Brass flair fitting failure

Mikey P · Mar 21, 2015

We had this off when we fixed the Cat last weekend so were fairly surprised to have it pop a leak today. it's connected to a male flair nipple on the GP Chemical pump right off the Cat.. The other end two feet away threads to the GPH meter shut off valve. That end looks like new.

Pulsation from the pump cause all them cracks?

Lee Stockwell · Mar 21, 2015

If you have a toolbox of plumbing fittings it's easy to have a hairline crack or stressed fitting get "recycled" back into the box instead of being discarded, especially if it's "pretty".

Are you sure it was a NEW fitting? (speaking from my mistakes)

dgardner · Mar 21, 2015

Brass flares can be over-tightened pretty easily.... a possibility.

hogjowl · Mar 21, 2015

I'm sure you laugh at people who clean their own carpets.

Jim Martin · Mar 21, 2015

the only time I have seen that happen is if they get over tightened....to much torque spreads the brass.......

Lee Stockwell · Mar 21, 2015

hogjowl said:
I'm sure you laugh at people who clean their own carpets.

No.
Everyone benefits from cleaning their own carpets...once.

hogjowl · Mar 21, 2015

He's benefitting from repairing his pump.

Mikey P · Mar 21, 2015

Lee Stockwell said:
If you have a toolbox of plumbing fittings it's easy to have a hairline crack or stressed fitting get "recycled" back into the box instead of being discarded, especially if it's "pretty".

Are you sure it was a NEW fitting? (speaking from my mistakes)

Yes, it's the original hose and fitting on the AT.

Possible , quite possible, my ham fisted employees are the culprit.

Lee Stockwell · Mar 21, 2015

Having basic repair skills can be very important to business survival.

In the overall scheme of things repair costs usually aren't so bad, either guaranteed or out of pocket.

Even losing cash flow may not bother you.

However, postponing work and perhaps losing my customers' future business IS a BIG DEAL.

Do that to one or two key customers once too often and years or goodwill can go down the drain.

Thus I would repair the d@^n bearing and get back to work. Period.

Desk Jockey · Mar 21, 2015

Unfortunately I've experienced it a few times too. If the guy tightening doesn't understand the risk, then it can easily happen. Especially with those smaller Woodhead flares.

Mikey P · Mar 22, 2015

I have to go to LA on Monday so Davis gets to go to the Parker store to get the hose replaced.

Ill have him practice on the other end to see what it takes force wise to create this cracks.

Lee Stockwell · Mar 22, 2015

Most better NAPA stores and Orreillys likewise do those hoses.

Mikey P · Mar 22, 2015

No way.

Our Parker shop is like family.

dealtimeman · Mar 22, 2015

Just did the same thing myself on Friday replacing all pressure hoses one of the trucks, it happens to all of us at one point or another from not paying attention and over tightening.

Ray Burnfield · Mar 22, 2015

Brass is much thinner now. Most of it comes from China.

dealtimeman · Mar 22, 2015

I am sad everytime I have to replace a piece of brass now days, as when you compare the older piece to the newer piece, most of the meat or brass is just not there.

Ralph Pastorelli · Mar 22, 2015

Clean them finger nails son...lol

Mikey P · Mar 22, 2015

he aint no desk Jockey Ralph..

Desk Jockey · Mar 22, 2015

GeneMiller · Mar 22, 2015

Have them make the new one out of stainless. Won't break against the brass.

Gene

Lee Stockwell · Mar 22, 2015

Stainless isn't always better than brass, especially for fittings that don't leak.

Just learn the difference. As noted above not all brass is equal. Neither is all stainless steel.

ronbeatty · Mar 22, 2015

I had the same fitting crack shortly after I took delivery of my AT. The hose ends do seem a little thiner.

bob vawter · Mar 23, 2015

Other than da kero heaters...There should NEVER be a flair fitting on ANY tm.....ever!

Desk Jockey · Mar 23, 2015

bob vawter said:
There should NEVER be a flair fitting on ANY tm.....ever!

I'm not certain I understand. Can you be more definitive on that bawb?

Lee Stockwell · Mar 23, 2015

Flare fitting work great, and are very dependable in most situations Bob, allowing easier swivel applications.

ps Flare flare flare not "flair"

dealtimeman · Mar 23, 2015

we have not had any repeatable failure of flare fittings but we DO NOT REUSE A BRASS FLARE FITTING ONCE IT HAS BEEN BEEN REMOVED FROM THE TRUCK TO SERVICE ANYTHING.

we just use a new brass flare fitting and actually try to use same for all brass fittings when possible, as 10-25 dollars in new brass will save many headaches down the road. pay a little now or pay a lot latter, we pay a little now.

Lee Stockwell · Mar 23, 2015

Desk Jockey · Mar 23, 2015

We reuse them.

You just have to tighten them down harder. :eekk:

GeneMiller · Mar 24, 2015

Lee Stockwell said:
Stainless isn't always better than brass, especially for fittings that don't leak.

Just learn the difference. As noted above not all brass is equal. Neither is all stainless steel.

I can only speak to the stainless that came with my current truckmount. Most have been off and reused with no problems. You have to be careful with stainless to stainless as that's the one I cracked.

Gene

Spurlington · Mar 27, 2015

Torque wrench?

Brass flair fitting failure

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