What size wrench for that stubborn clutch MC hydraulic line fitting?

Feel stupid asking this ... but ... What size wrench should be used for the clutch MC hydraulic line fitting. Tried 7/16" ... too small. Then tried 12mm ... too big. Went out and bought 11mm ... should have checked the conversion 1st ... 11mm is smaller than 7/16" ... Stupid! Actually ordered a few odd size wrenches (11/32", 13/32", and 15/32") figuring this might be just such a rare bolt size ... and MG's might have other odd bolt sizes, so I better order the other sizes so I'm not stuck like this again. Well - you guessed it - wrenches arrived and the 15/32" is still too big. Doh!!!

Is there a special tool for this or am I missing something?

Thanks!

For my car recently I replacer the master and slave.

Both the fitting on the hose end and MC was 7/16".

Typically it is not necessary when removing the M/C to remove the line. Only the banjo fitting must come off.

On all of the old ones that were never removed before it is necessary to clean the fitting a lot. I actually put the Line (flare not) wrench on the hose fitting and gently tapped it down. Trust me it is crud on the nut.

Use the line wrench. That is the tool. Do not use open end wrenches to start the nuts. They are fragile.

Larry

I actually removed the M/C nut in place with a longer 7/16" open end wrench being very careful. Again gently Tapping the wrench on.

Larry

Larry,

What is meant by the "banjo fitting"? I saw that in another post somewhere, but didn't understand what it meant.

Actually didn't know about line wrenches either! I haven't worked on my B for years - I'm really out of touch!

Thank you very much,
John

I believe you're looking for a Whitworth spanner! :)

http://www.samstagsales.com/whitworth_table.htm
http://www.samstagsales.com/whitworth.htm
http://www3.museumofmaking.org/dbtw-wpd/bios_whitworth.htm

Sounds like it might be a 3/16W.

I assume all the cars are the same . I have owned MKI cars the last 35 years.

To disconnect the master you remove a rubber plug in the dash and you will see about a 3/4"bolt holding a banjo(shaped like a banjo) fitting to the back of the M/C as seen from the footwell with the brake line threaded into it(#31 on the Moss dwg). It is easily removed with a 3/8" socket set.

A line or flair nut wrench is sort of like a 6 point socket as opposed to a open end wrench that grips only 2 flats of the bolt it is on.

Sears sells a nice wrench set for $20 or so.

These wrenches are valuable so as to not "booger" the nuts. I use them on any tough job.

Larry

A banjo fitting resembles the body of a banjo.. It is a hydraulic fitting which uses a drilled through bolt to secure the fitting in place, and the fluid passes through the bolt itself.
A line wrench-commonly also called a tubing wrench is similar to a box end wrench, but with a small portion of the box removed to allow tubing to pass through and permit much more contact with the bolt head than a regular open end wrench. Open end wrenches only allow 180 degree contact, and they can cause damage to the workpiece when significant torque is applied, because they slip slightly out of place and round off the work piece. A tubing wrench captures the workpiece so it cannot slip when significant torque is applied.

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00942012000P?vName=Tools

Often on sale for $25

Larry

.

Derek is correct, if 7/16 is too small and 12 mm is too large, it is probably a 3/16 Whitworth wrench. For a comparison of across the flats sizes of American, British and Metric wrenches, see the chart, Wrench Size Comparison in the Other Tech Articles on my web site at: http://homepages.donobi.net/sufuelpumps/
Cheers,

Most of the fluid transfer lines are Whitworth. The fuel lines are all Whitworth.

Gary E Wrote:

I knew it! ... I.e., that there was some special wrench that I don't have. You guys are the best!

Thank you all much!

John

So is there a difference between BSP Whitworth and Whitworth threads? I thought not.

Most if not all of the hydraulic (fuel, clutch, brake) fittings are Whitworth. Easily available on Evil-bay, Moss, VB. Careful with the flex line to the slave, I split mine trying to reomove it after being in place for 35 years!

John Morrison

chris Wrote:

When I replaced my oil cooler lines I also noticed the fittings on the replacement lines require a different size wrench than the original lines.