My Nuts Are Too Tight...

[Bidz]

I'm trying to replace my wheel cylinders on my front brakes.

I'm struggling to remove the hose [which doesn't need replacing, was done before last MOT] from the chassis to the wheel, at the cylinder side. It just will not budge, and I'm slowly starting to make it round.

Is there a fool-proof way to loosen these stuck nuts? I've tried a liberal amount of WD40 and a few gentle taps with a hammer...

[mike.perry]

Are you using the correct size spanners? Using whitworth spanners on unf nuts etc will round the corners off. If you have naffed up the nuts on the flexible hose then you may as well hacksaw it off and remove the bits with a pair of mole grips

[Bidz]

Yes, fairly sure.

I mean, the spanner fits flushly - it just doesn't turn anywhere.

I've not quite 'naffed' it up yet...

[bmcecosse]

If it was fitted before last MOT - then it shouldn't be 'corroded' in place..... Definitely turning it right way? If no joy then cut the hose and use a ring key. Sometimes better to just cut your losses rather than waste hours......for the sake of a few pounds...On an old hose I would just do that anyway - to have new hoses with the new (hopefully not 'pattern') cylinders.

[JulianW]

I have used this trick to free up several seized fittings, not just on cars..

heat up the joint with a blow torch, but taking care not to damage rubber seals etc. Then spray the inner fitting with freezer spray, which can be bought from electrical suppliers such as RS and Farnell. You can make a sleeve out of card to stop the spray evaporating and being wasted, like a jacket. I think plumbers use the same to make an ice plug in pipes.

The inner fitting cools to -40 deg C and contracts, before the cooling effect reaches the outer fitting. This "cracks" the joint and a sharp tap with a hammer frees it.

[Bidz]

If it was fitted before last MOT - then it shouldn't be 'corroded' in place..... Definitely turning it right way? If no joy then cut the hose and use a ring key. Sometimes better to just cut your losses rather than waste hours......for the sake of a few pounds...On an old hose I would just do that anyway - to have new hoses with the new (hopefully not 'pattern') cylinders.

Can these be bought commercially or are the MM specific? I'd quite like to use the car this weekend see... I have the other bits to fit!!

[bmcecosse]

You can't put heat - or extreme cold - anywhere near the brake flexi! Just cut it and fit new......

[Bidz]

But, can I buy them at motor factors or only from the usual suppliers?

[kennatt]

If you want them in a hurry,would think that you would need to use the traders,don't think many motor factor would carry them in stock(They don't carry very much these days) Mind depends how n ear you are to a trader,motor factors can suppy next day,probably quicker than mail order from a trader.

[katy]

Why not just unscrew the cylinder from the other end of the hose. It has to come apart anyways to replace the cylinder.

[bmcecosse]

I read it that it was stuck AT the cylinder........

[Bidz]

I read it that it was stuck AT the cylinder........

Yep.

[katy]

My bad, I musta misread it.