replacing brake lines.. GRRRR

[WandererS30]

well i am not sure what needs to happen here. but in order to take the old rubber brake lines off i need to unscrew some nuts correct? well the ones connecting to the rubber lines are rusted tight. tried using WD 40, i sprayed it on 4 times on each and am letting it sit overnight.. but if that doesnt let these things get lose, is there an alternative method? such as replacing the connecting section of brake pipe also? i rounded one nut already. so help out.

[TTDRIVER]

Use a vise grip if your going to replace it. That tool has opened up some craZy things for me.

[Victor Laury]

If you've rounded the gland nut on the hard line, it's best to replace the line. I use alot of cheap tools, but I bought the most expensive 10mm flare wrench! I often use a propane torch on the gland nuts if they give me any trouble on first attempt. Penetrant + heat + high quality flare wrench = less damaged brake lines

[BunkyScott]

Hi All,

I'm new to this board, but not new to z cars. I've had 3 different 280s and now have a '72 240.

Problem I have now is finding new flare nuts/fittings for the clutch master cylinder. Just as WandererS30 did, I rounded the nut when removing the hard line from the m/c. Where can I buy them? I'd probably buy a half dozen to keep them around.

Thanks for the help

[Bambikiller240]

I've never seen the flare nuts sold separately (at least not in the last 10 years). As Victor says, if you kill the nut, it's best to replace the line. The brake master cylinder lines are (were last time I checked) still available from Nissan and weren't too expensive.

Best way to remove them is with a small pair of Vice-Grips and lots of penetrant. NOT WD-40 ! ! Use something like PB Blaster, or my favorite, Kroil; and a lot of care. Apply some anti-seize to the threads (only) before reinstallation

[hls30.com]

Get the highest quality 10mm flare nut wrench you can find-this is not a job for something from Harbor Freight-or even Sears! Chase down the truck, and get a Snap-On or Matco.

Will

[ChrisA]

Metric brake line nuts are a pain in the arse to find in the US. Here's my source...http://fmsiinc.com/brake-line-tube-nuts.htm

Now I will tell you, these folks were very helpful BUT...I had to buy a bag of 100 nuts. Now some of you may think that's crazy (I am) but when you have 6 Datsun/Nissans its really not bad for me. If you call them, maybe they could find you a distributor that could sell you however many nuts you need.

I'm sure I dont have to tell anyone here that if you mess up a nut, you have to cut the steel tube, slide on the new nut, then double flare the tube. That can get nasty. As most of the posters here have said. Get a new tube/nut assembly from the local parts house, bend it accordingly and reinstall the whole thing.

I bought the nuts because I have bulk straight tubing and made my own new lines from scratch. I have a tubing bender, flare tools and flare nut wrenches and best of all lots of patience. :laugh:

Much luck,

Chris

[BunkyScott]

Thanks for the link Chris. what's the specific size for the flare nut I'd need

how detrimental would it be to not double flare the tube? I've got a flaring tool, but never tried a double flare.

[Victor Laury]

Good Call Will! Mine IS a Matco. Very Beefy!

[ChrisA]

Thanks for the link Chris. what's the specific size for the flare nut I'd need

how detrimental would it be to not double flare the tube? I've got a flaring tool, but never tried a double flare.

I bought the #3043 nuts. With regards to your flaring question: If you can flare the tube once with out it splitting then you'd be okay. The double flare is just more insurance against leaks.

Chris

PM'd you BunkyScott

[Ed]

Metric lines with the nuts are available at NAPA.

[Bambikiller240]

Metric lines with the nuts are available at NAPA.

The problem may be in finding a line w/ nuts short enough for this application. Of course, you can bend the tubing into a corkscrew to use up the "inches" that you don't need. I had to do that on a line to the RF brake caliper once.

If you are interested in having a Stainless Steel (or even a Mild steel) line made up (or ever need other lines made up, there are two places I've done business with that provide good service and quality workmanship:

Classic Tube

Inline Tube

You send them your damaged line, they return it and a new exact duplicate line.