Brake air lines

solodon · July 13, 2014, 04:32:54 PM

While working on the brakes, I've noticed that I should replace some (or all) of the air lines. It's been suggested that I buy a kit, fittings, bulk line and make my own. I'm guessing that I can probably buy pre-made but I'm wondering what others have done.

Thanks, Don

Cary and Don · July 13, 2014, 04:47:44 PM

We bought the fittings we needed and bulk dot line. You can get the fittings a lot cheaper on line than at a Napa store. We used the compression fittings. There are push on fittings, but they cost more and can leak a little. We are fanatics about air leaks. We also came across some preformed three foot lengths that are molded at each for making turns. That way you can use straight fittings and still get the line to go the direction you want.

Don and Cary

eagle19952 · July 13, 2014, 06:10:07 PM

http://www.royalsupply.com/store/pc/Air-Brake-Hose-Ends-Fittings-c3656.htm

http://ph.parker.com/us/15551/en/transportation-air-brake-hose-271

Field-attachable fittings
for use with Parker 271
air brake hose. Easy to
assemble and disassemble, these
fittings meet D.O.T. standards when
used with SAE J1402 air brake hose.

solodon · July 13, 2014, 06:37:02 PM

Thanks for the information about lines and fittings. Now that I've actually disconnected them the service lines are just rubber with a metal sleeve. Really seems like it'll be easy to service. Just have to fully remove the lines so I can get measurements and replace. The locking and parking air lines seem very serviceable. Only the larger service lines will be replaced. Again thanks for the help.

Don

belfert · July 13, 2014, 07:20:20 PM

Any place that sells parts for heavy duty trucks will have the rubber hoses for air brakes already made up. They are cheap enough it isn't worth buying the tools to make your own.

luvrbus · July 13, 2014, 07:38:36 PM

Most of the older stuff you bought rubber bulk hose and a new farrell we always used the same nut and fitting that had the stiffer built into the fitting only tools needed was a razor knife and a adjustable wrench

solodon · July 14, 2014, 05:47:41 AM

Thanks, as the service lines are rubber, and the fittings have the stiffeners, I'll buy some bulk rubber hose and some new ferrels and put it back together. Thanks for the information.

Don

luvrbus · July 14, 2014, 06:13:12 AM

A little tip put a little never seez inside the nut then the hoses will not twist when you tighten the nut

bevans6 · July 14, 2014, 02:19:39 PM

I found that I could buy pre-made air lines cheaper than bulk hose and fittings, but only in one size. The other size I needed I bought the line and the fittings. I prefer the pre-made for the crimped ends but they are probably about equal. I bought fittings that had a non-swivel at one end of each hose and a swivel at the other end so that I didn't have the twisted-hose issue, I just tightened the non-swivel end first and then did the swivel end.

Brian

luvrbus · July 14, 2014, 02:43:05 PM

That was a good price Brian, I can buy 50 ft rolls of 1/2- 5 ply rubber hose for under 25 bucks

chessie4905 · July 14, 2014, 03:01:11 PM

Just buy the pre-made hoses in the length you need. They are relatively cheap and not worth the bother to make your own. Just take the old ones along to match up; pretty much standard other than length. Don't go to a truck stop though...they will be much more costly. Go to a heavy duty truck parts supplier. BTDT

bevans6 · July 14, 2014, 03:20:05 PM

Clifford, the fittings were the expensive bits, I have no idea why. I just put my old hoses on the counter and said "I want this only new"...

Just got back from the Summit Des Legends vintage car race at Mont Tremblant Quebec, we ran the Lola that I restored over the winter. One of the cars (Ferrari was the featured marque, there were Ferrari's everywhere) was an original 1963 Ferrari 250P sports prototype. Apparently it's worth over $14 million US buckaroos. Guy took it out in the rain on Sunday morning... There is something about the sound of a Ferrari V12 at a million RPM that just gets you in your sinuses, it is an amazing sound...

Brian

luvrbus · July 14, 2014, 03:23:26 PM

LOL you guys are lazy he has a ton of hoses on that bus with brass compression fitting why change to metal I personally have never saw crimp on brass fitting at a hose shop do they make those ? even the push in type are brass

eagle19952 · July 14, 2014, 06:03:34 PM

Quote from: luvrbus on July 14, 2014, 03:23:26 PM
LOL you guys are lazy he has a ton of hoses on that bus with brass compression fitting why change to metal I personally have never saw crimp on brass fitting at a hose shop do they make those ? even the push in type are brass

I can't possibly imagine a hose shop re-using your fittings...which means at the cost of ferrules plus hose I cannot see shop made hoses coming in cheaper.... when hose is 50 cent a foot...besides you get too look at your chassis longer...

unless it's crimped high pressure I make my own...then I know it's right.

PS I fixed a john Deere loader that the owner bought pre made hoses...they were skived improperly and the ID was not tapered properly which caused the hoses to peel the inside rubber inside out and fed it into every valve in the back hoe body....total mess...

chessie4905 · July 14, 2014, 06:28:19 PM

I thought we were talking about those rubber short hoses that connect to the brake chamber that are factory made with appropriate fittings, not made by some counter jockey with a roll of hose, fittings and a hose crimper. That would be insanely expensive.
Here:

http://www.nickstruckparts.com/airhose.html