How many of you guys every do dumb **** that leaves you questions how smart you are? I'm not a profession, so time on a job is on my side. I still every once in a while find a way to round off a fastener or two. Here's my latest. I'm rebuilding the steering actuator in my boat. It's a Volvo penta engine and drive. The actuator is about 600 bucks new but I got a seal kit off ebay. It's hard to get to behind the engine, but manageable. The first thing to do is remove the hydraulic lines. I busted out my sk line wrenches and matched the brass flare fitting to a 10mm line wrench. It felt like a good fit so I give just a soft turn and round off the flare. Dammit. I try again and same thing. ****. I get out my standard set and the 7/16 is a match. I tap it on and loosen the damn flare nut. So now I have two corners rounded off this flare nut. It still is salvageable but the ocd in me wants to pull the line and take it into a hydraulic shoe and have a new fitting made. Ok. Let me have it.
Did dumb sh!t again....
- Thread starter monster1
- Start date
BajaScout
Well-known member
Flare nuts can be a pain!
can you file it down to 11 or 10 mm? brass should be easy peasy
kerrynzl
Well-known member
They're still perfectly useable as is!
You need a special "rounded flare nut" tool [called Vice-Grip Locking pliers]
You need a special "rounded flare nut" tool [called Vice-Grip Locking pliers]
oldwino
ALLIANCE MEMBER
DFB
Well-known member
I'm still wondering how the 10mm fit in the first place if a 7/16 wrench did the job 
Thinking it was maybe you meant 3/8"
Thinking it was maybe you meant 3/8"
xyster101
Well-known member
Just put it back. No one can see it and by the time it needs to be taken off again, then you can deal with it.
I installed my circulator pump backwards on my heating system. I did not realize until after it was full of water. sigh.
I installed my circulator pump backwards on my heating system. I did not realize until after it was full of water. sigh.
87quest
Well-known member
Changed shocks and struts on my 07 civic. 18 total nuts or bolts to remove. Stripped two bolts, splitting two sockets as well, stripped a nut to the point I had to grind it off and buy another mount, and lost a socket in the firewall. So short a few 14mm sockets. Ended up taking way to long. Haha. Not alone my friend.
quest
quest
Wouldn’t be the first time that happened, won’t be the last.
If the 7/16” works, I’d leave it, I’ve seen much worse.
If you get to the point it absolutely has to be replaced, I’d be tempted to take a Dremel with a cutting disc and barely cut off the flare, replace the nut, and reflare it. It is probably a double flare.
Auto parts stores have those nuts - probably same as a brake line.
If you don’t have a double flare tool, don’t get a cheap one. Get a name brand as the cheap ones do not work that well.
I bet that name brand flaring tool doesn’t cost much more than that special hose, and then you have the tool.
If the 7/16” works, I’d leave it, I’ve seen much worse.
If you get to the point it absolutely has to be replaced, I’d be tempted to take a Dremel with a cutting disc and barely cut off the flare, replace the nut, and reflare it. It is probably a double flare.
Auto parts stores have those nuts - probably same as a brake line.
If you don’t have a double flare tool, don’t get a cheap one. Get a name brand as the cheap ones do not work that well.
I bet that name brand flaring tool doesn’t cost much more than that special hose, and then you have the tool.
ilovevocs
Well-known member
My grandpa (now 94) has always told me:
“If your not making mistakes your not doing enough work.
A lazy guy who sits on his a$$ al day never makes a mistake.”
Sent from my iPhone using The Garage Journal mobile app
“If your not making mistakes your not doing enough work.
A lazy guy who sits on his a$$ al day never makes a mistake.”
Sent from my iPhone using The Garage Journal mobile app
stonesg
Well-known member
That looks like standard steel lines and fittings.
Go buy some line, fittings and a flare tool and roll your own.
Good skill to have and very satisfying.
My last goof up was cutting the 45 on a piece of door casing trim the wrong way...
Go buy some line, fittings and a flare tool and roll your own.
Good skill to have and very satisfying.
My last goof up was cutting the 45 on a piece of door casing trim the wrong way...
DFB
Well-known member
TheEquineFencer
Well-known member
Got OCD huh? Just be done with it and go buy a new boat!