2013 SS brake lines installation, help?
 

Hey FolkZ,
tl,dr; I am trying to install SS brake lines (ZSpeed) on my 2013 370z (sports package)

Problem: the 10mm nuts, connecting the stock rubber lines to the hard lines on one side and to the caliper on the other, seem to be stuck and I don't seem to be able to unbolt them off. I don't wanna pull to hard as I'm afraid to screw up something and, honestly, I'm also afraid I'm doing it wrong (even though it seems a really easy job to do).

I know these have changed from the previous years, has anyone tried to install them on a 2013? Have you experienced the same issues?

Are you using a flare nut wrench? That is highly recommended to get more surface area/grip on the nut.

I was using just a plain open wrench, quite short tbh. I can try with a flare but wrench, but my question is... do I need to keep pulling to unbolt those nuts or there's some magic trick I need to do before? Thanks tho :tup:

I switched over to SS lines on my 2013 w/Sport package about a month ago. A couple of things to note:
First, get yourself a set of flange nut wrenches. They hold better, and you're less likely to round the edges of the nuts using the flange nut wrenches compared to standard open-end wrenches. You don't want to round the edges!
Second, I found some of the nuts were tightened down pretty hard … so you'll need to apply a solid, steady amount of pull to loosen them. In one case, I had to fit a box end wrench over the flange nut wrench to get some extra length and leverage to loosen the nut. In addition to using the flange nut wrench on the flange nut, make sure that you also use an open end wrench or vise grips to hold the female part of the union on the stock brake lines to improve your leverage.
Third, remember to turn the nuts in a counter clockwise direction to loosen them. Sometimes the direction isn't always so obvious … I've ended up trying to loosen bolts/nuts without success until I realized I was pulling in the wrong direction! It happens!
Fourth, make sure the replacement SS lines are for the 2013 Z. The lines are different than those that fit the 2009-2012 Z. For some reason, Nissan decided to re-configure the line set-up for the 2013 Z.
Finally, I didn't use the SS lines from Z Speed, but rather ordered Goodridge lines from Stillen. The front SS lines from Z Speed are different from the stock lines in that they are one-piece as opposed to two-piece. I suspect that the Z Speed lines will fit, but I opted for the two-piece set-up from Goodridge in order to match the stock exactly.
Trust his helps.

You can't pull unless you unscrew the nut all the way. A crescent wrench works great too since you can close it around the nut tighter than a open wrench.

Like all the others said, get some flare nut wrenches. They wrap all the way around the nut so you don't f'em up.

This is one item I'd probably pick up from Sears or something, some metric flare nut wrenches.

The Harbor Freight ones seem to be piss poor, every single review says they snapped the 10mm, which is the one you'll be using for this. Generally, their hand tools are fine for the casual mechanic, not in this case, it would seem.

Thanks guys, I didn't know about this type of wrench. I will drop by an Autozone or something (as sears is not around where I live). Will let you know how it goes :tiphat:

Update: ok so I was able to finally get them on! Thanks for the flare nut wrenches suggestion, those did the trick actually.
Also, for whose interested in swapping the lines, another word of advice that I had from a buddy: use vacuum caps to stop the hard lines from bleeding, while doing the work, or it will get REALLY messy. :tup: