Brake pipe removal tips needed

[KERRSURF]

I ordered an new LSV for rear axle, the bleed nipple on old one is free and the brakeline to axle is fine but the two lines going in won't budge.
Gave em loads of WD40 but no joy even 24 hours later.

Anyone got any tips on how to move these without destroying them?

I could cut through and make new lines up but it's a bigger job that way. It might be possible to cut them close and fit new ends in situ, so might try that tomorrow.

[GRASSMAN]

Hi mate,

I had this problem a while ago, the cross axel pipes
were steel and my flaring tool only split it when I
applied pressure, Replaced them with copper in the end.

Hope this helps.

Gman.

[KERRSURF]

It's the pipes running the length of truck to the LSV so really I was hoping to not have to replace them.

[Ambobeer]

Have you got one of those magic brake pipe spanners? Like a half way house between an open ender and a ring, six (well, more like five) sided thing. That ought to give you plenty of purchase without rounding the nut.

If the pipes are steel though, chances are once the nut begins to move it will twist the pipe too and leave it un-usable.

Why manufactures won't use copper is beyond me. Well; other than cost.

[GRASSMAN]

It's the pipes running the length of truck to the LSV so really I was hoping to not have to replace them.

Yeah, big bugga,

I can feel your pain now, been there.

Gman.

[Albannach]

Do you have brake pipe spanners? Plus-Gas is better than WD40 for releasing rusty parts and 24 hours isn't really that long to have them soaking..

[KERRSURF]

Yeh I have that type of spanner, I was worried that might happen to the pipes, had it happen on a car before, proper pain it is.

Might just have to re-do the pipes.

[KERRSURF]

Do you have brake pipe spanners? Plus-Gas is better than WD40 for releasing rusty parts and 24 hours isn't really that long to have them soaking..

I soaked them again tonight so I'll try it for a few days before getting the hacksaw out.

[wishbone]

Mine were pretty much the same when I did my load valve. The old nuts were so rusty that my brake spanner wouldn't grip so I ended up using mole grips. I was lucky and got away with it.

Soaked them in wd40 for 2 days before I tried.

[slobodan]

I like to soak my nuts in guacamole. then dress them in olive oil.

[Albannach]

It is usually possible to get them off without cutting them, but it can take a while!

[Karma Supra]

Not done it on a surf, but have on plenty of other elderly cars...

My usual trick involves a brusk off with a wire brush, payins special attentio to teh bottom of the thread.. then lots of WD-40, usually if it is planned I'll start off with a good dollop a few days in advance and keep going back to it (not much help for you now sorry)

Proper spanner is a must but you already have one... failing that a light tap to send some shock waves and some quality mole grips if it rounds...

While you are at it, if you haven't already, I'd give the bleed nipples the same treatment... It's not happened but I couldn't imagine many things more frustrating then finishing the job to shear off one of those!

[HONEST AL]

I like to soak my nuts in guacamole. then dress them in olive oil.

Whats guacamole ?

[Karma Supra]

Something that a burrito would be rubbish without!

I swear there was a sombrero smilie

[Diezel Weazel]

In my experience Alan, ya got the right spanner right enough n woth a try, I normally give the moles a miss (one slip n ya with stilsons anyway) n go for Jugular with Stillsons never fails n if the worst senario befalls ya, it's new pipe any ways ... "in for a Penny n all that"
Good Luck

Jess
nearly 10 years of Surfs
"Cos short cuts can cost more in the long run"