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Coldsnap
Coldsnap Dork
11/21/16 9:11 a.m.

I have to hold this nut down so it doesn't turn, while I turn the line nut. However, it's pretty darn shallow and there's part of the radiator in the way, so I can't get a big plier in there. I've tried needle nose but they are too small. This is my transmission fluid cooler line going into my radiator.

NickD
NickD Dork
11/21/16 9:14 a.m.

When you turn the line fitting, does the nut actually turn and start to back out of the radiator? If it (the radiator fitting) just threads into the radiator, you could back that out of the radiator and then unthread it from the line fitting once they are out in the open where you can get a grip on it.

NOT A TA
NOT A TA Dork
11/21/16 9:21 a.m.

If it's metric you could beg, borrow, buy, a cone wrench for bicycles up to 22mm like the ones in the pic. Or maybe make something similar if you've got some thick sheet metal.

[URL=http://s240.photobucket.com/user/NOTATA/media/ebay%20items%20to%20sell/20161107_143538_zpsu8chmuc9.jpg.html][/URL]

Chas_H
Chas_H Reader
11/21/16 9:22 a.m.

Remove the other end and run a box wrench down over the tube. Or use/buy a crow foot flare nut socket.

Coldsnap
Coldsnap Dork
11/21/16 9:23 a.m.
NickD wrote: When you turn the line fitting, does the nut actually turn and start to back out of the radiator? If it (the radiator fitting) just threads into the radiator, you could back that out of the radiator and then unthread it from the line fitting once they are out in the open where you can get a grip on it.

It's welded into something inside the radiator and I guess if it turns it can come undone and ruin itself :O

I can sorta get a grip on it with my bigger wrench. I might just continue to PB blast the line nut, it was loosened roughly 30k miles ago, so shouldn't be too hard of a push to get it undone.

NOHOME
NOHOME PowerDork
11/21/16 9:30 a.m.

I cant tell if the big Hex is threaded or soldered into the rad.

I would find a wrench in the appropriate big hex size, cut a slot out of the closed end and slip it over the tube and on to the big hex. I might also run the opening of the modified wrench on the belt-sander to eliminate any radius on the edge and hence get better engagement. I have a collection of wrenches that have been modified for just such occasions.

fasted58
fasted58 UltimaDork
11/21/16 9:31 a.m.

Cut out an old box end wrench ala flare nut wrench

edit: beat by one minute

02Pilot
02Pilot Dork
11/21/16 9:31 a.m.

Cone wrenches (and headset wrenches for larger sizes) are great for stuff like this.

Coldsnap
Coldsnap Dork
11/21/16 9:35 a.m.

This guy uses a wrench I haven't seen, but it seems like he has more room on the nut than mine.

https://www.youtube.com/embed/Uyj3hhlZBjg

DukeOfUndersteer
DukeOfUndersteer UltimaDork
11/21/16 10:25 a.m.

In reply to NOT A TA:

Exactly the reason why i bought your set...

DrBoost
DrBoost UltimaDork
11/21/16 10:27 a.m.

This is why mechanics have a drawer full of tools that have been modified for one-time-use tasks.

John Brown
John Brown MegaDork
11/21/16 11:02 a.m.

Is it wrong that I read shallow nut and thought...

914Driver
914Driver MegaDork
11/21/16 11:07 a.m.

jfryjfry
jfryjfry Reader
11/21/16 11:31 a.m.
914Driver wrote:

Beat me to it.

wlkelley3
wlkelley3 UltraDork
11/21/16 11:51 a.m.

In reply to Coldsnap: A pair of slip joint pliers and a flare nut wrench is what he used. I was thinking old ignition wrenches but probably doesn't go big enough. Could modify a wrench, grinding it so it is thinner. Have a couple like that myself. Have a small tool box full of special made tools for helicopters I worked on, even after giving some away.

Knurled
Knurled MegaDork
11/21/16 12:09 p.m.
914Driver wrote:

AKA "How to ruin needlenose Vise-Grips"

There's probably an O2 sensor socket that would fit. That or just cut the line and use a box wrench.

That nut holds the trans cooler to the tank and seals the coolant, BTW.

fasted58
fasted58 UltimaDork
11/21/16 12:24 p.m.

Piece of scrap flat stock 1/8 or so thick. Hole saw (undersize) finished width, parallel saw for the flats, file it to fit, heat/bend to clear that 'in the way' obstacle.

Coldsnap
Coldsnap Dork
11/21/16 12:46 p.m.

can't i just pay my friend to bite down on it with his teeth, fabricating a tool sounds complicated!

pointofdeparture
pointofdeparture PowerDork
11/21/16 12:48 p.m.

I would go buy a cheap Harbor Freight wrench in the correct size and hit it with a bench grinder until it fits, doesn't get much less complicated than that.

Streetwiseguy
Streetwiseguy PowerDork
11/21/16 12:54 p.m.

I think if that fitting is turning, you need a new radiator. Pretty sure the nut is only there to retaine the cooler to the tank.

Coldsnap
Coldsnap Dork
11/21/16 1:02 p.m.
Streetwiseguy wrote: I think if that fitting is turning, you need a new radiator. Pretty sure the nut is only there to retaine the cooler to the tank.

It's not turning, I haven't tried to turn the line nut yet. Just mostly looking at it right now until I figure out a way to hold it down.

Streetwiseguy
Streetwiseguy PowerDork
11/21/16 1:13 p.m.

In reply to Coldsnap:

You don't need to hold it. Its just a nut to hold the cooler to the tank. If the line nut is so seized it turns the fitting, holding that nut won't help.

daeman
daeman HalfDork
11/21/16 2:48 p.m.

This gives you a better idea of what our dealing with. The big nut shouldn't move, unless there's something wrong. The big nut holds tension on the oil cooler seals so coolant doesn't leak past the oil cooler fittings.

Knurled
Knurled MegaDork
11/21/16 4:49 p.m.
Streetwiseguy wrote: In reply to Coldsnap: You don't need to hold it. Its just a nut to hold the cooler to the tank. If the line nut is so seized it turns the fitting, holding that nut won't help.

Well, usually. I've seen some goofy ones where that nut is also what the line threads into, and this appears to be that style. Note the lack of threads past it - it's also a bolt.

GTXVette
GTXVette Reader
11/21/16 5:12 p.m.

the threads seen in pic are from the cooler that is held in place by the large nut.you should only turn the Flare fitting nut. as stated if the large nut is turning when you turn the small nut the cooler is broken.cut it with a thumb screw tubing cutter re flare when you get a new radiator.

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