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[addy]

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

[dave the builder]

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

[dave the builder]

nut / spanner size conversion charts here clicky 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) 

[addy]

Thanks for the quick replies. I have new pipe from caliper to flexi pipe, for both rears.

[dave the builder]

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   

[Andy B]

...

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

about 9.5mm 

[TheBoy]

It was 9mm when it left factory

Sometimes needs a bit of a scrub up to get a 9mm on it

[GastronomicKleptomaniac]

If its getting replaced, cut the pipe and put a proper six sided socket on.

[Diamond Black Geezer]

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.

[Andy B]

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

[Diamond Black Geezer]

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.

[Nick W]

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.

[TheBoy]

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.

[addy]

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

[addy]

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