I have a 1985 Camaro and one of the wheel cylinders is leaking. The rubber seals are old and cracked so I was going to take it apart and replace the wheel cylinders. But I came to a standstill when I realized the brake line was seized into the wheel cylinder, and the nut was partially stripped. I could not get it off with an open ended wrench. And yes I have pb blaster and have used it. So I have 3 ideas. Get some type of metal file and flatten out the edges on the nut. Try and rebuild the wheel cylinder without taking it off. Or get a pair of vice grips to remove the nut. So what do you think is the best idea? If you have any suggestions on tools for any of these ideas let me know.

 

usually i do it in reverse. hold the line with whatever you can as tight as you can and spin the wheel cylinder around. obviously after having the wheel cylinder removed usually 2 bolts.

 

Hmm well that does seem like a good idea but how do you turn the wheel cylinder? I am guessing you use a pair of vice grips to hold the brake line in place. Then you use something to turn the wheel cylinder what do you use to do that? I dont think just using my hands will work. Maybe a rubber mallet?

 

It all has to be replaced now anyway, so why not just cut it? Btw, people still rebuild wheel cylinders? They cost like $12.

 

What is a wheel cylinder?

 

The wheel cylinder is the part inside older drum brakes that pushes out on the brake shoes. One of the rubber seals on my wheel cylinder is cracked and leaking brake fluid. I have to floor the brakes to get it to stop. Most likely because there is air in the lines. So I have to replace the wheel cylinders and bleed the brakes and it should be fine hopefully.

 

I found these I think they will help to remove the brake line. http://corvaircenter.com/phorum/read...,281424,281573

 

I'm having the same issue with the rear center line. Will not break loose and i'm afraid of rounding the sides! Those vice grips look like it should get the job done though!

 

just cut and remove the wheel cylinder and portion of brake line. The line goes from the wheel cylinder to the junction block at the pumpkin. A 36" line would probably work fine and you can bend it easily with your hands.

 

What I learned on brake lines on my 85',like good turns lead to another one rotten stripped brake line always leads to another,I ended up replacing everything from the master on back.

 

Thanks for the help guys. I used a pair of huge vice grips to brake it free. The nut is pretty mangled but I was still able to use to vice grips to tighten it back up. So I got the new wheel cylinders on. This has been a valuable learning experience.