Any tips on removing old brake hoses?

Well, I wound up using the heretofore unmentioned option - pay someone to do it.

Had a similar issue with the rear brake hose ( 4 x 4 truck ).

I had borrowed some Snap On crows feet flare wrenches, too - no dice.

I did not think I had farked it up that bad, but that mechanic was PISSED at me for a while!



Look,dude- I backed off before I thought it was fubar.

You got a lift - I don't.

You got the knowledge that if you fick up the metal line, you can buy another and charge me.

For me, it was in the driveway- no bueno if it can't move.

And, on a lift, you can probably get on it with a mini propane torch.

I am on my back on the driveway with no torch and thinking man, that's close to the gas tank.

Yeah, no , time to pay.

Flare fittings and I have a long history of not getting along, though.

Phuckers.

Had to use a pair of vice grips to get mine off. Couldn’t get the wrench in that tiny space enough to get any leverage to break it.

curse said:

I just did mine today. I removed the horseshoe clip on the rubber end of the line where it goes through the frame. Then I was able to push the brake line in towards the engine bay, this gave me better access to where the metal line goes into rubber line. I used a 16mm and vice grips to get them apart (too much rust and the wrench wanted to round out the end of the line). It was a bitch.
I sprayed penetrating fluid on it throughout the week and it didn't help much.

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This was great Advice! Thanks Curse! I was getting so frustrated with this process. I thought about busting the brake line off and drilling it out. I was almost at the point where I was going to have the truck towed somewhere and pay someone to do it. But I'm trying to do everything on the restore myself (it doesn't really need body work....not doing that). These are the steps you should follow.... Once I figured the passenger side out (I spent 5 hours over two afternoons!).....the other side took me less than 30 minutes.

Removal:
Disconnect the brake line from the Caliper (unscrew the banjo bolt the fluid goes through).
Disconnect the hose from the upper control arm (this can be a pain because the bolt inside may want to turn with the nut on the outside so you may have to get a wrench on it.
Get the clip off the hose where it sits against the outer frame rail.
You can then push the hose through the hole in the frame rail.
You can bend the brake line a little if you have to (be careful)... towards the engine side of the frame. This will give you enough room to get wrenches on it. I ended up having to use two vice grips....one for the line and one for the hose.
After I disconnected the hose from the hard line....I put the new hose on.
Install:
I took vice grips and gently (and minimally) spread the clip apart and took it off the new hose. Then I put it through the frame (same position as when I disconnected them). You can put the clip back on after. Just slide it on and clamp it together. DON'T forget to put the little thin nut (15/16ths I think) on to brake line before you connect them back up....so when you connect the hard line and the flex line you can slide it over and screw it back on to the end of the flex line fitting to hold it against the inside of the frame rail. Then connect up the flex line to the upper control arm (slide the bolt/screw from this inside out and then put the nut on. Then just reconnect your banjo bolt (don't forget the washers on each side) to your caliper and you're good to go.

mrburitto said:

Im replacing the front brake hoses on my 79 C30 right now and cannot get the hard line disconnected from the hose. Honestly, I dont see how you are supposed to do it, there is no room in the frame there to do much of anything with the other two hard lines running through the same place lol. Im tempted to pull the fuel pump off just so i can fit my hand in there a little better but I would rather not. Just wondering which tools you guys use and if you had any tricks to make it easier. Ive been soaking it with penetrant but doesnt seem to be helping. Thanks!

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I just got my K25 but haven't put a wrench to it yet. If your replacing the flex lines cut them and then at least you don't have to deal with them being in the way or twisting.

My '77 right front line twisted off.I got a short piece of line,bent and double flared it.Tight area and a pain to do,only way to put real factory bends in, is to have the engine removed.