Replacing rear brake soft lines Options

[87m491]

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

[rgalla9146]

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

[87m491]

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

[rgalla9146]

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.

[930cabman]

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.