[Healeys] Removing brake lines from Aluminum wheel/master cylinders

[Michael Salter]

 Hi Don,
Unfortunately it is unlikely that you will get it out. The aluminum oxidizes
and swells so much that it usually locks the fitting irrecoverably. 
I have tried every penetant known to man but nothing I have found will
dissolve aluminium oxide. You will probably have to resort to heating if the
situation is very bad, heat seems to cause aluminium oxide to break down but
avoiding melting the aluminium requires a fine touch and the plating on the
line and flare nut will be ruined requiring their replacement. 
Percussive harassment (hammering) will occasionally help but usually the
threads in the aluminium cylinder will be damaged. 
The force created by the oxidizing aluminium is often sufficient to crack
the cylinder at the thread anyway.  
In my experience be prepared to replace the cylinder and probably the
line..after all these are brakes you're are dealing with and you don't have
the luxury of a dual braking system!!!

Michael Salter
http://www.netbug.net/blogmichael/?p=445


-----Original Message-----
From: healeys-bounces at autox.team.net [mailto:healeys-bounces at autox.team.net]
On Behalf Of dgschwind at comcast.net
Sent: Friday, October 02, 2009 4:49 PM
To: healeys at autox.team.net
Subject: [Healeys] Removing brake lines from Aluminum wheel/master cylinders

Hi, Listers,

B B B  I just tried to remove a brake line from a rear wheel aluminum
cylinder. It wouldn't budge and since I was afraid of damaging the cylinder,
I
quit trying. Is there a safe technique or material application to allow
removal? Another blow for using steel fittings in aluminum parts! Would
appreciate your wisdom. Thanks,

DonB B  BJ8B B  Pandora