I tried removing the rear brake calipers and came to a dead-end. I searched and searched but didn't see any "how-to" threads.

The issue is how to remove the flex hose. After spraying some liquid wrench where the flex hose joins the caliper, it was almost finger lose. However, using the 17mm wrench simply causes the whole flex line to twist. So it seams as if I need to first remove the flex line and then simply twist it off. Does that make sense? Going on this assumption, I started at the steel/flex hose connection since this end needs to be lose as well. As luck would have it, the 10mm steel line bolt loosened real easy (relatively speaking for 30 yr. old car) and I can sort of pull the steel line out of the flex line - though not completely. At the bracket that houses the steel/flex hose connection there is also a big metal tension clip that I removed thinking that now the flex house will simply pop out of the bracket. However, nothing seems to budge. Am I supposed to just tap the flex hose with a hammer until it loosens or is there something else? Basically, I'm stuck in getting the flex hose out of the bracket at the steel/flex hose connection.

If it helps, I can try to take some pics tomorrow.

 

Have you tried removing the caliper first? With the hose still attached, turn the caliper while holding the brake hose stationary with a wrench. Should come off. Or am I missing something? You shouldn't have to remove the hose from the hardline.

fm

 

Nope, you're not missing anything...though apparently I was. I did as you suggested and simply rotated the removed caliper. While it's not handy given the weight of it, it worked fined.

I cracked open the boot for the hand brake mechanism and it was rust galore...I got to get a pic of it.

By the way, I now have a slightly bent frame rail and possibly the floor as well. I used a good piece of wood between the jack and the frame rail, but guess the rail was much weaker than I thought.

 

I'd suggest getting a good floor jack and some heavyweight jackstands (not the cheap ones). I always jack up the rear with the floorjack under the rear pumpkin and the front using the cross member. When jacking up the front, I use a piece uf wood between the front cross member and jack. And alway make sure your really on the cross member and not the oil pan. When taking a wheel off to work on any of my vehicle, I always use jackstands.

 

The side that the clip is on is the side that will go back THROUGH the bracket to take the Flex line off the bracket.
The hose usually goes through the bracket,rests up against the 17mm and the clip is put on the other side to hold the Flex line in.
Just grab the line or whack the thing,and it will come out of the bracket.The car is 30 years old,it needs some persuasion!
NOW,if you hold the flex line and turn the caliper,the Thing about that is you can twist the Flex line,and then that will create unwanted stress on it.
If you put the flex line onto the caliper and tighten it then put the steel line onto the flex line there is NO stress.