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Topic: Push to connect airline fitting will not disconnect (Read 6091 times) previous topic - next topic

Push to connect airline fitting will not disconnect

I installed and dad a static test on my AirForce one break system on my 2002 Jeep Wrangler and 2006 U336 Nimbus.

All was well but I cut the 5/8 brake a little short.  It did not leak but there was more tension than I would have liked.  Worried about trouble down the road.

I went to NAPA and purchased 12 inches of 5/8 brake line.  Went under the motor home to remove the old piece of line and it would not come use.  Ok probably to much tension to release.

I cut the line in two and tried to disconnect without the tension.  No work refuses to release both sides.  Problem is motorhome is stuck in my shop with no rear brakes. :-{

Any idea on why this is happening and how to recover???

HELP.

A search on airline fittings will not release does not return any solutions. :-{ 

That puts me in a bad spot this is in the huge bundle or hoses and lines that are over the transmission and very difficult to get to.


2006 Nimbus 336
Built 2005 may be one of the first coaches labeled Nimbus.
DEMCO Air-force One braking system.
Towing 2002 Jeep Wrangler Sport.
Road Master Falcon 5250 tow bar.

Re: Push to connect airline fitting will not disconnect

Reply #1 –
If you have the pushon fitting you need to push the piece on the outside of the fitting in the same way you pushed the pipe in,
when the collar is in the pipe will pull out.
Peter and Frieda Morin
1999 36ft. U320 Foretravel
Build # 5436
1998 Suzuki Sidekick Sport

Re: Push to connect airline fitting will not disconnect

Reply #2 –
All the brands, sizes and types of push-to-fit fittings work basically the same.

1.  Push the tubing into the fitting until it bottoms out - hold it there.
2.  While holding the tubing in, push in on the locking collar - hold it in.
3.  While pushing in on the locking collar, pull the tubing straight out.  If it still sticks, try twisting it slightly as you pull it out.

Note:  You can use a open end wrench that fits snugly over the tubing to push the locking collar in.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oFgLC6iTAa8
1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"Nature abhors a vacuum"

Re: Push to connect airline fitting will not disconnect

Reply #3 –
I tried all that but this was in a difficult position. 

1. The 5/8 line had a T installed from Foretravel.  I cut the line between the existing T and the three valve set.  A control valve and an ABS valve on each side.  Inserted the tee supplied with the AifForce One.  5/8" on the ends and 1/4" on the T

2.  I tried pushing on the collar on both the Airforce One Tee and the 5/8 fitting on the control valve.  Would not bulge.  Cut the line and tried again with both pieces.  That is when I posted this message.

3. While waiting for the response I unscrewed the brass 3/4" to 5/8" fitting put it in a vice and tried pressing the collar.  No Joy.  I finally put the valve in the vice where the vice held the collar.  I then grabbed the 5/8 tubing rocked it back and forth and It came loose.  :-}

4. I managed to release the Fortravel T by pressing the collar and pulling. Then I was able to separate the Airforce One T from the Fortravel T.

5. This left me with the Airforce T with 5/8" line suck on both ends.  Used to vice to compress both collars.  Really tight.  I was able to wiggle and twist the 5/8 lines and they finally came out.

6.  Inspected both the valve fitting and the Airforce One Tee looked ok. 

7. Installed the Fortravel Tee.

8. Installed the Airforce one Tee.

9. installed a longer piece of line on the open end of the Airforce one Tee.  Cut it about a half inch longer than what was there before and connected it to the control valve.

Now the 5/8" air supply line was in compression not tension.  Much better.

Built up air applied the brakes and leak tested all lines.  Wiggled things every thing held and no leaks.

Conclusion.

The line had a lot of tension which caused the push connect fittings to bight really hard and deform the brake line making it really difficult to disconnect.  I am glad I added a longer line so that will not happen again.  Also the fitting supplied by Airforce one was really difficult to disconnect. Unless I damaged that T I should be fine.  Does not seem to have any damage.

