Zerk Panel Copper Tube Size?

[brianzero]

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?

[richard5933]

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.

[ol713]

   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   

[sledhead]

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

[Jim Blackwood]

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

[brianzero]

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.

[Jim Blackwood]

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

[richard5933]

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

[luvrbus]

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
 

[brianzero]

And do you flare the brake lines to connect them? How are these connected? Compression fittings?

[luvrbus]

And do you flare the brake lines to connect them? How are these connected? Compression fittings?

Flare when needed just like the copper

[Jsrcaptain]

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.

[dtcerrato]

Silicon bronze is awesome material & double flares well too.

[Jim Blackwood]

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

[Jim Blackwood]

Where are you guys buying your silicon bronze tubing? I can't find it.

Jim