Does anyone have any good advice on the best way to seal the threads on the connections for the fuel and brake systems. I realize that the factory didnt use teflon tape, so what did they use, and what is the best way for me to do it? TIA. Brandon
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Re: Sealing threads: gas & brake lines
Brandon,
I usually use a small dab of grease on the threads before putting together the fitting. Then I tighten the nut using a flare/line wrench to minimize the chance of stripping the hex. Be careful not to tighten too tight or you may end up twisting the line.
TonyTony -
Re: Sealing threads: gas & brake lines
Brandon,
I usually use a small dab of grease on the threads before putting together the fitting. Then I tighten the nut using a flare/line wrench to minimize the chance of stripping the hex. Be careful not to tighten too tight or you may end up twisting the line.
TonyTonyComment
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Re: Sealing threads: gas & brake lines
Don't use any sealant on brake lines - they seal at the flare, not at the fitting threads. Same with fuel lines, if they have flare fittings - if they're tapered pipe threads (like at the fuel pump inlet), use a little teflon thread paste on the first three or four threads, but be careful not to let any get in the hole in the fitting. Teflon tape is not a great idea, as it tends to shred and find its way into filters.
JohnComment
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Re: Sealing threads: gas & brake lines
Don't use any sealant on brake lines - they seal at the flare, not at the fitting threads. Same with fuel lines, if they have flare fittings - if they're tapered pipe threads (like at the fuel pump inlet), use a little teflon thread paste on the first three or four threads, but be careful not to let any get in the hole in the fitting. Teflon tape is not a great idea, as it tends to shred and find its way into filters.
JohnComment
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Re: Sealing threads: gas & brake lines
John and Tony both give good advice; let me add that the mating surfaces of the flared tube (female ?) and male matching surface of a rear caliper, or brass brake junction block, or upstream end of a brake flexible hose must be ABSOLUTELY free of dirt or scratches/nicks. Although the male threaded brake fitting serves only to compress (apply sealing force to) the flare surfaces, I also use a little grease on the threads only, to make subsequent removal easier.
Even the brake flexible to front caliper uses the copper washer to seal, not the threads or the tapered male end of the hose. Don't use grease on these threads, though.
One other point; I've heard (never used them myself) that the flared end of stainless steel brake lines are more difficult to seal than regular carbon steel because stainless is a harder material, and therefore more difficult to yield to obtain the seal at the mating surface.Comment
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Re: Sealing threads: gas & brake lines
John and Tony both give good advice; let me add that the mating surfaces of the flared tube (female ?) and male matching surface of a rear caliper, or brass brake junction block, or upstream end of a brake flexible hose must be ABSOLUTELY free of dirt or scratches/nicks. Although the male threaded brake fitting serves only to compress (apply sealing force to) the flare surfaces, I also use a little grease on the threads only, to make subsequent removal easier.
Even the brake flexible to front caliper uses the copper washer to seal, not the threads or the tapered male end of the hose. Don't use grease on these threads, though.
One other point; I've heard (never used them myself) that the flared end of stainless steel brake lines are more difficult to seal than regular carbon steel because stainless is a harder material, and therefore more difficult to yield to obtain the seal at the mating surface.Comment
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Re: Sealing threads: gas & brake lines
Locktite has a line sealant. small tube at AutoZone or Advanced auto, comes out white, make sure to cut a VERY small tip off. jcComment
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Re: Sealing threads: gas & brake lines
Locktite has a line sealant. small tube at AutoZone or Advanced auto, comes out white, make sure to cut a VERY small tip off. jcComment
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Re: Sealing threads: Brake lines- No sealant!!
Brandon-Some of the advice on sealing fluid lines is valid but as far as brake lines go i never would put any sealant on a brake line.You a dealing with very high pressure and the seal comes at the point of contact metal to metal on either the double flare or the soft copper washer area.The threads should have no sealing property.A little lube on the thread may be ok but a good set of fittings should seal even without lube.You could get a false seal unless you get the proper metal to metal fit.As far as gas lines the pressure is not even close to the brake system and a good quality teflon paste sparingly used would'nt be a bad or unsafe method.In an emergency stopping situation the sealant on the brake lines could fail and you only get one shot sometimes when you need to brake quickly.There's only one way to do brakes and thats correctly!Best Regards.Lou LaphamComment
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Re: Sealing threads: Brake lines- No sealant!!
Brandon-Some of the advice on sealing fluid lines is valid but as far as brake lines go i never would put any sealant on a brake line.You a dealing with very high pressure and the seal comes at the point of contact metal to metal on either the double flare or the soft copper washer area.The threads should have no sealing property.A little lube on the thread may be ok but a good set of fittings should seal even without lube.You could get a false seal unless you get the proper metal to metal fit.As far as gas lines the pressure is not even close to the brake system and a good quality teflon paste sparingly used would'nt be a bad or unsafe method.In an emergency stopping situation the sealant on the brake lines could fail and you only get one shot sometimes when you need to brake quickly.There's only one way to do brakes and thats correctly!Best Regards.Lou LaphamComment
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