Need some input here. Trying to make picture B with Picture A. From my Colorado. Trying to add an AN fitting (aluminum) to my truck stock steel power steering line. I have countersunk the AN line so the steel line goes in about 1/4-inch. What's the best way to do this? High heat JB weld? Or should I solder with a propane torch and solder? Is that even possible?
Picture A:
Picture B:
Compression fitting? What OD is the tube?
Magic, or a compression fitting. I am pretty sure welding aluminum to steel is aerospace tech.
Brazing? Solder won't stick to steel. Maybe an adhesive of some sort?
Flare the tube itself.
In reply to EvanB :
Compression fittings (2 of them) blew right off.
Can you get the fitting in steel?
Man, I can't think of any good way to do this.
Machine both so you can heat one and cool the other, use it as an interference fit? Something like Loctite 620 to help ensure it stays together? I've had Loctite 620 hold to a substantial amount of torque in a slip fit joint.
I dunno, man. I'll think on it.
Scotty Con Queso said:In reply to EvanB :
Compression fittings (2 of them) blew right off.
Yeah, a compression fitting is typically good for single digit PSI.
Have you taken the tube part to a hydraulic shop? I took some power steering stuff to my local shop and came out with compression fittings good for a few thousand psi.
Taking a step back. The tube you are trying to attach to looks a bit pitted and out of round. That is a bad situation for a compression fitting. You should be able to find a steel fitting and weld it. I'm not sure what the differences are between AN and JIC but they have the same flare angle.
The third option would be to cut and replace the roughed up tube and go with a compression fitting on the new stuff.
Yeah. I think my next stop is a hydraulic hose shop.
Scotty Con Queso said:In reply to EvanB :
Compression fittings (2 of them) blew right off.
Unless you are using P/S line made specifically for the purpose, AN lines will probably blow apart too. Need something that can handle up to 2000psi or so of cyclical loading. I'm not even certain that the aluminum fittings will be up to the task.
Might you be able to use power steering lines from some other application? I know Trailblazers use the same type of fitting, I think some Ford F150s do too.
I saw this on Driveway Engineer earlier. Did you use a compression fitting that uses a ferrule? I have done fuel and PS lines with AN fittings that have brass ferrules. If that doesn't work I'd look at brazing.
The fittings rated for >>1k psi are double-ferrule and come from many mfgs: Swagelok, Yor-Lok, Tylok, Hy-Lok, Let-Lok, A-Lok..... Once you fully tighten the nut, the ferrules seriously bite into the tube you will NOT get them off w/o cutting the tube.
McMaster has some for 37deg flare on their website. They might special order if you find something in a mfg's catalog, or same for a hydraulics or plumbing supplier.
Steel an fitting and tig it
Definitely steel JIC fitting and TIG it or braze it.
Mr_Asa said:Scotty Con Queso said:In reply to EvanB :
Compression fittings (2 of them) blew right off.
Yeah, a compression fitting is typically good for single digit PSI.
Suppose I should have used less generic terminology. The Ermeto fitting I linked is rated for much higher pressure than a power steering line.
This is the style compression fitting I used. The first one just blew right off. I couldn't get it right even after wrenching the crap out of it. I had another one and put my impact on it and sheared the aluminum. It was still loose.
You have the wrong size fitting for the tube. Take it to a hose shop with the specs and they will make something work for you.
Ok. I called a local hydraulic hose shop. They are going to weld on a JIC (steel flavored) onto the hard line. They are also going to make me a high pressure line. All for $60.
In reply to Scotty Con Queso :
Wow. That is way way awesome!
In reply to Scotty Con Queso :
The very best plan... don't want to skimp there! And great price. Solves a lot.
In the end, I got what I wanted. Kudos to who made me realize my nylon braided hose was rated to 600 psi when a factor of safety of 1. The new hose is rated to 3000 psi. That'll do, pig.
I love me some custom hoses.
Most of the swaps I've done get that treatment. If an OE hose works, awesome. If not, make the factory hose end into an adapter to JIC. JIC all the things!
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