Disgusted with myself as nearly all brake lines are stripped

They can get pretty tough to remove sometimes, you did the right thing getting a flare nut wrench, I stripped a couple before I learned that lesson lol. Maybe it was a poor quality one like said above, although I think mine is just some duralast from autozone. If I ever feel it start to strip I switch to vice grips if room allows and that usually works without too much damage if you get on it right. I may even just tighten it back up with a vice grip if I don't feel like replacing the whole line section. Penetrating fluid helpful as always and sometimes heat. If you ever know you're replacing the line just cut the line and hit it with an impact and a regular socket.

 

+1

 

cut, flare it and be done?

 

At this point I would personally just cut the line close to the rounded off fitting and use a rounded nut extractor like the one pictured. Just be sure to hammer it on before turning.

 

If using heat, apply it to the lower area the nut screws into. If applied mainly to nut, that's just expanding the nut, making it tighter.

This may have already been mentioned, but tweaking nut a bit tighter first might overcome the seized portion.

 

I have a tiny pipe wrench I would use for this. It’s actually comically tiny, maybe 5” overall.

Every once in a while I’ll come across a made in china hex head pipe plug that no tool fits good enough to loosen. That tiny pipe wrench gets it to loosen.

Picture added for size comparison.

 

Not necessary, the brake fluid system is open to atmosphere through the reservoir.

Brake fluid is designed to be pretty stable. If it was that prone to expansion when hot the reservoir would be bubbling over every time you drove to the grocery store

 

Vise grips. The flare nut is toast anyway.

 

side note, before you actually crack the line, )once you over come the stripped issue) get a stick/bar/ broom handle and wedge it between the seat and brake pedal, to depress the brake pedal a couple inches, this will stop the fluid from draining the brake reservoir, which will save you from massive head aches when it runs dry and you have to bleed the abs. doing this stops virtually all fluid from leaking with the line removed. note disconnect the battery if your going to take a while to do the repair as the brake lites will be on.

 

I work on dozens of brake lines a day from AMGs to grandma's 02 Camry. 10mm flare nut wrench on the brake line and on the opposing end you hold the other line with an open 17mm or whatever fits. Haven't stripped a brake line since 2006.

In your case a brand nice large jawed Irwin vice grip.

 

I am restoring a MGA and needed to remove the brass temperature sensor from the head. Flare wrenches weren't working and did not want to round the brass too much. Bought a wrench to sacrifice, cut out a section of the closed end and welded on two nuts (one of which I drilled out the threads). Nice firm grip and got the job done.

 

I work on rusty brake lines as well and rarely use flare wrenches anymore.

I heat up with a tiny butane torch, then vice grip it now. I have a fancy snap on flank drive that I use once its moving.

Rounding brake lines is part of life on rusty cars, all you can do is learn from it. I've done far worse lol.

 

Thats tweaker'ish right there.....
Couldn't use a 3/8" or 1/2" drive deep socket in the appropriate size?
or even a shallow...
Never seen a temp sensor that I needed to go to this extreme...

 

Car is a 1960 MGA. Temp sensor has a bulb that screws into the head and is filled with alcohol. Alcohol expands, moving temp gauge. Gauge in dash all the way to sensor in head is one part and can't be disconnect. I tried a 1/2" socket (modified with slot) and a hose clamp, but didn't do the job.

 

got it...

 

this thread will probably keep me away from brake lines until i absolutely have to

 

I’m diggin this. My tool box has lotsa stuff like that. Some ends up being a one time use, some are more useful.

I’m guessing the correct tool would be a sensor socket. I bought this set & rarely ever use them.

$49 GEARWRENCH 8 Piece Sensor and Sending Socket Set | 41720

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0012SCXHW

Since 5/8 didn’t quite fit, it might be 15mm.

https://shop.snapon.com/product/EMSM3815

https://www.jbtools.com/lisle-line-...ukxXFIQo-RvJEfCc0IPDZBuhynJn0TNBoCn60QAvD_BwE

 

I like making my own SSTs too.
SST - Special Service Tool.

 

Boy, that's the schnizzle, right there!
I like it!