customizing a brake hose wrench

[cell]

as part of doing my brake overhaul, I replaced my brake hoses.

however, it is rather difficult to get a wrench into position to tighten down the end of the brake hose, and you have to torque down on it pretty hard to get the copper crush washer to make a good seal.

so, the poor wrench positioning combined with the large amount of torque makes a great recipe for rounding off the "nut" ending on your brake hose. not good.

first off, what we need here is a "flarenut" wrench which distributes its load across more of the faces of the nut you are tightening, making it less likely that you will round it off. you can get a set of them which includes the size we need for about $8 at harbor freight.




second, we need to modify the wrench to allow us more clearance when we cram it in there next the coil spring and A-arms. using a torch, we spot-heat and bend it 90 degrees.




and now its a perfect fit:



full resolution pics:
http://cell.dreamhosters.com/photos/brake-hose-wrench/

[CG]

Another good thread and tip....You like to playing with fire don't you

[cell]

I must admit I have been looking for excuses to use that torch ever since I bought it...