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Bus Discussion => Bus Topics ( click here for quick start! ) => Topic started by: brianzero on December 31, 2020, 08:49:25 AM
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Hi All,
The master zerk lubrication panel is connected to several copper tubes that carries grease to its destinations, and in my case, one of them has a rupture. What size are these copper tubes, and might they be common at the hardware store?
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Can you take a caliper to get the OD of the tube? I'd bet that it's a standard size and that it uses standard sized fittings on the ends.
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Hi;
If you can remove it, take it to a Napa dealer for a "show and tell". Let them tell you what your options are.
good luck ;)
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or a easy way to find the size od of the tube is use a open end wrench and the one that fits has the size stamped on the wrench 1/4" 3/8" and so on
dave
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I used 1/4" when I did this but the stuff they sell at the box store is too thin these days. It probably won't hold up well. Instead you can use 1/4" brake line tubing which is thicker and if you want it to be easier to work and look like copper use the Ni-Copp version which also won't rust. Wish I'd thought of that.
Jim
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My best guess without a caliper would be 1/4", and brake line tube would probably work just as well as copper. As long as the ends of the tube need to be flared like a brake system, I think that solution would be best.
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I put 1/4-28 threads on one end of the tube. Now this was tricky because of the thin wall so what I did was to screw a nut on to the copper tube to swage the threads because a die just wouldn't work. With the hardware store line it wanted to collapse which meant I couldn't screw the nut on quite as far as I'd have liked. With the ni-copp I think that would not have been a problem. With steel line I'm not sure you could do it, but the die might work.
The holes in the jack that the zerk screwed out of were 1/4" and I didn't find any flare fittings to match that. On the other end it's easy, just use the NPT zerks and a flare or compression adapter fitting.
Jim
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It shouldn't be necessary to reinvent the wheel for these, as it's quite common to use remote Zerk fittings. The reason I mentioned measuring is that there obviously more than one size used.
You can also replace the copper lines with something like this:
https://locknlube.com/products/grease-fitting-relocation-kit?variant=1691361542168&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=CedCommerceGoogleShopping&gclid=CjwKCAiAirb_BRBNEiwALHlnD8_MNk-PZH5dbq6FrgtdIg4ai-O8tzRF-uoihwYP1N5XKcM2hbE37xoC4sYQAvD_BwE
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It's nothing special I replace those with brake lines from NAPA or O'Riley's brake lines will take more pressure than the copper lines
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And do you flare the brake lines to connect them? How are these connected? Compression fittings?
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And do you flare the brake lines to connect them? How are these connected? Compression fittings?
Flare when needed just like the copper
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Check out the silicon/bronze brake lines. Same size as the steel lines, but very easy to bend and flare. Made for brake pressure so should handle a little grease easily.
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Silicon bronze is awesome material & double flares well too.
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I've not used the silicon bronze but I suspect it is very much like the nickel/copper in use. May be a bit more expensive but I'm not sure.
Jim
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Where are you guys buying your silicon bronze tubing? I can't find it.
Jim
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Where are you guys buying your silicon bronze tubing? I can't find it.
Jim
When I commented on the silicon bronze it was from experience with it in industrial plumbing. I haven't seen brake lines of silicon bronze, only nickel copper fwiw
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Sorry about that, my old brain was conflating alloys. You are right, its nickel/copper not silicon/bronze. Silicon/bronze is for brazing. Mea culpa.
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They are talking about nickel/copper.
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It shouldn't be necessary to reinvent the wheel for these, as it's quite common to use remote Zerk fittings. The reason I mentioned measuring is that there obviously more than one size used.
You can also replace the copper lines with something like this:
https://locknlube.com/products/grease-fitting-relocation-kit?variant=1691361542168&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=CedCommerceGoogleShopping&gclid=CjwKCAiAirb_BRBNEiwALHlnD8_MNk-PZH5dbq6FrgtdIg4ai-O8tzRF-uoihwYP1N5XKcM2hbE37xoC4sYQAvD_BwE (https://locknlube.com/products/grease-fitting-relocation-kit?variant=1691361542168&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=CedCommerceGoogleShopping&gclid=CjwKCAiAirb_BRBNEiwALHlnD8_MNk-PZH5dbq6FrgtdIg4ai-O8tzRF-uoihwYP1N5XKcM2hbE37xoC4sYQAvD_BwE)
That sure looks easier and not too spendy either. Looks like you simply unscrew the zerk fitting and screw in a new base then attach the hose. Would be a nice to have for the few fitting that are a real reach.