I'm repacing the wheel cylinders on a '69 Malibu with 4 wheel drum brakes. I was also going to replace the hoses while I was at it, but am having trouble breaking the rear hose loose where the hose connects to the front flare fitting. I'm using a tubing wrench, have tried wd-40 and liquid wrench with no luck. I quit when the hex of the fitting began to show signs of rounding off.

Anyone got any ideas about breaking these loose without destroying the hex?

Also, I'm having trouble with self-adjusters. Does the "arm" or "lever" of the adjuster (part that fastens to the brake shoe and backing plate) face front (the primary shoe) or to the rear (and the secondary shoe)? I realize the parts are stamped L and R but I'm having a "senior moment" here trying to remember which side of the car is considered left, the driver's side or the passenger side.

Thanks for any help in advance.

When I mentioned having to change my brake hoses, a mechanic friend of mine told me to soak the fittings in liquid wrench for days before attempting to loosen them. (I only replaced my front ones and didn't have a problem.)

I took pictures of my brakes before taking them apart, unfortunately I only have pics of the front.

Left is the Driver's side, Right is passenger. I remember it because it's always as if you're sitting in the driver seat.
Ed

Thanks Ed. Funny how it's always something like that that makes sense (and opposite from what I was sure that it was!)