I used a 10m flared brake line wrench that I purchased at my local auto parts store. I did need to use some heat on one of the lines. The rest came off with out a problem. Remember to flush and bleed the system after replacing the hoses and any lines.

Since I'm going to replace the hoses anyway, someone suggested cutting the hoses and then unscrewing from that side. That should reduce the chance of damaging the steel lines, right? Any thoughts?

Since I'm going to replace the hoses anyway, someone suggested cutting the hoses and then unscrewing from that side. That should reduce the chance of damaging the steel lines, right? Any thoughts?

You would still be unscrewing the same threads in the same fitting. All I can see it doing is (MAYBE) "slightly" minimizing the chance of rounding the flats on the flare nut. Instead, you'd twist the line into a pretzel. I don't see this being of much benefit.

Heat, Kroil (or PB Blaster), and a good flare-nut wrench (or small vice-grips used carefully) will be of most use to you.

You would still be unscrewing the same threads in the same fitting. All I can see it doing is (MAYBE) "slightly" minimizing the chance of rounding the flats on the flare nut. Instead, you'd twist the line into a pretzel. I don't see this being of much benefit.

Heat, Kroil (or PB Blaster), and a good flare-nut wrench (or small vice-grips used carefully) will be of most use to you.

I guess the thought was that I'd hold the flare nut steady while turning the rubber hose fitting.

If I do ruin the metal lines, what's a good source for replacements?

sahunt66, I noticed that you live in Rio Rancho, NM. Would you like to get together some time and talk Z's? I live around Alameda and I-25. Later...Red-Eye

I guess the thought was that I'd hold the flare nut steady while turning the rubber hose fitting.

If I do ruin the metal lines, what's a good source for replacements?

I was going by what happened to me at a Pick N Pull last month when I tried to do what you mentioned. You won't (I couldn't) be able to get the coupling out of the mounting ear which made working on it more difficult, and even before I twisted the line, I wished I had not tried this method. Your mileage may vary.

http://www.inlinetube.com/

http://www.classictube.com/

Either one of these places should be able to recreate a line using your old one as a pattern.

Also, if you have a tubing bender and can find a generic brake line of similar length, you could try to make one yourself.

sahunt66, I noticed that you live in Rio Rancho, NM. Would you like to get together some time and talk Z's? I live around Alameda and I-25. Later...Red-Eye

Red-Eye,

Sounds good. I sent you a PM.

I rather use the kroil , than PB Blaster because of the smell plus I think it works a little better. Using the vice grips on the nut wrench is a vary good Idea. Gary

Hey everyone, Thanks, your tips worked great on the back brakes. No kinked tubing.

I still need to do the fronts but the hoses I bought at AutoZone are too long so I need order some. Guess I should have ordered from a Z parts store.