Removing Brake Hoses

[Zilverado]

So I'm looking at replacing the rubber brake hoses on the front of the truck. Besides bathing everything in penetrant and using proper flare-nut wrenches, is there a trick to separating the rubber line from the rigid line where it goes through the frame rail? Do I need to use a wrench on the backside (inside) of the frame rail as well, or is this connection held in place by the frame somehow (welded, clipped, etc). I took a real quick look the other night, but couldn't really see back there too well.

[boxrodz]

Zil-
Check out this past discussion on brake hose replacement:
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=185583
...and remember
soak soak soak

Good luck.

[Bad Karma]

I just went through this last weekend... What I did was to remove the "horseshoe" clip on the outside of the framerail. When that is done, you can push the hose in a little, and it *should* be easier to spin the nut off the threaded part of the hose that is inside the framerail.

After I did that, I pulled the hose out a little, exposing the hardline fitting so I could disconnect it. I used 2 line wrenches to disconnect on the pass. side, but I needed a crow's foot flare wrench to do the driver side, because the steering box was in the way of swinging a normal flare wrench.

Be careful not to twist the hardline when loosening or tightening it. Also, the rubber brake hose only fits through the frame one way, so you have to make sure once you reinstall the hardline to the new hose, that it will still go through.

I don't have a way to snug down the nut on the inside of the framerail, mine are just finger-tight right now. I am actually looking into using a spring clip (like Toyota trucks use) to hold the brake hose tight to the frame, which would make it much easier to install.

I suggest gathering all the parts and tools first and just check it out to see what you are dealing with. One auto parts store sold me incorrect hoses that looked good at first glance, but didn't have the rounded-off portion on the hex that allows them to go through the frame hole...

Hope this helps, and good luck!

[Zilverado]

Great - thanks for the feedback guys. Sounds like I'm in for some fun when I finally get around to tackling this. Maybe I'll wait until my garage/shop is completed later this summer and I have a nicer place to work...

[Slonaker]

Good luck. As I said in the post linked above, this was probably the most frustrating thing I have done to my truck. I have disassembled and reassembled just about the entire thing in the 5 1/2 years I have had it, so that is saying something.

Slonaker

[SB406]

Has your truck ever been exposed to road salt? If so, it becomes a lot more of a PITA. The nut on the line may be rusted bad enough that the line will only twist. If this is the case, get ready to replace the hard line up to the next junction.
Tip: if the hard line is crappy, don't even bother with a line wrench. Cut it off & use a 6-point socket on the remaining nut.

By the way, heating up the nut is a bad idea. Tried this once ever so carefully. The hose ended up exploding and scared the hell outta me.

[Prerunner1982]

I tried this once... didnt go over so well. couldnt seperate the 2 lines for anything, ended up pulling complete metal line out at well and replacing while I was in there. Even with it all out I still couldnt seperate the 2 lines... Wifes truck needs it done too... hoping since its a bit newer it will be easier.... not holding my breath.

[Zilverado]

Originally Posted by SB406

...By the way, heating up the nut is a bad idea. Tried this once ever so carefully. The hose ended up exploding and scared the hell outta me.

I was kinda wondering about that myself...

Not so much road salt here, but certainly enough snow, ice and sand to get things pretty (or extremely) rusty. I think I'll take a closer look at it and plan on replacing the hard lines right from the start. By the sounds of it, it's a pretty good bet I'll be doing that anyway.

[mrein3]

Originally Posted by SB406

stuff deleted...
By the way, heating up the nut is a bad idea. Tried this once ever so carefully. The hose ended up exploding and scared the hell outta me.

Here is what we do up here in my part of the rust belt.

You need a propane torch, the correct line wrench and a clear, full-face shield.

Put on the shield. Use a pair of dikes to cut the brake hose off flush above where the rubber and the metal meet on the hose.

Now, you know how some turkeys come with the little red thing that pops out when it is done? Think of that for the next step. Heat the metal fitting where it hits the brake line. The rubber hose where you cut it will melt shut and finally will burst from the heat. Like the red thing on the turkey, when it pops, you're ready to try the brake line fitting.

I have done this a million times on every make and model of car and only once had the line twist on me after doing the above.

[Zilverado]

Very interesting. I'll have to keep that little trick in mind.

I just love hearing people's personal experiences. It makes all of us so much richer.