ARB air line parts/repair/hardware

[woytovich]

I'm looking for options regarding ARB air lines. Is there a non-ARB ($) option in the same size for the hose? For the ferrules? For a splice?

Have folks replaced the entire blue line with something else (more stout, more easily repaired?)

Thanks

 

[yzftaco]

I have 1/4" Hose on mine , but I'm not using the hardware that came with the kit....

I sourced my own hardware that fit the tube I was using.... Some from hardware store, some from work...

Ohh I'm also using pneumatic switches, not the ARB switches that came with the lockers..

 

[bigndn]

I'm looking for options regarding ARB air lines. Is there a non-ARB ($) option in the same size for the hose? For the ferrules? For a splice?

Have folks replaced the entire blue line with something else (more stout, more easily repaired?)

Thanks

I almost went with the stainless steel lines, but decided against it after Kurt at CruiserOutfitters made a very good point. The blue line is designed to fail before tearing out your fitting on the differential. I think I'd rather trail fix the blue line than have to limp back w/o my lockers. Also, some fuel line over the blue line will offer some protection from heat and rubbing.

 

[bsevans]

I went to Granberry Hose here in Tucson and had Steel Braided hose with a tough cover made up with the fitting on one end. I then ran the hose from the fitting on the axle to the pump and marked where it should be cut and the other fitting installed. I used two Earl 90 degree NPT to AN fittings to convert the solenoid valves on the ARB pump.

 

[2mbb]

mcmaster carr has all sorts of fittings and plastic tubing. I think the ARB stuff is 5mm OD. Try page 161 for the metric "instant tube fittings". I purchased a few of the unions so if my blue line breaks, I can make a field repair. mcmaster carr would also have a tubing substitute. I don't know what the arb blue tube is made from. Nylon is used quite often for pneumatic lines.

I used the ARB blue line, but I threaded it inside of a larger diameter PVC (tygon) tube. The PVC tubing provides some additional abrasion resistance.

 

[Poser]

Service and Emergency air line systems on heavy/over the road trucks use Nylon tubing....

 

[woytovich]

According the the specs on the flexy 5mm black Nylon tube at McMaster-Carr it is NOT rated for diesel fuel or synthetic oil... seems odd, and probably makes it not applicable for ARB line as gear oil does get up into the lines... odd.
Mark

 

[Poser]

According the the specs on the flexy 5mm black Nylon tube at McMaster-Carr it is NOT rated for diesel fuel or synthetic oil... seems odd, and probably makes it not applicable for ARB line as gear oil does get up into the lines... odd.
Mark

Not on units that have been installed properly.....

 

[1973Guppie]

I use that black mmasster line and pneumatic switches for years and it has worked great, the black line is thicker and more durable as well.

 

[matt.mcinnes]

Swapped mine to 6mm push fit and changed the fittings in the diff's to take a push fit. Easy to repair and replace, went this way for ease of repairs at competition. No silly olives and fitting.

Small amount of drilling/machine involved to the 6mm push fit fittings for the diff's but well worth it.

Can supply pics if need be.

 

[woytovich]

Not on units that have been installed properly.....

So what would make oil get into the lines? Overfilled diffs? Getting the truck up at severe angles? Is there supposed to be ANY path for gear oil to get into the air circuit?
Mark

 

[Ian Rogers]

So what would make oil get into the lines? Overfilled diffs? Getting the truck up at severe angles? Is there supposed to be ANY path for gear oil to get into the air circuit?
Mark

leaking o rings on the air supply. Most likely the older style set up, ARB changed to a semi floating o ring. The new design has a better chance of getting sealed with a less than perfect install.

 

[Poser]

So what would make oil get into the lines?

A plugged axle breather will allow the pressure built up inside the axle housing to force gear oil past the o-rings on the seal housing. This is more common that many folks think, since it really does not take much to plug a stock breather, and once it has forced gear oil into the air circuit on the locker, it will continue to draw oil in. The earlier design seal housing on the ARB units was retained by three machine screws to the backlash adjuster nut on the differential housing. There were many instances of this housing not being installed concentric to the carrier, because installers were over-tightening the three little 4mm Allen head fasteners, creating a situation where gear oil would leak past the o-rings in the seal housing, causing the locker to pump gear oil. Another situation was that installers were damaging the o-rings in the seal housing during assembly.

These scenarios can be avoided by simply leak-testing the assembled unit while on the workbench and verifying that there are not any leaks in the air system. If you do not leak air, you will not pump oil. (again, as long as your axle breather is not plugged)

ARB has since, (2005, iirc) changed the style of seal housing and seals used, and made it into a floating design and uses square cut seal rings with a larger cross section. This system seems easier to install and less likely to be damaged or leak during assembly.

Overfilled diffs? Getting the truck up at severe angles?

Overfilling the diff could possibly have an effect, but you would have to FILL the axle housing, leaving no room for the expansion of the gear oil when it reaches operating temperature in order to create this scenario, and I do not know how you could do that filling the axle from under the truck. Severe angles will not have an effect on this.

Is there supposed to be ANY path for gear oil to get into the air circuit?

No. It is a sealed system. The air used to pressurize the locker exhausts back through the tube at the solenoid valve when released; it does not empty into or pressurize the axle housing.