Brake switch 1, Drew 1

[drooartz]

Thanks to the encouragement of this group, I have achieved a small victory over my brake system. I stopped by the local auto parts store (great store, good folks) and picked up a 3/8 - 7/16 flare wrench. Turns out 7/16" is the magic size. I was able to to get the lines off the union, and get the union out of the car. Can't get the switch out yet, but I'm working on it. Looks like when they painted the engine bay black, they painted right over the union and the threads of all the fittings. Lovely. That combined with 40+ years of brake sludge are making this difficult. I need to get a bigger vise.

 

[Bugeye58]

Drew, gently warm the area around the switch threads with a propane torch. That should break the seal created by the grunge and old paint.
I repeat...gently. And make sure the switch is pointed away from you as you heat it. Fluid in confined spaces can do nasty things.
Jeff

 

[drooartz]

Looks like I need to get a propane torch...

 

[Bugeye58]

Got a good blow dryer?
Jeff

 

[drooartz]

My wife would kill me if I took her dryer outside! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

 

[Bugeye58]

Well, then I suppose she wouldn't be amused if you used the turkey baster to top up the transmission lube?
I know mine wasn't.
Jeff

 

[drooartz]

As the cook in the family, I'd be the one annoyed. With myself. Hmm...

 

[Bugeye58]

OK, Drew. Preheat the oven to 500 degrees. Wrap the brake fitting in aluminum foil............................ /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/devilgrin.gif
Jeff

 

[spritenut]

I guess you don't use the dishwasher for a parts washer either /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[jlaird]

Or the dryer as a parts polisher?

 

[drooartz]

Maybe I should get a little toaster oven for the garage... /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

So far, the only parts that have been in the house are the seats, windscreen, and top. My wife is very understanding, but not a car person. Best to keep the peace.

No more progress on getting the bits apart. Trying to be very careful, since the brake union seems to be a non-replaceable part. Probably will try to pick up a small propane torch tomorrow, and try the heat route. Also need to find a better vise.

I miss my old garage right now, with its 16' heavy-duty workbench. Ah well, ya takes what ya get.

 

[Matthew E. Herd]

I'd actually be pretty sure you could find a replacement somewhere, if not the exact part. However waste not, want not!

 

[jlaird]

Every spridget has one of those unions. I would bet Tony has one or more in a parts drawer. Do you have a wire wheel on a bench motor? If so clean everything up now before you try to remove the switch anymore, maybe, just maybe the heat from the wheel will help. At least it will get the paint off.

Oh yea, think part of that switch is plastic and it will burn, careful with the torch if you go that route.

Now the way I do it is put the union, brass part in a vice with a towel or something around it and put an 18 inch cressent on the switch. Vice does not need to be large it is just holding the union from turning. Guess a box end wrench would be better but then I don't have a helper bar and need the 18"s to move it gently. A tap or two on the wrench gently would maybe help as well.

 

[drooartz]

Just noticed the VB catalog claims to have that 4-way union part. $45--must be gold plated! May have to call anyways, just to see.

 

[jlaird]

That union is brass, go for it.

 

[Matthew E. Herd]

If we can figure out the threads, etc, we may be able to find a cheaper replacement. After all, it's not like 4 ways are terribly uncommon. It's just the thread size/type that's probably uncommon.

 

[jlaird]

Be willing to bet those are standard size threads, I know the switch is not special.

 

[ChrisS]

Drew, before you buy one for $45 let me check my spares, I think I may have an extra. Let me know if I should look.

 

[drooartz]

Just ordered a new 4-way union from VB. They had it in stock, so I decided it was worth the $45 bucks. I'll still try to get the old one apart, but now I have a backup. It's a bit of a strange beastie, since it has the opening for the stop light pressure switch as well.

 

[jlaird]

Un screw that switch now, it will come right out, hehe.