Can’t loosen hydraulic hose (not a quick connect)

[seville009]

Looking for tool suggestions to get these hydraulic hose fittings off.



These are on a skidsteer snowblower.

I had these hoses off two years ago because one hose had worn through over the years. Got them off and changed with a socket wrench.

Had them off again last year because there was a small leak in the fitting. Got them off again without any issues with a socket wrench.

Had a new small leak last winter; trying to fix it now, but for the life of me, I cannot budge (loosen) any of these hose fittings with the same socket wrench.

I’ve used a hammer on the wrench to try to break the bond, but it was starting to round out the nut.

I can’t use a flare nut wrench, because there’s a small bulge in the metal fitting to the left of each nut that prevents me from getting a flare nut wrench onto the nut.

My question is - is there some other tool out there that will get a better grip than a two sided socket wrencon these nuts?

There is no hydraulic pressure on the hoses either.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

 

[ruffdog]

If a good quality crows foot or open end won't get it done, sometimes rapping the side of the fitting will loosen it a bit. So I don't damage the fitting, I use a piece of aluminum/brass/copper bar stock up against one of the flats of the fitting. Then, give it a good rap with a hammer. Then try your wrench again.

 

[seville009]

Thanks

I’ve hit the fitting to try to break the bond, but no luck. I’ve soaked them in PB Blaster for a few days too.

I looked at those Crowfoot wrenches, but assumed that I would have the same potential stripping issue as I have with my regular socket wrench.

I do have enough leverage, but just need something that will get a tighter grip on the fitting.

What’s frustrating is that I’ve had these hoses on and off twice before using just the socket wrench.

 

[oldnslo]

Do you have an air hammer - chisel. I have had some success keeping some tension on the end wrench and use a blunt nose punch in air hammer against the wrench. Vibration helped break them loose. I ground a rounded slot in a punch to kind of fit on wrench handle and assist in not sliding off.

 

[seville009]

Do you have an air hammer - chisel. I have had some success keeping some tension on the end wrench and use a blunt nose punch in air hammer against the wrench. Vibration helped break them loose. I ground a rounded slot in a punch to kind of fit on wrench handle and assist in not sliding off.

No air hammer…..I’ll work on it some more with basic hammering. It has to come loose at some point. I was just wondering if (hopefully) there was some “magic” tool out there that would work better.

If the fitting didn’t have that built-in hump in it, those flare nut wrenches would do the trick, I think.

Thanks

 

[ruffdog]

Don't those fittings have an o-ring on them? If that is the case, they don't have to be super tight.

 

[seville009]

Don't those fittings have an o-ring on them? If that is the case, they don't have to be super tight.

No O-rings in them……..

 

[Carl_NH]

Have you tried heating the block - is it AL if so, it should expand faster than the fittings.

Then can you get a round jaw set of pliers or vise grips on the bulge or the ribs to add some more leverage along with the wrench? It could be that connection to the nut that's tight?

 

[seville009]

Yeah - tried heating it; no dice. I’ve given up for now. Will tackle it again in a week or so. Sometimes leaving something for a bit makes it work in the end.

Thanks

 

[bdhsfz6]

From the look of that partially rounded fitting, I assume you will probably replace the hose. If you don't, you will have the same problem the next time you try to remove it. Cut the fitting between the nut and bulge with a sawzall. Then you can get a flare nut, or socket wrench on what's left of the fitting.

Sometimes, you can file the flats of the fitting to get a snug fit on the next size smaller socket. Using a metric socket also helps.

If you still can't get it out, use a screw extractor on the inside of the fitting:

Amazon.com

Make sure you clean out all the metal chips to keep them out of the hyd. system.

 

[seville009]

From the look of that partially rounded fitting, I assume you will probably replace the hose. If you don't, you will have the same problem the next time you try to remove it. Cut the fitting between the nut and bulge with a sawzall. Then you can get a flare nut, or socket wrench on what's left of the fitting.

Sometimes, you can file the flats of the fitting to get a snug fit on the next size smaller socket. Using a metric socket also helps.

