[s-cars] Brake Question

[Paul Heneghan]

The problem you'll probably have will be in separating the brake line from
the hose.  The hose connector is keyed and can't rotate because of the
bracket/clip it passes through.  You've got to unscrew (normal thread) the
connector on the hard brake line, but if it hasn't been undone for 14 years,
then the line will have bonded to the connector.  This will make the line
turn and there is danger of it shearing.  You can't hold the brake line to
stop it turning because you will crush it.

Lots of penetrating fluid is a good start.  A blast with a propane torch may
be required - however, this will almost certainly melt the anti-corrosion
coating on the line (freeing the brake line from the connector in the
process), so you will have to apply some anti-seize to it (I used
coppaslip - no idea whether it will work or not).

Paul

p.s. I didn't chip in at the time of that flurry of brake hose failure
incidents a couple of months back, but I've also had a sudden rupture of a
flexible brake hose.  The pedal went to the floor, but I did get a bit of
braking action by pumping the brake pedal.  I always thought that the split
circuit would prevent this, but clearly it doesn't.  Ever since, I've been a
lot more careful about inspecting the condition of the rubber brake hoses.


> Hedz -
>
> I need to replace rear brake hoses on a 95.5 S6 Avant (aka The White
> Whale).  Needless to say, the current hoses are firmly seated to their
> companion solid lines and I don't want to round the nuts.  I have
> applied penetrating oil but want to ask the following question.
>
> Are these connections normally threaded - counter clockwise to loosen?
> Any BTDT or advice out there?