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Frustrated and it's Continually Building....

kmakar

kmakar

Janitor
Seems like every time I go to fix something on this Oldsmobile Starfire I come across another abortion a "supposed" mechanic fixed.

So all the brake parts came in and I'm about to disconnect the hard brake lines from the hoses in the front, and what do I find? The fittings are stripped to holy hell, so instead of fixing it right and replacing the fitting, they used vice grips and completely destroyed the fittings, so now I'm stuck with replacing both front brake lines because I can't get them apart.

What pisses me off more than anything is someone who thinks they know what they are doing, but really shouldn't be breathing the same air that we do. I hate hack mechanics. If you're going to do something, take the time and do it right.

Just because you are on the clock and trying to get as many jobs done so you can make more money, that's no excuse for doing a shitty job.

So now that I'm into it this far, I'll just rebend and replace all the hard brake lines.

Rant over.
 
I agree about hack mechanics, that is why I hate taking my cars anywhere, even to people I trust.

My Bronze Chevelle had hack body work done on it, cars looks good but I know it isn't right. I am going to have it worked on in a couple of years, I know it won't be cheap but doing things the right way is the only way to go.

When somebody does work on my stuff I go back over it to make sure everything is put back together correctly. What is the old saying, "If you want something done right, do it yourself."
 
Kevin that Olds has been around a long time and at some point maybe a 16 year old owned it and didn't know any better? I'm very happy my dad was a car/truck guy (Ferd though) and showed me that there's a tool for every job....I do think he owed a few pairs of vice grips though ;)
 
Molly's 70 said:
I decided it was cheaper for me to buy mine pre bent. I was scrapping to much product. :oops:
Click to expand...

Yeah, no one has prebent for the Starfire since it was an "oddball" and rare car which is the main reason I bought it is to fix and sell it to make a good profit.
 
Shovelrick said:
Kevin that Olds has been around a long time and at some point maybe a 16 year old owned it and didn't know any better? I'm very happy my dad was a car/truck guy (Ferd though) and showed me that there's a tool for every job....I do think he owed a few pairs of vice grips though ;)
Click to expand...

Nope, the original owner owned it her whole life (her Dad bought it for her), but she's always had someone else fix it for her.
 
Those old brake lines will overcome the precision of a brake line wrench. I bought a vise grip that's designed for hex nuts, clamps formed on a "v" male and female, and can be used successfully to loosen stubborn nuts. Afaik, nobody makes a good brake line wrench that doesn't spread when torqued. I have been known to clamp a grip over the brake line wrench when space allows.
 
cheveslakr said:
Those old brake lines will overcome the precision of a brake line wrench. I bought a vise grip that's designed for hex nuts, clamps formed on a "v" male and female, and can be used successfully to loosen stubborn nuts. Afaik, nobody makes a good brake line wrench that doesn't spread when torqued. I have been known to clamp a grip over the brake line wrench when space allows.
Click to expand...

These were already quite stripped and they had used vice grips as the nuts were stripped and crushed. I was going to bend my own, but couldn't get any long enough (supply chain issues), so I ordered a complete set from inline tube. Hopefully they are bent correctly.

I do like your idea of a vice grip on the flare wrench though, I hadn't even thought of that.

Gives me an idea to create a custom wrench with a "locking latch" over a box end wrench with a notch cut out to go over a line.......
 
Something like a very small pipe wrench seems like it would work but I don't know who makes one?
 
Many moons ago I had a box full of Snap On tools. Their flare nut wrenches were very good. Even the crows foot flare nut wrenches were good too. I have an old domestic Craftsman set now that’s not as good, but still better than the offshore or boat dock tools.
 
I contacted Inline Tube because I hadn't heard anything since the order last week and they told me that the pre bent brake lines are not a stock item and they are made to order when an order is placed.

The guy said they are 2 weeks out from making the brake lines. Sucks, but I have no choice. Seems all of the places around here can't get any brake line longer than 3' because of supply chain issues, so I'll have to wait.
 
I think Eastwood has a brake line bending tool that won't break the bank. Might be a good tool to have handy.
 
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