348 - Replacing brake lines | FerrariChat
Buy

348 - Replacing brake lines

Discussion in '348/355' started by F512M, Jan 28, 2008.

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.

  1. F512M

    F512M Formula Junior

    Dec 9, 2003
    504
    Houston, TX
    Full Name:
    Jeremy Lawrence
    #1 F512M, Jan 28, 2008
    Anyone do this? I am installing new SS flex lines and am having one heck of a time getting the fittings loose where the flex line meets the hard line out by the calipers.... The other end (where the flex line meets the hard line on the chassis) was a breeze... Any advice??
     
  2. fatbillybob

    fatbillybob Two Time F1 World Champ
    Consultant Owner

    Aug 10, 2002
    29,222
    socal
    #2 fatbillybob, Jan 28, 2008
    heat!
     
  3. littleblackflash

    littleblackflash Karting

    Jan 29, 2005
    55
    #3 littleblackflash, Jan 29, 2008
    Heat is probably your answer. Mine were rusty both ends.

    Don't destroy the solid pipe on the hub, it about £170 over here!!
     
  4. G Rides

    G Rides Karting

    Nov 5, 2007
    83
    SLO, CA
    Full Name:
    Gary T King
    #4 G Rides, Jan 29, 2008
    Make sure you use line wrenches but yeah those can be stubborn. Liquid Wrench works good too and it's not flammable if you use heat.

    Gary
     
  5. F512M

    F512M Formula Junior

    Dec 9, 2003
    504
    Houston, TX
    Full Name:
    Jeremy Lawrence
    #5 F512M, Jan 29, 2008
    Thanks everyone. I do have the flare nut wrenches. There is no way a standard wrench is going to work.. I will apply a little heat and see what happens....
     
  6. Standig

    Standig Karting

    May 13, 2002
    152
    Spring Hill, Fl
    Full Name:
    Stan DiGuiseppi
    #6 Standig, Jan 30, 2008
    Heat can boil the brake fluid and cause the flex hose to burst / try liquid wrench and a brake line wrench....
     
  7. Mera

    Mera Formula Junior

    Aug 13, 2005
    768
    Milwaukee, WI
    Full Name:
    Rodney Dickman
    #7 Mera, Jan 30, 2008
    If there is room you can put a vice grips on the flair wrench. That may help keep it from opening up and rounding the fitting.

    Rodney
    1990 348 TS
     
  8. F512M

    F512M Formula Junior

    Dec 9, 2003
    504
    Houston, TX
    Full Name:
    Jeremy Lawrence
    #8 F512M, Jan 31, 2008
    I am replacing the flex hoses so I don't care about the fluid or the old lines.. But if I were not replacing them you are correct.


    Not enough room on the fronts. The rears...maybe.

    I have taken a few days off from the project but I will get back out there this weekend and finish up... While I have her on jack stands I am flushing the coolant, rebuilding the alternator, and putting in some new spark plugs..
     
  9. G Rides

    G Rides Karting

    Nov 5, 2007
    83
    SLO, CA
    Full Name:
    Gary T King
    #9 G Rides, Jan 31, 2008
    If you have a chance, spray that Liquid Wrench on there and let it soak.

    Gary
     
  10. 355

    355 F1 Rookie
    BANNED

    Jan 4, 2005
    3,643
    Toronto
    Full Name:
    Frank
    #10 355, Jan 31, 2008
    Whenever starting a project like that....Try and use liquid wrench a few times days before you start the job. The first time I ever used liquid wrench, the nut was so tight so I left it for a couple of days and I swear I could almost remove it with my fingers. Great stuff.
     
  11. tng2000

    tng2000 Rookie

    Jan 22, 2007
    29
    Markham, Ontario
    Full Name:
    Stan B.
    #11 tng2000, Jan 31, 2008
    If you don't care about the flex lines, then follow this method. I'm an ex-mechanic and this is the way I did ALL stubborn brake lines. Most of what I worked on was so corroded that the slightest force would twist the brake line itself and break it !.

    BE SURE TO WEAR SAFETY GLASSES !
    get a large plastic cup and a bucket of water ready.
    fill that cup up ! ( we aint drinkin that either !)

    I used an acetylene torch with a small tip so I could concentrate the heat on the nut in question, (NOT THE BRAKE LINE) this always makes the hose pop, if you are replacing it, just cut it off before you heat it up.
    - get the nut to just start glowing red and close the torch
    - splash cold water on the nut (this will shock it due to rapid contraction and break the rusts hold )
    - get your line wrench on right away and tighten FIRST - just a little to crack it loose
    - work it back and forth a little at a time, you will feel it loosen right up !

    This method worked EVERY time and believe me, the daily drivers I worked up here in Canada, the bolts and nuts get really rusted from the salt.

    Good Luck !.
     

Share This Page