changing lines/flare nut wrench or vise grips?

HR radness

HR radness

His royal radness
I am going to be installing my SS lines next week and I am most likely going to have to buy a flare nut wrench (already have lots of PB blaster:)) but I wanted to know if anyone has installed SS lines and how did it go. I was reading several posts that just said to skip the flare nut wrench and go with vise grips.

I'm betting Nigel will chime in first

 
I am going to be installing my SS lines next week and I am most likely going to have to buy a flare nut wrench (already have lots of PB blaster:)) but I wanted to know if anyone has installed SS lines and how did it go. I was reading several posts that just said to skip the flare nut wrench and go with vise grips.
I'm betting Nigel will chime in first
Click to expand...
oh rad, you so knowledgeable!

try flare nuts first to break the old ones off, then probly vise grips

then flare nut wenches to install the new SS lines. beware after the install you may have to re-tighten em to avoid leaks. you may lose brakes learning this, don't axe how I know
default_smile.png


loose nuts = leakyleaky = no brAAKES!!!

 
I just did SS lines on the STI.... my neighbors learned new bad words... and I ended up having to use vise grips.

 
use the right tools first (the wrench) and then if all else fails, use the ''farmer method'' and just crank on some vice grips.

 
So I finished the install last weekend and I thought I would share some thoughts. Here's what I installed: Turn in Concepts master cylinder brace, goodrich SS lines, hawk pads up front and generic autozone pads in the back, new OEM right front rotor. Fresh generic fluid

First, night and day difference! They brakes are now better than the bigger stock brakes on the wife's leggy GT wagon. Gone is the mushy pedal. I followed the bed-in procedures for the hawk pads and I am still going easy on them, but wow what a difference

Second, had I known what a major PITA the MC brace install would be I would have probably skipped it. Just getting one bolt threaded took the better part of two nights (fight with bolt, take a break, repeat)

Changing the SS lines was a lot easier than I thought, there is an excellent video that gives a great step by step and i soaked the hell out of the nuts with PB before trying them. Only one nut started to strip but I used the vice grip method and that worked

Anybody that wants to upgrade the stock brakes on an 02 bugeye should consider any of these upgrades

Now, for more powah!!

 
When I did mine, I had a couple that I just put the heat too. I didn't care about the old lines melting or the fluid cause that was going to get changed anyway.

 
Yeah thanks guys. My brakes are starting to squak at me at every red light. My poor rotors. I figure I may as well add upgrades while I'm at it.

 
Small knipex alligator pliers before flare nut wrenches.....Flare nut wrenches can slip/expand and still round over the fitting. I do keep a set of flare nut wrenches, but they are usually only used in tight spots where there aren't other options. Everyone should own a set of the 3 common sized knipex alligators

http://www.google.com/products/catalog?q=knipex+pliers&um=1&ie=UTF-8&cid=9219802145339158506&ei=gi3zS7mULoP68AacpMW6Dw&sa=X&oi=product_catalog_result&ct=image&resnum=4&ved=0CEIQ8gIwAw#

 
how many miles were on your car before you flushed out sll the brake fluid??? did you know it was suppose to be changed like every 50k and it can lead to a softer pedal and increased braking distance?

 
Gee, I would never had thought of that, I usually wait at least 10K miles before changing my engine oil and recently switched to olive oil to make the car smell better. What do you think?

 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top