Essential tools for DIY Volvo care.

Post by **pfmet** » 01 Mar 2025, 19:26

Jonesg, ….I need to know, where does one buy a quality flare wrench set for $13? I just spent $23 for a 13mm SK flare wrench to do front brakes on my truck. My old Craftsmen showed signs of spreading and rounding a nut on the Volvo a couple years ago. Spend some real money on your flare wrenches. When it comes to flare/line wrenches I buy them individually as I need them and spend some real money on a better than decent one. SK’s have proven good.

Post by **jonesg** » 01 Mar 2025, 23:17

pfmet wrote: 01 Mar 2025, 19:26 Jonesg, ….I need to know, where does one buy a quality flare wrench set for $13? I just spent $23 for a 13mm SK flare wrench to do front brakes on my truck. My old Craftsmen showed signs of spreading and rounding a nut on the Volvo a couple years ago. Spend some real money on your flare wrenches. When it comes to flare/line wrenches I buy them individually as I need them and spend some real money on a better than decent one. SK’s have proven good.

$12.

https://www.amazon.com/SATA-Full-Polish ... t_ba_s_1_t

Post by **vtl** » 02 Mar 2025, 07:12

pfmet wrote: 01 Mar 2025, 19:26 Jonesg, ….I need to know, where does one buy a quality flare wrench set for $13? I just spent $23 for a 13mm SK flare wrench to do front brakes on my truck. My old Craftsmen showed signs of spreading and rounding a nut on the Volvo a couple years ago. Spend some real money on your flare wrenches. When it comes to flare/line wrenches I buy them individually as I need them and spend some real money on a better than decent one. SK’s have proven good.

MAPP torch the bleeder screws and replace them. I replace them every time I bleed the brakes.

Post by **abscate** » 02 Mar 2025, 11:24

Tekton has a nice line of tools that are Snap-on quality without the Strap-on price.
Replacing bleeders on the 2-3 year brake fluid interval will keep them from snapping off and save you Eons of time.

Post by **BlackBart** » 02 Mar 2025, 12:53

Can you push out all the old brake fluid by flushing it through? There’s no low point where you can just drain it, and you’ve got ABS piping.

Post by **pfmet** » 02 Mar 2025, 19:19

SATA and Tekton aren’t included here but it’s a good overview of the landscape of tool quality. From what I’ve read (Garage Journal and Reddit tool forums I don’t think I’d use SATA’s on my brake lines.

Post by **abscate** » 03 Mar 2025, 00:36

TlDW

Snap on , SK , Matco seem to top out the quality list

Post by **pfmet** » 03 Mar 2025, 06:24

Transverse Interdural Width..? Not strictly an an anatomical term?? Why not.

Post by **abscate** » 04 Mar 2025, 03:33

pfmet wrote: 03 Mar 2025, 06:24 Transverse Interdural Width..? Not strictly an an anatomical term?? Why not.

Too long didn’t watch

I did watch it , it was good. Trying to give a summary for those short on time

Post by **jonesg** » 04 Mar 2025, 16:39

on the front end, if I'm swapping out flex hoses I hit it with the torch if it doesn't want to play easy.
or chop it off and just use a socket.
or , less radical, put it under pressure and tap the union with a hammer.
Double wrenching or cheater pipes is a failure to understand how to use the wrench.