. Don't give up. I'm sure your 97 stuff couldn't of been in as bad of shape as my 95 with 140k on it. If nothing else i would go buy a tubing flaring kit and cut off that fitting and rebuild the end of it. It will end up being cheaper than the tow, you'll learn something, plus you'll get another tool out of the deal.

rlax31

I've treid everything I can think of, I just don't see it being able to come off. I can get a good firm grip on an otherwise stripped lower nut, And I can get a good firm grip on the end of the rubber line, but even with the longest/biggest wrench I have + a pipe on the end, it won't budge. I can't imagine it being this hard. It's a 97, wityh only 52k on it. Unless there is something i'm doing wrong, I just can see why this isn't coming loose.

Z95m6

are you going the right direction. Since the line turns up its easy to get confused on what direction to turn.

rlax31

am i correct in that looking from the top, the line permanent to the car should turn clockwise (b/c it's upside down), then you're supposed to hold the rubber hose steady with a back-up wrench?

Z95m6

yep, just wanted to make sure sometimes its easy to get confused when you have to turn the wrench the opposite way than you would think to loosen it. So are you getting it towed today? or are you going to go get a flareing kit and cut the end off of your old brake line and put a new fitting on?

97FormulaWS-6

With brakes, I ALWAYS hit them with some liquid wrench or prenetrating oil before hand, and SOAK it as best I can, then they normally come loose.

jeremyferguson

vise grips work good when a brake fitting is stripped. usually its a one-way trip though, I know I wouldn't try to reuse one after the 'ole vise grips. The metal is soft enough that the vise grip's teeth will dig in and get a good bite. Good luck....all I can say is been there, done that.