Calgary Jeep Association

Author Topic: Seized brake line fittings  (Read 1370 times)

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Offline Sean778

  • Budget Lift
  • Posts: 144
Seized brake line fittings
« on: June 27, 2014, 09:50:45 AM »
I am lazy,  :-[ and I don't want to have to cut and re-flare every brake line to install my new longer soft lines.  Has anyone had any luck with different penetrating oils to break loose the fittings?  So far the PB blaster and two kinds of  WD-40 are just helping my brake wrenches round out the fittings with less friction.  I'm shying away from fire-based heat due to the flammability factor here.   
Brass on brass probably means that I need a different chemical to break the bond, but I haven't studied chemistry with any success since high school.  I guess I could just get off the damn couch and cut and re-flare them, but these lines were already new a couple years ago, it seems a shame to butcher a perfectly well-sealing factory flare for my own.  Ideas?
Thanks,
Sean
'89 XJ

Offline Ostego

  • UberWheeler
  • Posts: 306
  • Full Size Jeep
Re: Seized brake line fittings
« Reply #1 on: June 27, 2014, 10:48:11 AM »
While your out there.. I have a door that need to be adjusted and re-hung... damn tree jumped outta' nowhere!  :o

Vice grips and penetrating oil, I had issues in the past with older vehicles (see signature for a couple) brake line fittings seizing.. either that or a little heat if your careful.
'95 ZJ: 3" Budget lift, quick-disconnects, 31x10.5 Savero MT's
'74 J20: 401, Holley Street Avenger 4 barrel, custom  camper.
'75 F100: 351M, 5" Super Lift.

Offline hps4evr

  • Administrator
  • Talks waaay too much!
  • Posts: 2959
Re: Seized brake line fittings
« Reply #2 on: June 27, 2014, 01:22:36 PM »
Some heat from a butane torch should crack it loose, it shouldn't explode, just blow the rubber hose off;) worse case...
YJ=Y’all Jealous

Offline Sean778

  • Budget Lift
  • Posts: 144
Re: Seized brake line fittings
« Reply #3 on: June 27, 2014, 02:25:29 PM »
Those arboreal bastards are agile!  Sorry about your door!  If I make it off the couch, it'll take some pressure off my wallet, which might let me go shell a few bucks for a new set of vise grips (I've abused mine for nearly 15 years and there isn't much spring left in them).  I'll try those and the torch, and I'll turn my head for safety.  ;)  Thanks fellas, and if worse comes to worst, I'll chop and re-flare them.
'89 XJ

Offline Greg-100

  • Baby Wheeler
  • Posts: 94
Re: Seized brake line fittings
« Reply #4 on: June 30, 2014, 10:41:33 AM »
 
Picked up a mini 3 sided vise grip (about 3 inches), worked for me.

Also use a small hammer to tap the end of the vise grip to act like an impact driver.

Greg


Offline dubbleJs

  • Talks waaay too much!
  • Posts: 1330
Re: Seized brake line fittings
« Reply #5 on: June 30, 2014, 12:03:11 PM »
Do you have brake line wrenches? They work much better than vice grips. I bought a set years back after having lots of problems with lines, haven't had a problem since.
'91 XJ - 3" procrap - cutout for 33" MT's  - More and more dents every run...Sold.
'98 XJ - Lifted, locked and lovin' it

Offline Sean778

  • Budget Lift
  • Posts: 144
Re: Seized brake line fittings
« Reply #6 on: June 30, 2014, 12:31:44 PM »
Yup, I have line wrenches, although I swear I can see the 3/8ths one bow out when I put too much torque on it.  I decided unemployment was a poor excuse for laziness, so I cut and re-flared the problem lines last night. 

It would be nice to find a better quality set of line wrenches.  Maybe I'll pick up a set of the three sided vice grips while I'm at it, since I can never have too many tools.
Thanks for the tips guys, I will keep them in mind for next time. :)
'89 XJ