Transmission Hard Lines
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Cross-Country
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 59
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Transmission Hard Lines
Going to run hard steel lines from C6 to radiator cooler. After all these years it is part steel part rubber tubing. I have a line bender and a great Eastman double flare tool. Any tips or tricks? I would like the line out of the radiator to have a tight radius so it doesn't stick out so far but the tube bender determines that. Thought of using a 90 degree elbow and just run steel line into that. Not sure, just fishing for some good tips from anyone that has done this.
Thanks
Thanks
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 1,946
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You can run directly into your trans cooler under the radiator but you may notice, on original vehicles which are done that way, always have a "loop" or U-bend in the cooler line to avoid what Mark stated above. I have had several vehicles with the cooler lines plumbed "hard" into flare adapters into the radiator and they have all been designed this way. So, o.k. to make tight bends near the radiator but think about creating quite a bit of extra hard line that will flex and bend as the engine/trans vibrate independent of the radiator which is bolted to the front clip. I would advise you look at the original design.
Mountain Pass
Joined: Aug 2019
Posts: 187
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I just did this the other day. It is fairly easy to bend the metal lines. As people already pointed out, if you go all metal, make some tension relief for the engine movement etc. I don't use loops but am sure to make a large question mark like bend. So out of the radiator turn down toward the passenger side inner fender, then once past the engine mount, turn back toward the engine for about 4". This creates a sort of question mark shape that will absorb the movement.
I will say that after I did all of this, I tore it out and ran steel braided AN6 lines with a cooler, temp sensor, and oil filter. It was far easier, looks better, and cools great.
I will say that after I did all of this, I tore it out and ran steel braided AN6 lines with a cooler, temp sensor, and oil filter. It was far easier, looks better, and cools great.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 3,553
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They used the hard line because is was impervious to breaking with the stress. Take a 3ft line and form it to a 4" pipe at 270 degrees then take each end and and move it up and down trying to break it, remember the movement is less than a inch, You will be there forever. That's why.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 1,223
Likes: 119
They used the hard line because is was impervious to breaking with the stress. Take a 3ft line and form it to a 4" pipe at 270 degrees then take each end and and move it up and down trying to break it, remember the movement is less than a inch, You will be there forever. That's why.
Run a section of rubber hose. If they didn't have a hose from the factory they should have. Not a lot of extra work and if high quality hose is used there is piece of mind.
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