Omega Owners Forum

Omega Help Area => Omega General Help => Topic started by: addy on 14 November 2019, 12:38:49

Title: what is the proper size spanner for brake line nuts
Post by: addy on 14 November 2019, 12:38:49
Could anyone tell me what the proper size is for the brake line nuts, on the pipe from caliper to flexi hose on rear. It is for a 1995 2ltr Omega Estate. A size 10 is just a little bit loose.

Thanks for any help.
Addy
Title: Re: what is the proper size spanner for brake line nuts
Post by: dave the builder on 14 November 2019, 12:54:20
on a car so old,the size a nut left the factory is not relevant
corrosion will make it slightly smaller
sometimes an imperial spanner will be a better fit
a good fit is very important because corrosion in the tread and head will make the nipple chew
on small fittings, a tight 6 sided spanner is your friend
sometimes ,brake pipes are best just removed and replaced with new, with new fittings
new fittings are very cheap, most independent motor factors have a good stock
Title: Re: what is the proper size spanner for brake line nuts
Post by: dave the builder on 14 November 2019, 13:07:38
nut / spanner size conversion charts here clicky (http://www.baconsdozen.co.uk/tools/conversion%20charts.htm) if you have some imperial spanners
you can buy brake pipe spanners or use good fitting (4 flats ) crows foot spanners too

3/8 is slightly smaller than 10mm
you can even grind a slot in an old ring spanner (to clear the brake line)  :y
Title: Re: what is the proper size spanner for brake line nuts
Post by: addy on 14 November 2019, 14:52:00
Thanks for the quick replies. I have new pipe from caliper to flexi pipe, for both rears.

Title: Re: what is the proper size spanner for brake line nuts
Post by: dave the builder on 14 November 2019, 14:57:13
Thanks for the quick replies. I have new pipe from caliper to flexi pipe, for both rears.
in that case ,mole grips should fit a treat if your spanners fail to grip   ;D :D
Title: Re: what is the proper size spanner for brake line nuts
Post by: Andy B on 14 November 2019, 15:35:04
...

3/8 is slightly smaller than 10mm ...

about 9.5mm  :)
Title: Re: what is the proper size spanner for brake line nuts
Post by: TheBoy on 14 November 2019, 18:40:09
It was 9mm when it left factory

Sometimes needs a bit of a scrub up to get a 9mm on it
Title: Re: what is the proper size spanner for brake line nuts
Post by: GastronomicKleptomaniac on 14 November 2019, 20:22:16
If its getting replaced, cut the pipe and put a proper six sided socket on.
Title: Re: what is the proper size spanner for brake line nuts
Post by: Diamond Black Geezer on 14 November 2019, 22:37:09
My proper flare spanner slipped and rounded my last union I tried to undo. That line got replaced the next day. So as above, sadly they may well be past it by now... but I'd still recommend getting a flare spanner 'in' as they are the right tool for the right job and all that.
Title: Re: what is the proper size spanner for brake line nuts
Post by: Andy B on 14 November 2019, 23:37:55
My proper flare spanner slipped and rounded my last union I tried to undo.  ....

I've used grips on a flare nut spanner before now to stop it from spreading when trying to undo a union
Title: Re: what is the proper size spanner for brake line nuts
Post by: Diamond Black Geezer on 15 November 2019, 08:52:33
Not a bag idea. I have to say mine is a halfords one and though I've never had issue with any of their tools (hex bit holder aside which doesn't have a magnet, thereby meaning you lose every hex bit you put in it, I digress!) I think the flare spanner is a little oversized. Seem to recall trying it on eg: a 9mm bolt, vs. a 9mm ring spanner i think theres a little more play, whcih really doesn't help on unions. Maybe one day I'll give it an 'adjustment' in a vice or with a hammer.
Title: Re: what is the proper size spanner for brake line nuts
Post by: Nick W on 15 November 2019, 11:09:22
If its getting replaced, cut the pipe and put a proper six sided socket on.


that. Try the proper size(which can vary), then stop faffing about - it's quicker to make a new pipe than try to rescue an old one which is probably rusted thin any way.


I have metric flare spanners, but find very little use for them.
Title: Re: what is the proper size spanner for brake line nuts
Post by: TheBoy on 15 November 2019, 11:22:29
My proper flare spanner slipped and rounded my last union I tried to undo.  ....

I've used grips on a flare nut spanner before now to stop it from spreading when trying to undo a union
Yup, exactly that.

Although, if you change the fluid like a good boy, they get adjusted every 2 years, and often a simple open ended spanner is good enough.
Title: Re: what is the proper size spanner for brake line nuts
Post by: addy on 15 November 2019, 11:32:21
Have got new pipe from caliper to flexi hose. Was just having problems, finding right size spanner and didn't want to round off the edges, of the brake nuts. My brake spanners are wrong size, so got new ones coming. The car was not looked after before the wife had it.

Thanks for all the advice, much appreciated

Addy
Title: Re: what is the proper size spanner for brake line nuts
Post by: addy on 20 November 2019, 21:47:16
Well got the flare nut spanners. But did as was suggested and just cut pipe, then used a socket on the pipe nuts. They came undone no problem.  The bleed nipple on one side is a 8mm spanner, the other side I had to use a impact chuck stud extractor tool. Put a nail inside the bleed nipple to give it a bit more strength, then carefully moved it back and forward, until it came undone.

Want to change the both bleed nipples. Does anyone know the correct size for them?

Thanks in advance for any help.
Addy
Title: Re: what is the proper size spanner for brake line nuts
Post by: Enceladus on 20 November 2019, 22:05:17
Part nr. GM 90297538. I'll see can I dig one out and and confirm, however I think they're the same as a Carlton or maybe a Senator, so should be M7 x 1.0 x 41mm. 9mm across the spanner flats.

That would be for solid disc caliper. Omega vented rears have a slightly larger piston, so I'm not sure if the bleed is exactly the same. I would imagine it is.

Title: Re: what is the proper size spanner for brake line nuts
Post by: Enceladus on 20 November 2019, 22:48:46
Update.
GM nr. 90297538 actually measures as M7 x 1.0 x 38.4mm. 9mm spanner flats.
Title: Re: what is the proper size spanner for brake line nuts
Post by: addy on 21 November 2019, 08:27:28
Thank you  Enceladus for the help. It is for a 1995 2ltr Omega, which has the solid discs. Can get some ordered.

Addy
Title: Re: what is the proper size spanner for brake line nuts
Post by: Nick W on 21 November 2019, 13:54:21
Update.
GM nr. 90297538 actually measures as M7 x 1.0 x 38.4mm. 9mm spanner flats.


standard part, doesn't have to be GM