brake problem.....

[bigman78]

Can anyone give me any suggestions on how to get this fitting off. When I put my new swampers on I didnt notice that my left front brake line was rubbing. Anyways I need to get this end off so i can take it to napa and get the correct part. Unless someone has a brake line theyre willing to sell. I have tried to use a socket, air ratchet, vice grips, probably used half a bottle of liquid wrench too.

[FORDification]

If I'm seeing things correctly, that appears to be the right/front frame bracket, correct? And you're wanting to remove the bracket bolt so that you can slide the retaining clip off?

Why don't you just rotate the clip around to that it comes off from the side?

Or do you mean you can't get the steel brake line disconnected from the rubber line? You say you've tried ViceGrips on that? Man, if those won't work, I think I'd just cut it off and replace the steel line too. By now the line nut is probably all boogered up anyway, right?

[bigman78]

It is the front left bracket actually. what I need to come off is the last of the rubber line so the bracket should stay there. Right? I have taken the bracket bolt out, the bolt you see is loose. I have tried to disconnect the steel line at the distributor (not sure what its called, theres like 3 steel lines there) but its stripped now. Anyways i need that fitting so that napa can get me the right one. I hate to buy a new one when im getting a lift soon though....

[FORDification]

When you get a lift, you're going to be getting longer flexible lines, but the hard steel lines remain the same, right?. However, since you say the tube nuts are already boogered up, you just need to replace them both....on each end of that hard line.

At the frame bracket in the picture, the end of the flexible line has flat spots that mesh with the bracket (to prevent it from spinning) and held into place with the clip. Then the hard line is screwed into it. To do what you need done, you don't need to remove the bracket or bolt...you simply need to unscrew the nut on the hard line. Are you saying you've tried removing that tube nut and it won't come out? I've never had one so tight that a pair of ViceGrips couldn't remove it.

However, since you also say the tube nut at the other end of that hard line (where it goes into the brake distribution block) is also boogered up, you might as well just replace the whole line and get new fittings on each end. Therefore, I wouldn't even bother fighting with the connection at the flexible line...I'd just cut the hard line at each end and remove it, and the flexible line will come with it. Of course, you're still left with the tube nut at the other end, where it goes into the distribution block. That WILL have to be unscrewed...and if it's rounded off, all you can do is clamp down tighter with a large pair of ViceGrips and spin it out.

The brake line is 3/16" line, very easy to shape....and you don't need a tubing bender, it won't kink unless you try doing some really sharp 90-degree bends. I'm sure your NAPA has in-stock some pre-flared brake lines, with the correct tubing nuts, so all you have to do is bend it into shape and attach it. It should run you less than $8-$10 to replace that line....I plumbed my entire truck with all new hard lines, and all the parts came to less than $25 IIRC.

...and of course bleed the brakes.

[bigman78]

Ok, thanks Keith ill be trying to figure it out tommorow.

[bigman78]

Ok, I got it off. Just took the hard line out.

Thanks for the help.

[FORDification]

Any decent parts store has those flexible lines....and they aren't too expensive.

[bigman78]

But im going to go ahead and have stainless ones made since its getting a lift soon.