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914World.com _ 914World Garage _ Replacing rear brake soft lines
Posted by: 87m491 Sep 18 2016, 11:02 AM
Does anyone have a preferred "shortcut" for removing the retaining "U" tab on the soft line mounts to the body? The bottom ones behind the wheels are a snap as there is plenty of remove to lever with a screwdriver or other, but the upper side which is up at the edge of the engine bay has very little maneuvering room to get a tool in, on , around.
thx
Mike
Posted by: stugray Sep 18 2016, 11:58 AM
IIRC I use a small pair of vise-grips and clamped onto the raised portion of the tab.
Then I used a screwdriver tho pry the visegrip head away from the brake line fitting.
Posted by: rgalla9146 Sep 18 2016, 12:07 PM
You're replacing the hoses ?
Cut the hose off the metal fitting then use a 17mm deep socket (or is it 14mm?) with a 12" extension to turn the fitting off the 11mm nut on the brake tube.
Better yet, use a "crow foot" type tubing wrench and "lean" it against the nearby wall as you turn the bigger fitting off with the ratchet and socket.
Use a vise grip and a flat screwdriver to remove the spring clip first
Posted by: 87m491 Sep 18 2016, 12:58 PM
You've described how I finally got the upper hose separated perfectly. Took me a while to figure since I was replacing them, I could cut off the hose near the fitting and use a deep socket 17 instead of 1/8 turn at a time with the crows foot!.
That said, removing the retaining clip is a PITA. I thought small vise grip but precious little room, at least on the drivers side where I started and am currently stuck, but will try again as you and the previous poster mentioned.
You're replacing the hoses ?
Cut the hose off the metal fitting then use a 17mm deep socket (or is it 14mm?) with a 12" extension to turn the fitting off the 11mm nut on the brake tube.
Better yet, use a "crow foot" type tubing wrench and "lean" it against the nearby wall as you turn the bigger fitting off with the ratchet and socket.
Use a vise grip and a flat screwdriver to remove the spring clip first
Posted by: kid914 Sep 18 2016, 03:52 PM
Is replacing the brake lines worth it to go with the braided lines??? 
Posted by: 87m491 Sep 18 2016, 04:24 PM
I went with braided only because I could find DOT units and a set of 4 was ~$100. That said even though they were for "Porsche".. the fitting was 11/16ths and not 17mm. I couldn't figure how to get a grip on the clip with vice grips etc. but finally got the retaining clip off by working through the engine compartment and levering with a long screwdriver through the rain drain holes! Hopefully the other side tomorrow!
Is replacing the brake lines worth it to go with the braided lines???
Posted by: rgalla9146 Sep 18 2016, 06:00 PM
You've described how I finally got the upper hose separated perfectly. Took me a while to figure since I was replacing them, I could cut off the hose near the fitting and use a deep socket 17 instead of 1/8 turn at a time with the crows foot!.
That said, removing the retaining clip is a PITA. I thought small vise grip but precious little room, at least on the drivers side where I started and am currently stuck, but will try again as you and the previous poster mentioned.
You're replacing the hoses ?
Cut the hose off the metal fitting then use a 17mm deep socket (or is it 14mm?) with a 12" extension to turn the fitting off the 11mm nut on the brake tube.
Better yet, use a "crow foot" type tubing wrench and "lean" it against the nearby wall as you turn the bigger fitting off with the ratchet and socket.
Use a vise grip and a flat screwdriver to remove the spring clip first
Try using a vise grip as shown in the photo.
Rotate it and pull at the same time, not too forceful. Use some WD40 and as soon as you can see a small opening in the clip use a flat screwdriver to lever the clip off.
Attached thumbnail(s)
Posted by: kid914 Sep 18 2016, 06:40 PM
I went with braided only because I could find DOT units and a set of 4 was ~$100. That said even though they were for "Porsche".. the fitting was 11/16ths and not 17mm. I couldn't figure how to get a grip on the clip with vice grips etc. but finally got the retaining clip off by working through the engine compartment and levering with a long screwdriver through the rain drain holes! Hopefully the other side tomorrow!
Where did you source them from??
Is replacing the brake lines worth it to go with the braided lines???
Posted by: mepstein Sep 18 2016, 07:16 PM
Is replacing the brake lines worth it to go with the braided lines???
No
Posted by: 87m491 Sep 21 2016, 06:32 AM
Checked my records and sourced from Pelican, though made by "Troutman". $68. The lines look robust but they are not very flexible and install was a little tougher than would be with more flexible rubber lines.
[quote name='kid914' date='Sep 18 2016, 04:40 PM' post='2400142']
[quote name='87m491' post='2400091' date='Sep 18 2016, 06:24 PM']
I went with braided only because I could find DOT units and a set of 4 was ~$100. That said even though they were for "Porsche".. the fitting was 11/16ths and not 17mm. I couldn't figure how to get a grip on the clip with vice grips etc. but finally got the retaining clip off by working through the engine compartment and levering with a long screwdriver through the rain drain holes! Hopefully the other side tomorrow!
Where did you source them from??
Posted by: 914_teener Sep 21 2016, 07:58 AM
Believe it or not....I.d rank this as one of the biggest PITA.s on the 914.
Great information and great solution.
Posted by: The Cabinetmaker Sep 21 2016, 05:45 PM
I just use a pair of side cutting pliers, aka, diagonal cutting pliers, or just plain dikes. Much easier than screwing up the hole for the drain hose.
Posted by: 87m491 Sep 25 2016, 12:20 PM
Doing the other side, I hit on the "best" way so far. It is pretty easy, even in the tight confines to cock the retainer left or right so that the unreachable side sticks out from behind the mounting flange.....
once you accomplish this, you can "walk" the retainer out using a flat screwdriver on each side as the retainer peeks out side to side. Out in 15 seconds. Time to find it after it flew out about 1 minute!
Believe it or not....I.d rank this as one of the biggest PITA.s on the 914.
Great information and great solution.
Posted by: 930cabman Mar 19 2023, 11:50 AM
You've described how I finally got the upper hose separated perfectly. Took me a while to figure since I was replacing them, I could cut off the hose near the fitting and use a deep socket 17 instead of 1/8 turn at a time with the crows foot!.
That said, removing the retaining clip is a PITA. I thought small vise grip but precious little room, at least on the drivers side where I started and am currently stuck, but will try again as you and the previous poster mentioned.
You're replacing the hoses ?
Cut the hose off the metal fitting then use a 17mm deep socket (or is it 14mm?) with a 12" extension to turn the fitting off the 11mm nut on the brake tube.
Better yet, use a "crow foot" type tubing wrench and "lean" it against the nearby wall as you turn the bigger fitting off with the ratchet and socket.
Use a vise grip and a flat screwdriver to remove the spring clip first
I just completed this hose replacement, the '75 model year was a very good example without crud/rusting/etc. The "C" clip was the hardest part of the job and I was not bale to grab it across as shown, but was able to grab it by the 1/8" or so and wiggle it loose. If working on a crusty example I would suggest to saturate the clip upper side a day or so ahead of time
Try using a vise grip as shown in the photo.
Rotate it and pull at the same time, not too forceful. Use some WD40 and as soon as you can see a small opening in the clip use a flat screwdriver to lever the clip off.
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