Rusted brake line and propane torch?

[BUGSEY]

I'm looking for the best way to free the rusted brake line nut at the junction under drivers seat then again at the flex hose at rear differential? I plan to run the new line on top of the frame and attach with nylon strapping. Would channel locks or vise grips be more gentle on that junction part? Working outdoors would applying a bit of heat with a propane or micro torch be safe? Any real danger re the gas tank? Looking forward to any help, thanks.

 

[Grenvilleter]

Those junctions are available almost any auto parts store. Your lines look not too bad in the photo. At the rear however it is hard to see and looks to be leaking.

Now... I'm not going to recommend this to any one else but what I did in a similar situation was I cut back the rusted section of brake line and then put a coupling like in the pic shown.

It takes a double flaring tool to install a new fitting on your old line then replace the piece of rigid line that you cut out with a new piece.


Brake lines are easy enough to do if you have the double flaring tool but if not, you could be opening up a big can you don't want to get in to.

 

[BUGSEY]

Thanks for your reply! Good point, if that's simply a pass-thru I could use a single line junction. That rear sure is leaking & not much room to do a coupling. I bought a double in-line flaring tool & lines. I want to keep that junction due to trying to unscrew the opposite nut on the junction could twist the opposite line.

 

[Scruffy]

I put Goodridge Stainless braided on mine last year and was able to get all lines off by using a Wire brush to get all rust off from joint spray down with PB blaster let soak for 10 minutes then I clamped a small pair of vise grips on the nut ( mine were so bad there wasn't any hex left to put a wrench)and using a micro torch I heated up for awhile and tried to turn after the joint was good and hot. some of them took several attempts but eventually came loose.

 

[BUGSEY]

I'm worried about using a torch near the gas tank (outdoors), should I be? ...and would a micro-torch be either safer or better than a regular one?
http://tinyurl.com/ojfjl73

 

[Scruffy]

I would use the micro torch, they have a more controlled flame, I wouldn't be worried about the gas tank unless you have a leak. Be patient and let the PB blaster and the heat do there job. Try this method: Clamp a small pair of vise grips on the nut, apply Heat , spray with PB, Let soak for a few minutes then attempt to loosen, repeat as many times as necessary. This has worked for me may times. Good luck.

 

[19963.4lsr5]

I've had to put heat to brake fittings. Make it hot. Not cherry red.

Save the cherry red for the brake bleeders.

 

[Grenvilleter]

I've had to put heat to brake fittings. Make it hot. Not cherry red.

Save the cherry red for the brake bleeders.

Agreed !
Also have a big soaking wet rag to cool off the wheel cylinder between heatings or as soon as the bleeder breaks free.

 

[Chandlerdoom]

Junction will be fine but as soon as you turn that nut the line is going to break. I just finished replacing some brake lines because of that. I used vice grips to free mine, but you could always just break the line and just use a socket