Th700 cooler line nuts & tools

What tools & tricks have you used to reach the line ends at the transmission? Specially the lower line seems almost impossible, there is dipstick and governor housing on the way, no room to turn the 1/2 line wrench. I was thinking of cutting it in half to get more rotation? Other tricks?

what are you trying to do / why do you need to remove it?
We recently had to repair the trans cooler lines on an OBD K2500 4x4. Absolutely no way thse lines are coming off the trans without dropping it ( trans ) out of the truck. The line had to be repaired, as the PO had cut them at the rad, and plumbed an additional cooler.
After the cooler and aftermarket rubber hose went in the bin, we "repaired" the line with a barbed hose fitting connected to the hard line with a compression fitting. It is holding up well, and will serve until the engine / trans is pulled for a completed rebuild. At that time we'll replace all the lines.
You will need a Mastercool brand tube flaring tool ( available on evilbay ) to form the GM flare ends, if / when replacing the hard lines. Flare nuts are available too, if you measure the line size and do a search.
I can post a pic of the repair if you need also..
Hope this helps.

Logbed said:

What tools & tricks have you used to reach the line ends at the transmission? Specially the lower line seems almost impossible, there is dipstick and governor housing on the way, no room to turn the 1/2 line wrench. I was thinking of cutting it in half to get more rotation? Other tricks?

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Do not cut it if you cut it you'll have to come up with some rigged way to couple the line. I've pulled I can't remember how many 700r4s and turbo 350s,the lines were never a big enough deal to me that I can't even remember how I took them loose,I do know I've never had to cut them. If the dipstick tube is in your way,pull it, it's just 1 bolt.

Ricko1966 said:

Do not cut it if you cut it you'll have to come up with some rigged way to couple the line. I've pulled I can't remember how many 700r4s and turbo 350s,the lines were never a big enough deal to me that I can't even remember how I took them loose,I do know I've never had to cut them. If the dipstick tube is in your way,pull it, it's just 1 bolt.

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See above ...

I think he meant cutting the wrench in half.

Once the fitting has been broken free why not use an open end wrench as long as it's not fighting you for every turn?

I cut a 1/2" line wrench in half. It was still not handy but doable.

The “Crows Foot” socket comes in handy a lot of times…
Use Anti-Sieze on the threads when reassembling, don’t over tighten it and distort the flare.