frozen brake lines

[Beefy85CJ7]

1053408

Anyone know how i can unfreeze the nut on the end of a rear brake line...the one going into the wheel cylinder...it's loose off the wheel cylinder...but it's caught on the brake line pretty tight...any ideas???...tried to use force but don't wanna twist/break the line...my last resort is buying new lines...but all this for one friggen nut...hope not...thanx...beefy :-( :-O :-? [addsig]

 

[MudderChuck]

1053416

Yes touchy situation. I´ve had some luck at spraying with a good rust loosening oil and trying to wiggle (the line) for awhile (don´t forget in and out) and a little left and right with the nut.
If you do get it apart, have a real close look (wire brush) and see how much of the metal is eaten away. May need a new brake line anyway.[addsig]

 

[dingus]

1053417

why are you taking it off?[addsig]

 

[MudderChuck]

1053434

You don´t have to take it off, but the nut, is supposed to spin freely on the brake line. So you can tighten the line without spring, stress or twist. A drop of oil on the back of the flare helps tightening without the brake line trying to twist with the nut.

But often when it leaks, a little brake fluid, the mixture of brake fluid, moisture and air attack the metal pretty aggressively and can eat through in a couple of years or less. Even if it eats through, just half of the metal, you got to think, there is a bit of pressure in there, and it can cause brake failure, usually when you need them the most, at really hard pedal (like panic stop). Best to take that thing off and have a real close look, like one inch from the old eyeball, with a strong light. Weak spots often show up as half millimeter pits. Cleaning with a brass brush, removes the loose stuff, and a good glob of grease slows down oxidation.

edited by: MudderChuck, Feb 03, 2003 - 06:29 AM[addsig]

 

[Beefy85CJ7]

1053492

ok...well i was taking them off cuz i was replacing the wheel cylinders...i ended up borrowing a friend's torch to lossen up corrosion and they came right off...new lines and everything too...[addsig]

 

[west747]

1053498

dont be intimated about making your brake lines from scratch....it is pretty easy...i did all three of mine in bout 3-4 hours....the hardest part i found was forming the shape of the line with a bender.......i wasnt pallaning on re-doing the brake lines ...but when i went to put on my sky jacker brake extension i twisted the old line right off1111lol i guess they were pretty rooton any way...oh yeah my total cost.....40.00 buck Canadian...which is dirt cheap in Amewrican dollars.....west747

edited by: west747, Feb 03, 2003 - 08:35 PM[addsig]

 

[CARDOC123]

1053697

My .02 worth. On all the above. I'm certified in brakes and thes are my thoughts. The brakes are one of the most important parts and most critical, ALWAYS replace when in doubt. NEVER rig anything on brakes. ALWAYS use the right fluid. When making your own brake lines be sure to use the right fittings as not all fittings are made equal. And remember.... IF YOU THINK THAT WHAT YOU'RE DOING IS CLOSE ENOUGH THEN I HOPE THAT WHEN OR IF YOU END UP ON THE OPERATING TABLE LET'S HOPE YOUR SURGEON DOES'NT THINK THAT WAY!!!! Sorry about ranting, but your brakes will mean the difference between stopping or going to the hospital either for you or your family. I know anybody can do it but not everybody does it right and I've seen the difference. That's why I'm a mechanic. Thanks for listening. And I hope you've solved your problem.[addsig]

 

[west747]

1053727

just to reassure you that my brake work accordingly and that i WILL NOT RUN INTO LOL on the road, i had them checked over by my girlfriend father who is a mechanic.....lol i am stupid but not stupid enough to cheap out on my brakes>..( which is why i bout the sky jacker extention EVEN tho they are not absoultly nessecary) there are ways of getting around the brake line leghths associated with lifted jeeps without buying extention....but i wont even recommend how to do this..... thanks for reading west747[addsig]

 

[CARDOC123]

1053867

I don't doubt your work. I just get wound up sometimes. Sometimes people will do amazing things to vehicles. You would have to see some of the things I see to believe it. I just rant sometimes in hope that somebody will pay attention. There are even mechanics out there that should'nt be and I've seen their work too. I think that as a rule most people do things the think are right and they mean well but like you said, brakes ain't something to be cheap on. And you are also right that there are ways around alot of things and they are right and safe. Didn't mean to imply anything any difference. Have fun!![addsig]

 

[MudderChuck]

1053926

Driving down a rural two lane highway,curves and hills, with the whole highschool softball team in the back of a VW bus, I crest a hill and come face to face with a Combine, I´m braking hard and the brake line ruptures (old single reservoir master cylinder). One of my first high speed cross country driving experiences.

I hear ya CARDOC loud and clear. ;-) [addsig]