PSA: Must-have locking wrench vice-grips

[sienayr]

Hi all. Been overhauling the rear-end of my E30, including replacing all rubber brake hoses. I have the proper flare wrench, but was still having difficulty getting 26 year old brake lines and hoses apart.

I went searching for something better, and came across these locking wrench pliers online. I tracked them down locally (don't seem to be stocked at your typical big-box hardware stores), and they really saved my bacon getting the old hoses off. You can lock these suckers down as tight as possible to nuts and they won't slip, mar or round off them off. I know I sound like a commercial, but these are one of the best tools I've found for a long time.

They come in three sizes, I got the smallest ones for the brake lines. They are a little pricey compared to generic vice-grips, but I'll probably end up getting the other sizes to have on hand as well.

http://www.irwin.com/tools/locking-tools/the-original-locking-wrenches

[gmak]

Great idea! Wish I had these when I did my brake lines.

[philly98540]

Those are pretty nice. Just a bit bulky for the tight spots, but a great tool to have.

[sienayr]

Just a bit bulky for the tight spots, but a great tool to have.

On the E30 there are rear-inner brake lines, which per official procedure require removal of the sub-frame to get at because the connections are tucked up above the subframe and rear control arm. With the removal of a splash shield I was able to get the smallest version of these in there and locked on to the brake fittings so I didn't have to drop the sub-frame (control arms were removed).