Volvo 850. Replacing Rear Brake Calipers and Brake Lines

TRIDENT · Post by **TRIDENT** » 14 Jun 2010, 07:00

Both rear cupro/nickel brake line nuts to calipers were seized. Tried heat/WD40/ and all manner of wrenches. No joy! So
I cut both brake lines about 6 inches away from calipers and then replaced discs, parking brake pads and springs, calipers and disc pads/shims and locking pins. Can I(a) replace just the 2 short sections of removed brake line with new pipe and suitable connectors?( I have purchased a pipe flaring tool). Or, (b) do I have to replace the whole section - LHS up to 3 way connector / RHS up to rubber flexi pipe? Please can anyone tell me exactly what size/type of brake pipe nuts I need to achieve both method (a) and method (b)? Greatly appreciate your help. [ /b]

Post by **JimBee** » 14 Jun 2010, 09:14

If you're near a CarQuest store, check with them as to what options you have. The store near me in Minneapolis, has a good selection of brake lines and fittings and knowledgeable clerks.

BTW: Are you using the right size brake line wrench? I haven't done the rears on my 850 yet, but the front lines' connectors actually use an SAE size, I think it was 3/8". The CarQuest clerk alerted me to that. It didn't sound right, but he said for some reason the fitting nuts on those lines are not metric. He was right. I bought the wrench and the job was easy (after spraying the fittings with J&B solvent from CarQuest and letting them set for awhile).
Hope this helps.
JB

TRIDENT · Post by **TRIDENT** » 14 Jun 2010, 09:41

Many thanks JimBee for the lightning fast response. Unfortunately, I live in the U.K, and my local motor factors store were not at all knowledgeable. So, it's back to the drawing board and kind folks like you.

Post by **cn90** » 14 Jun 2010, 10:14

Post a few pics of your current problem area so we can help!

Post by **ojdorson** » 12 Apr 2011, 08:51

I just did brakes last night. The line wrench you want is 7/16" - just on the other end of the same 3/8" wrench.

mmd94 · Post by **mmd94** » 12 Mar 2013, 15:59

We are working on my son's '94 850 and have run into an interesting issue. The front brake hoses need changed and when I went to put a wrench to the lines, I found 3/8" too small, but a 7/16" way too big. 10mm is too small but 11mm is again way too big and would certainly round off the nut. The fittings are clean, so there is no erosion of size that I can see from rust. I've got 35 years experience working on cars and quite an extensive tool set for a home hobby mechanic and I don't have a wrench to fit these fittings. Has anyone else run across this?

Thanks!

JD & MMD

Post by **ojdorson** » 12 Mar 2013, 16:08

On one side, I had to resort to a pair of locking vice grips. I don't remember why, but I did.

Post by **cn90** » 12 Mar 2013, 16:26

mmd94 wrote:We are working on my son's '94 850 and have run into an interesting issue. The front brake hoses need changed and when I went to put a wrench to the lines, I found 3/8" too small, but a 7/16" way too big. 10mm is too small but 11mm is again way too big and would certainly round off the nut. The fittings are clean, so there is no erosion of size that I can see from rust. I've got 35 years experience working on cars and quite an extensive tool set for a home hobby mechanic and I don't have a wrench to fit these fittings. Has anyone else run across this?...

mmd94,

I wrote a detailed DIY below....

DIY: 1998 V70 Brake Hydraulic Overhaul (Hoses, Seals, Parking)

bugleg · Post by **bugleg** » 12 Mar 2013, 16:32

I won't even think about working on brake lines without one of these about:
https://www.amazon.com/Vise-Grip-Locking ... B00004SBBD

I use it to clamp the brake wrench together, and when something is really stuck, use it to ever so slightly deform the nut so I can work it loose. Amazing.

Post by **cn90** » 12 Mar 2013, 16:35

1+ to that vise-grip tool. I mentioned that in the link I posted above.

Another vital tool is a propane torch!