In Desperate Need of Some help ASAP brake related

[caister]

Well it was a nice day outside and my braided lines turned up so I thought I would get them on. Did the backs first which was easy peasy. Then moved onto the fronts. Tried the passenger side first and the union nut which goes from the metal brake line onto the rubber one was really stiff to get off and it turns out it had been cross threaded.

So now i'm in a spot of bother as the thread on the nut is totally fucked so I can't put the old or new lines on as when I tried to put the old one back the thread just collapsed. It looks to me like the whole metal line needs to be replaced now??

So I'm after some quick advice on what to do and what needs doing. If the whole metal line needs to be replaced is it a b**ch to do?

Hope someone can help.

Thanks

 

[Henry]

this is only a suggestion as i can't recall exactly how this is configured, but could you cut the flare off the end of the pipe, slide a new union over it and use a flaring tool to refinish the end of the pipe?

i've only ever done this with copper lines (are the original lines steel?)

 

[Riley!]

this is only a suggestion as i can't recall exactly how this is configured, but could you cut the flare off the end of the pipe, slide a new union over it and use a flaring tool to refinish the end of the pipe?

i've only ever done this with copper lines (are the original lines steel?)

+1

about your only hope without replacing pipe, are they steel though?

 

[caister]

I'm not sure if there steel or not can a reflaring tool not do steel then?

 

[caister]

anyone know what size the union is and what sort of tool I need to do this? How much of a b**ch is replacing the whole line then?

 

[Henry]

i wasn't sure but apparently you can flare steel lines DIY; there's a brief guide here: http://www.stu-offroad.com/suspension/flaretool/ft-1.htm

i'd take the old union with you (along with the hose) to a Motorfactor to be sure you get the right union

just need the right gear then (as article)

it may be easier (if not quicker) to buy another pipe from a scrap car though. have you traced it back to its next union? is it only a short one to the M/C?

 

[caister]

No I havn't traced it back as I just assumed it went straight to the master cylinder but i'll go have a quick look now before it gets dark. Not entirely sure where the nearst scrap place is to me as I moved a few months ago and havn't needed one!

 

[caister]

No I can't see where the next union is as its getting too dark. I could cry! Just need it sorted as quickly and cheaply as possible.

 

[Henry]

can sympathise - nause when stuff like this goes wrong

think those are your two options though - need to spend a little time checking it out before going for whichever

 

[caister]

Was such a simple job to start with as well. If the pipe does run straight to the M/C and I decide to replace the whole thing is that a big job?

 

[Henry]

if it runs to the m/c from the n/s, it'll actually be a fairly long pipe (was thinking of the o/s for some reason) and it might be awkward to get in there - depends what's in the way. they run behind the bulkhead sound-deadening, which'll have to come off for starters

i hesitate to say this as i might be confusing my cars, but i've a vague recollection of seeing some sort of pipe junction at the front of mine, so there may (or may not..) be a closer union - have to have a good look

 

[Henry]

also - i'm assuming yours is ABS; and i've no idea how the pipes are routed if they differ from the Cup

 

[caister]

Yeah ive got abs. I'll have a good look in the morning because as you said it would be a long piece of pip to run all that way without a join. If it does have a join all ive got to do then is find a good scrap place in berkshire!!!

Luckily I dont need the car till monday so fingers crossed I can get it sorted for then.

 

[Henry]

hope it's not off the road for too long

 

[caister]

Me too mate thanks for the advice

From memory does anybody know for sure if the N/S brake pipe is one long piece or if it has a joint somewhere. Just really want to know as its bugging me and it'll save me time looking for one tomorrow!

 

[caister]

Well luckily there is a join on the passenger side that I can use so I dont need to replace the whole lot.

However I have come to do the drivers side and some fucker has already had a go at that as well so the whole union nut is already rounded off.......... My partner has seen a grown man cry twice in two days now! Any suggestions to getting that off or is this starting to look like a gargage job?

 

[mark123]

Get some grips on it. But if it's that tight this one may be cross threaded as well.

 

[Henry]

i'd try grips as well but isn't there some sort of spring clip that surrounds the union and prevents you doing that?

can you remove the caliper, unscrew it from the hose and then unscrew the hose from the solid line union? (if that makes sense)

 

[Henry]

just had a quick look at mine out of interest - should be able to use grips, as mark123 (apols)

 

[caister]

Just going to the local tool shop to get some proper grips as the ones ive got arn't particually good. Thanks again guys.

 

[caister]

Well is came off and went back on again. Was a b*****d to get off as the end of the union nust had flared out larger than the hole on the rubber line....

Total nightmare. Just need to bleed them now so ive come in for some lunch!! Thanks again for the help guys.