How do you change brake lines? - Zilvia.net Forums | Nissan 240SX (Silvia) and Z (Fairlady) Car Forum

*DSC* · 10-18-2002, 11:41 PM

So, yeah...I want to put my new ones on but don't know how.  Help.

I've got it all covered except for disconnecting the rubber line from the hard line.  I just don't know how to get it off w/out breaking anything.  If you've done this, please help me.

Thanks a bunch!

mbmbmb23 · 10-19-2002, 02:31 AM

In my experience changing brake lines (86 accord one time), the hard line side will have a fitting that requires a wrench to un-tighten at the point where hardline meets rubber line.  Once loosened, the rubber line should drop straight down from the re-inforced junction they connect thru.

(hope that helps....probably not tho)

-m

some dude's brake swap page w/ a pic of what Im talking about

adey · 10-19-2002, 09:58 AM

They're a bitch to get off and put on, I'll tell you that much. <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt='

'> For the rears, where the rubber lines meet the hard lines, you need the special 10mm brake line bolt loosening wrench. This, while already very small, will be a tight fit in the even tighter spot somewhere in the labrynth of your rear subframe and suspension components. You break the bolt with this special 4-sided (?) brake-line-breaking wrench, then use a standard 10mm to get it off.

For fronts, it's a lot easier since everything is withing reasonable reach. You just jump in w/ the special 10mm wrench, and take the stuff off. I don't remember if the front bolts (hard to rubber line connection) were 10 or 12mm, but the special wrench you buy will likely have a 10mm side and a 12mm side.

For both front and rears, you will need a 12mm socket/wrench to loosen the banjo bolt where it connects to the caliper.

If I didn't describe it clearly enough, feel free to ask more specific questions. <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt='

'>

edit: don't forget a set of (ideally curved) pliers (I like to use a flat head screwdriver w/ hammer) to pry the retaining clips off the brackets, too. To put them back on is easier, since they won't be locked up in 10 years of dirt and grime.

*DSC* · 10-19-2002, 10:38 AM

What if the bolt is round? there a special tool for that? hehe, j/k, I stopped when I saw my wrench turning and not the nut <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wow.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':0'>
So where do I get this magical wrench that won't strip my nuts down to nothing? Just the local auto parts store?

Also, the rear's seemed easy enough to get to, just take the wheel off and it's sitting right there...I haven't looked at fronts yet thought so maybe they are ridiculously easy <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':laugh:'> yeah...right.

Another question, which direction do I turn? Do I want the nut to screw UP higher on the hard line, or down off the hardline? I noticed the hardline flexes a little when I was trying to do it earlier...I'm kinda worried I'll break it or something, is this a risk or am I just paranoid?

Thanks for the help!

*DSC* · 10-19-2002, 04:32 PM

Ok, got my tool, it's got 4 full sides plus about 1/4 of another 2 sides, so all 6 sides are touched...very good <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt='

'> No stripping this time.

The clip your talking about, is that the one shown in

this picture

but not this picture??

Right where the 2 lines meet?

PS: thanks to whoever took these pics, big big help!
and thanks for the help so far guys <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt='

'> I'm gona get these damnit!

camppain · 10-19-2002, 05:34 PM

its called a line wrench.

*DSC* · 10-19-2002, 06:21 PM

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (DSC @ Oct. 18 2002,7:32)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">...very good <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt='

'> No stripping this time.</td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>
OH BOY, I HAD TO FUCKING SAY SOMETHING.

I striped the hell out of it, it'd about as round as a 6 sided nut can get.  motherfucker!  What do I do now?

adey · 10-20-2002, 06:38 AM

Hahahahaha... how'd you manage to strip it? (I imagine by trying to turning it the wrong way) ... anyway.
If it's as bad as you say, you have pretty much no choice but to pull out the vise-grip. <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sly.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':sly:'> you'll have even more fun with that!  <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/devil.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':devil:'>  

And you break it counter clockwise looking DOWN at it (from the hardline towards the rubber line). I think it's attached somehow to the hardline, but It was back out of sight so I couldn't tell how.

BTW if you had no problem reaching the rears, they probably re-designed the placement of the hard/rubber lines from S13 to 14. The S13 joint is a pain in the ass to get to.

Oh and yes, it's that clip that I was talking about (in the two photos). I used angled pliers and a screwdriver and hammer to get that off.