Thank you all for the reply's.  I should have stopped when I noticed how short things were and procured a longer piece of brake line.  NAPA had the line in stock. :-}

2006 Nimbus 336
Built 2005 may be one of the first coaches labeled Nimbus.
DEMCO Air-force One braking system.
Towing 2002 Jeep Wrangler Sport.
Road Master Falcon 5250 tow bar.

Re: Push to connect airline fitting will not disconnect

Reply #4 –
Quote from: tmehrkam –
loose.  :-}

Thank you all for the reply's.  I should have stopped when I noticed how short things were and procured a longer piece of brake line.  NAPA had the line in stock. :-}



Regarding cutting the too short line to release it.

I used to have a rule that I didn't do anything that couldn't be reversed after 3:00 PM.  Now of course that deadline is Noon.  But you get the idea.  Tomorrow is always another day.
1992 Foretravel Grand Villa
U225 SBID Build No. 4134
1986 Rockwood Driftwood
1968 S.I.A.T.A. Spring
1962 Studebaker Lark
1986 Honda VF700C
1983 Honda VF750C
Charlie, the Dog was broken out of jail 24 Oct 2023
N1RPN
AA1OH (H)e who must be obeyed.

Re: Push to connect airline fitting will not disconnect

Reply #5 –
Living in the Country.  Closest auto parts is 5 miles.  We do have an Oreilly "Brand New" and Napa within that distance.

When I lived in town closest auto parts less than one mile.  Probably 20 within 5 miles.  It makes a big difference.  Next auto parts maybe 20 miles. :-{

Plus I have to open and close two gates just to get out on the road.


2006 Nimbus 336
Built 2005 may be one of the first coaches labeled Nimbus.
DEMCO Air-force One braking system.
Towing 2002 Jeep Wrangler Sport.
Road Master Falcon 5250 tow bar.

Re: Push to connect airline fitting will not disconnect

Reply #6 –
Wow,

5 miles from the next auto parts store, you must be living in the wilderness.

Regards

Klaus
The world is not interested in the storms you encountered, but whether or not you brought in the ship.
Raul Armesto

2003 U 320 4020 Unit 6145

Re: Push to connect airline fitting will not disconnect

Reply #7 –
12 miles and 40 minutes for us. We live in the mountains, dirt roads until we get to town.
1993 U300 40ft GV SE
Build # 4344

Re: Push to connect airline fitting will not disconnect

Reply #8 –
2 Napa's 3 Autozone's 2 O'reilly's and 4 independents within 2 miles here.
1999 40 ft. U-320 wtfe build 5563 Chuck & Lynda's "Rollin' Inn"  2030 watts solar
prev. mh's 71 GMC 5 yrs. 73 Pace Setter 1 yr. 78 Vogue 5 yrs 81 FTX 40ft all electric 18 yrs. 1996 Monaco Signature 3 yrs.
2014 Grand Cherokee Overland
Dream as if you will live forever. Live as if you will die today.  James Dean

Re: Push to connect airline fitting will not disconnect

Reply #9 –
TME the only times that I have had problems with these type fittings was when someone uses a SAE tube in a metric fitting or metric hose in a SAE fitting, said another way tube would fit but was oversize for fitting and would not come out.  If you have 3/8 tubing and 3/8 fittings they should release.
Chris
1999 U 320 DGFE
Build Number 5523
Chris & Elka Lang
In the field, Lonoke AR
 

Re: Push to connect airline fitting will not disconnect

Reply #10 –
My problem was with 5/8 line. Lot stiffer and harder to release in the first place. There is a special tool to release these. If I was working with the larger line very often I would purchase one.
2006 Nimbus 336
Built 2005 may be one of the first coaches labeled Nimbus.
DEMCO Air-force One braking system.
Towing 2002 Jeep Wrangler Sport.
Road Master Falcon 5250 tow bar.