If you still can't get it out, use a screw extractor on the inside of the fitting:

View attachment 1288541

Amazon.com

Make sure you clean out all the metal chips to keep them out of the hyd. system.

Thanks for the suggestions.

The hose that I’ve partially rounded the nut off is actually a good hose, so I don’t want to ruin it (any more) if possible. .
The hose that’s leaking is on the inside bottom, and the only way to get that hose off is to take the other three hoses off first so that I can get a wrench on it.

I think the warm summer weather may be making the metal nuts expand a bit and become just soft enough to have the wrench round it. The two previous times that I had these hoses off with the same wrench was in the winter, so presumably the metal was harder and less prone to rounding due to the cold.

My plan now is to stop at the dealer this week and see if they have any tips/suggestions.

Thanks again.

 

[IH3444]

Flare Nut Wrenchs.

https://www.harborfreight.com/search?q=flare%20nut%20wrench

 

[seville009]

Flare Nut Wrenchs.

https://www.harborfreight.com/search?q=flare%20nut%20wrench

Problem is that there is a metal bulge in the hose fitting right in front of the nut, so there’s no way to get the flare nut wrench over the bulge and onto the nut.

I have no idea what the purpose of that metal bulge is, other than to possibly strengthen where the fitting connects with the hose.

 

[Mike1955]

Yeah - tried heating it; no dice. I’ve given up for now. Will tackle it again in a week or so. Sometimes leaving something for a bit makes it work in the end.

Thanks

Don’t they make line wrenches. Like a six point with one point gone?

 

[IH3444]

Have had non-fail success with these situations with long nose locking pliers. You had to put them on so tight you think you can't do it. Get them on very, very, tight, and then either try with your hand, or rapping them with a dead blow hammer. Be sure to get them on so if you have to rap them with a hammer you have swing room, and the pliers are facing the correct direction so when you hit them you are not loosening them. Real touchy situation you have there. When you do finally get them lose I would seriously consider replacing both hose with user friendly hoses.

https://www.harborfreight.com/hand-tools/pliers/locking-pliers/10-inch-long-nose-pliers-39717.html

These are OK pliers, in your case I would spend the money for higher quality, VICE-GRIP brand.
Or just try and fit regular VICE GRIP and smack them with a brass soft blow hammer.

 

[seville009]

Don’t they make line wrenches. Like a six point with one point gone?

Yes - that’s the flare nut wrench, but that metal bulge on the line prevents me from getting the wrench onto yhe nut.

 

[seville009]

Have had non-fail success with these situations with long nose locking pliers. You had to put them on so tight you think you can't do it. Get them on very, very, tight, and then either try with your hand, or rapping them with a dead blow hammer. Be sure to get them on so if you have to rap them with a hammer you have swing room, and the pliers are facing the correct direction so when you hit them you are not loosening them. Real touchy situation you have there. When you do finally get them lose I would seriously consider replacing both hose with user friendly hoses.

https://www.harborfreight.com/hand-tools/pliers/locking-pliers/10-inch-long-nose-pliers-39717.html

These are OK pliers, in your case I would spend the money for higher quality, VICE-GRIP brand.
Or just try and fit regular VICE GRIP and smack them with a brass soft blow hammer.

Tried vise grips, as well as this locking crescent wrench. No dice……. The metal nut is almost too soft.

 

[kennyd]

No O-rings in them……..

That sure looks like an ORB/SAE fitting, so there should be an o-ring. If there isn't, and you tightened it enough to stop it from leaking, that is the real issue here.

 

[IH3444]

That sure looks like an ORB/SAE fitting, so there should be an o-ring. If there isn't, and you tightened it enough to stop it from leaking, that is the real issue here.

View attachment 1288719

You can see the O-ring squeezed out in the first photo. The fitting had been severely over tightened. I still think that regular jaw vice grips can remove them. Then new hoses need to be purchased and properly installed.

 

[m7040]

When I have had problems like this I will use the 12 inch Knipex pliers and has worked very time