10-18-2002, 11:41 PM	#1
DSC New Title Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: VA Posts: 3,454 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	So, yeah...I want to put my new ones on but don't know how.  Help. I've got it all covered except for disconnecting the rubber line from the hard line.  I just don't know how to get it off w/out breaking anything.  If you've done this, please help me. Thanks a bunch! __________________

10-19-2002, 02:31 AM	#2
mbmbmb23 Zilvia Contributor Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Charlotte, NC. Posts: 1,776 Trader Rating: (1) Rides Gallery: mbmbmb23 Feedback Score: 1 reviews	In my experience changing brake lines (86 accord one time), the hard line side will have a fitting that requires a wrench to un-tighten at the point where hardline meets rubber line.  Once loosened, the rubber line should drop straight down from the re-inforced junction they connect thru. (hope that helps....probably not tho) -m some dude's brake swap page w/ a pic of what Im talking about __________________ 400x200

10-19-2002, 09:58 AM	#3
adey Post Whore! Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Hong Kong Posts: 3,072 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	They're a bitch to get off and put on, I'll tell you that much. <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=''> For the rears, where the rubber lines meet the hard lines, you need the special 10mm brake line bolt loosening wrench. This, while already very small, will be a tight fit in the even tighter spot somewhere in the labrynth of your rear subframe and suspension components. You break the bolt with this special 4-sided (?) brake-line-breaking wrench, then use a standard 10mm to get it off. For fronts, it's a lot easier since everything is withing reasonable reach. You just jump in w/ the special 10mm wrench, and take the stuff off. I don't remember if the front bolts (hard to rubber line connection) were 10 or 12mm, but the special wrench you buy will likely have a 10mm side and a 12mm side. For both front and rears, you will need a 12mm socket/wrench to loosen the banjo bolt where it connects to the caliper. If I didn't describe it clearly enough, feel free to ask more specific questions. <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=''> edit: don't forget a set of (ideally curved) pliers (I like to use a flat head screwdriver w/ hammer) to pry the retaining clips off the brackets, too. To put them back on is easier, since they won't be locked up in 10 years of dirt and grime. __________________ Instagram: @SX180HKG

10-19-2002, 10:38 AM	#4
DSC New Title Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: VA Posts: 3,454 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	What if the bolt is round? there a special tool for that? hehe, j/k, I stopped when I saw my wrench turning and not the nut <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wow.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':0'> So where do I get this magical wrench that won't strip my nuts down to nothing? Just the local auto parts store? Also, the rear's seemed easy enough to get to, just take the wheel off and it's sitting right there...I haven't looked at fronts yet thought so maybe they are ridiculously easy <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':laugh:'> yeah...right. Another question, which direction do I turn? Do I want the nut to screw UP higher on the hard line, or down off the hardline? I noticed the hardline flexes a little when I was trying to do it earlier...I'm kinda worried I'll break it or something, is this a risk or am I just paranoid? Thanks for the help! __________________

10-19-2002, 04:32 PM	#5
DSC New Title Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: VA Posts: 3,454 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Ok, got my tool, it's got 4 full sides plus about 1/4 of another 2 sides, so all 6 sides are touched...very good <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=''> No stripping this time. The clip your talking about, is that the one shown in this picture but not this picture?? Right where the 2 lines meet? PS: thanks to whoever took these pics, big big help! and thanks for the help so far guys <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=''> I'm gona get these damnit! __________________

10-19-2002, 05:34 PM	#6
camppain Will never get banned... Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: San Diego CA Age: 45 Posts: 1,510 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	its called a line wrench. __________________ -=-99 Sentra SE 5 speed-=- -=-95 240 SE 5 speed-=-

10-19-2002, 06:21 PM	#7
DSC New Title Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: VA Posts: 3,454 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (DSC @ Oct. 18 2002,7:32)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">...very good <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=''> No stripping this time.</td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'> OH BOY, I HAD TO FUCKING SAY SOMETHING. I striped the hell out of it, it'd about as round as a 6 sided nut can get.  motherfucker!  What do I do now? __________________

10-20-2002, 06:38 AM	#8
adey Post Whore! Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Hong Kong Posts: 3,072 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Hahahahaha... how'd you manage to strip it? (I imagine by trying to turning it the wrong way) ... anyway. If it's as bad as you say, you have pretty much no choice but to pull out the vise-grip. <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sly.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':sly:'> you'll have even more fun with that!  <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/devil.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':devil:'>   And you break it counter clockwise looking DOWN at it (from the hardline towards the rubber line). I think it's attached somehow to the hardline, but It was back out of sight so I couldn't tell how. BTW if you had no problem reaching the rears, they probably re-designed the placement of the hard/rubber lines from S13 to 14. The S13 joint is a pain in the ass to get to. Oh and yes, it's that clip that I was talking about (in the two photos). I used angled pliers and a screwdriver and hammer to get that off. __________________ Instagram: @SX180HKG