Hi folks. I recently tackled what I thought would be a simple job, refurbish the brake master cylinder, but I soon discovered that I couldn't undo the two brake pipes. Bought a special spanner made for the job, still no movement. Plan 'B' was to remove the pipes at the bronze/brass block mounted on the bulkhead. I managed to loosen them a bit but after about half a turn they just locked up again. I had to cut the pipes to remove the master cylinder which has now been refurbished and would like to get the remaining pipes out of the distribution block. A friend has suggested cutting the pipes just above the the nut which would allow a socket and some brute force to be used, I'm worried that might destroy the threads in the block and then I would be in real trouble.

 

Any suggestions welcome. I'm sure that I'm not the first person to have this problem. :-\

Have you stripped the heads yet?

 

Have you sprayed it with nut buster and let it soak?

 

Special spanner? you mean the wrncehs that look almost closed called brake line or hydraulic line wrenches?

Hi nipper. No I haven't stripped the threads yet and yes the spanner is a brake line spanner as you describe. I'm not sure if we have Nut Buster out here in Australia but I'll ask around. There is probably something similar available.

Thanks

why not use vice grips to get the old brake nuts to go loose and get some new brake pipes made up. Its pretty cheap. Thats what I did on my 1400.

Hi kiwi subbie. I assume from what you say that the threads in the brass distribution block survived ok. I have loosened the nuts but they lock up again after about half a turn and I have used a fair bit of force. I was worried that if I forced them out that the internal threads in the brass block might be damaged and then the block would be stuffed. Then I would have big problems, worst case scenario being find another block in good condition or have one made and replace one or all of the pipes to the wheels depending on whether I can remove them intact from the old block. I had to cut them out of the master cylinder.

Hi nipper. No I haven't stripped the threads yet and yes the spanner is a brake line spanner as you describe. I'm not sure if we have Nut Buster out here in Australia but I'll ask around. There is probably something similar available.

Thanks

 

 

Sometimes Brute force is called for as these pipes can be a real pain in the arse no matter how good you are.

 

Remeber the basics of mechanics...

 

Vice Grips

Torch (heat source)

Big Hammer

Duct tape

 

 

The first two should be able to help you take things apart.

Hi nipper, you were right. Got the vice grips involved and eventually managed the task. The funny thing is that I originally thought removing the master cylinder was going to be a quick and easy job.