JPVortex
Full Access Member
Hey y'all with the front suspension rebuild complete in my 2002 Suburban, I also decided to replace all 5 of the brake hoses on the truck. They were original and the rubber was cracking on every single one. All 4 corners went SUPER easy, about 5-10 minutes per side. Using the trick of using a rod to hold the brake pedal about an inch or two down, I lost almost no fluid in the process. But then, the rear center line struck.... The one that goes from the rear axle all the way up to a place I like to call "neverland", because you're never going to be able to see it and never going to be able to get it with a regular flare nut wrench sitting where it is.
So I did the next obvious thing, I took the bolt for the bracket off and slid the whole thing forward(hose and metal line). This worked! I was able to grab the dismounted bracket with vice grips to hold it, and got the flare nut off. I got the new hose installed on both ends, was NOT fun. This is where I realized I made a fatal error, I removed the bracket from the most insanely tight area that you can get.
There is just absolutely zero chance I get that bracket back up there and lined up with its bolt hole. With myself having fingers that somewhat resemble big sausages(lol), I cannot get my hand in there far enough to line up the bracket and start the bolt.
So where do I go from here? Do I keep struggling with the bracket until my knuckles bleed and I curse like a sailor(again) OR do I submit defeat to the beast of a bracket and zip tie the hose/line somewhere safe. Suggestions are welcome. 10/10 PIA job.
So I did the next obvious thing, I took the bolt for the bracket off and slid the whole thing forward(hose and metal line). This worked! I was able to grab the dismounted bracket with vice grips to hold it, and got the flare nut off. I got the new hose installed on both ends, was NOT fun. This is where I realized I made a fatal error, I removed the bracket from the most insanely tight area that you can get.
There is just absolutely zero chance I get that bracket back up there and lined up with its bolt hole. With myself having fingers that somewhat resemble big sausages(lol), I cannot get my hand in there far enough to line up the bracket and start the bolt.
So where do I go from here? Do I keep struggling with the bracket until my knuckles bleed and I curse like a sailor(again) OR do I submit defeat to the beast of a bracket and zip tie the hose/line somewhere safe. Suggestions are welcome. 10/10 PIA job.