Do I need flare nut wrenches to remove these hoses?

[reader2580]

I have several hydraulic hoses I need to remove from a steering valve. I cannot remove them with an ordinary open end wrench due to clearance issues. Do I need flare nut wrenches for this?

See attached photo. The photo is easier to see if you click on it to enlarge it.

 

[mattyrattypoo]

With such a tight work space, I think an angled wrench may do the trick. Sometimes they are known as hydraulic wrenches. I have a set of Martin wrenches from McMaster Carr.

http://www.mcmaster.com/#open-end-hand-wrenches/=11boz3f

 

[purplezr2]

They look like Steel JIC fittings, regular wrench should be fine.

 

[reader2580]

The space is too tight for a regular open end wrench. I have tried every trick I know, which isn't many.

 

[Moose-LandTran]

You need crowfoot or angle wrenches. I doubt you'd get flare nut wrenches on them anyway.

 

[martin666]

Angle wrench would be my choice

 

[trxrx7]

i would try crowfeet, if that dont work. use a pointy chisel with a hammer and slowly turn them.

 

[CNGsaves]

Is that on a tractor ???

Can you remove the whole UNIT itself, then remove the hoses ??

 

[Liniden]

Use a crows foot, done a few like that in tight spaces

 

[crewchief888]

angle wrench is what i'd use

 

[JeepsAreBuilt]

Cut down a wrench to fit.. use another wrench closed end for leverage.

 

[kunkernator]

30/60 or 15/60 angle wrenches should work. They are actually sometimes called hydraulic wrenches.

 

[reader2580]

Is that on a tractor ???

Can you remove the whole UNIT itself, then remove the hoses ??

It is on a Groundsmaster commercial mower. Unfortunately, several of the lines are steel lines so I can't just remove the unit until the lines are loose.

 

[zendriver]

I had some luck with these on a nightmarish backhoe internal hose job.

http://www.harborfreight.com/15-piece-sae-service-wrench-set-93667.html

If you are replacing the hoses, I'd cut them with a saws all and use a box end wrench.

 

[mlbc2]

Had a set of this style for some pretty tight places where I used to work.

 

[countryroad82]

I have some wrenches I've heated and bent to my bidding for hydraulic fittings such as those. A decent cheap set of wrenches are so indispensable for such modifications!

 

[sberry]

I also make wrenches on occasion, grind or saw a cut out in a 12 pt end wrench, Might spot one right on top, a 5/8 made for temp sending units. I have a 7/8 Snap 12 pt I scored somewhere that has its place.

 

[Pipe]

I'm a turf equipment mechanic and have worked on several toro groundsmaster units. I'd go at that with a crowsfoot wrench. Hardest part is starting the threads on re-installation.
Good luck

 

[finn]

Looks like a sequencing problem: They probably all come off if you choose the correct one to start with.

Remember, they assembled it at the factory in a few seconds.

 

[reader2580]

I bought some Crescent crowfoot wrenches at Menards and they are way too big to be of any use. A waste of $20 I guess. I wouldn't have bought them except I am trying to get this done without waiting a week to order some tools.

I checked my service manual and all it says is to remove the hydraulic hoses and lines. I will probably order some of the really thin crowfoot wrenches by Bonney from Harry Epstein.

 

[purplezr2]

Looks like a sequencing problem: They probably all come off if you choose the correct one to start with.

Remember, they assembled it at the factory in a few seconds.

More than likely factory pre-assembled with the hoses on it, than assembled in in the unit.

 

[reader2580]

I'm a turf equipment mechanic and have worked on several toro groundsmaster units. I'd go at that with a crowsfoot wrench. Hardest part is starting the threads on re-installation.
Good luck

I see on some of the Groundsmaster models the plate that holds the steering valve is bolted on the sides. Are the ones you have worked on been that way? It wouldn't make getting the hose off any easier, but it sure would make getting the valve out easier. The plate on mine is welded in.

The nut holding the steering wheel on was quite rusty, but I was shocked how easily it came off. It stopped moving with a breaker bar, but my little 1/4" Makita cordless impact actually got the nut off.

 

[sberry]

I bought some Crescent crowfoot wrenches at Menards and they are way too big to be of any use. A waste of $20 I guess. I wouldn't have bought them except I am trying to get this done without waiting a week to order some tools.

I checked my service manual and all it says is to remove the hydraulic hoses and lines. I will probably order some of the really thin crowfoot wrenches by Bonney from Harry Epstein.

It is part of the reason for making a wrench, no real investment and no wait time. I had considered getting a set of the crow tubings but hadn't got around to it and the couple cases its been a problem I solved first. Its too bad the Crecents didn't work out.

 

[reader2580]

I don't have a torch to heat up a wrench to bend it, nor can I find my grinder to modify a wrench. If I had my grinder I might modify the Crescent crowfoot wrenches to fit.

 

[shockwave]

Open end crows foot or stubby imo the flare nut will be very tight

Angle wrenches aswell

 

[reader2580]

I ordered both angle wrenches and flare nut crowfoot wrenches for this.

The angle wrench worked great for most of the hoses. One nut I spent forever trying to get off. It is wedged between two pipes. Not enough room for even the thin crowfoot. I put the crowfoot at a severe angle and was barely able to grab the edges of the nut to spin it off. I have no idea how I will tighten the nut.