copper lines
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Freshman User
Joined: Apr 2007
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copper lines
Greetings, I was wondering if copper tubing is suitable for use on
transmission cooling lines, brake lines,power steering all I have ever seen is rubber hoses and steel lines. Is it that copper cannot do the job or is it a cost thing.
Was wonderin cause I gotta replace some lines on my truck and being a plumber I thought it might look cool using copper instead.
thanks
Lui
transmission cooling lines, brake lines,power steering all I have ever seen is rubber hoses and steel lines. Is it that copper cannot do the job or is it a cost thing.
Was wonderin cause I gotta replace some lines on my truck and being a plumber I thought it might look cool using copper instead.
thanks
Lui
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 700
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From: Fairbanks
unless they can stand a lot of pressure I would not use copper for power steering. While I was in the Navy we lost a power steering line on a work truck. we needed the truck and instead of waiting it took the old line to the hydrolics shop they made a 1500 psi line and it came apart when it was used next we made a 3000 psi line and it held. by the way both of these lines were leak and pressure checked prior to installation. copper should work for everything else as they are all low pressure. It would even work for the return line on the power steering.
Posting Legend
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 30,255
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They apparently don't allow copper for LP or propane on vehicles anymore because of the danger of cracking from vibration. I have heard that copper was also illegal for use on gasoline fuel lines but I have not seen any specific regulatory text on that. On the other hand Coast Guard regulations require copper fuel lines. I guess steel rusting in a marine environment is more of a hazard then copper cracking.
I would not use copper for any hydraulic line like on a PS system. Due to corrosion I would not use copper for brake lines either.
I would not use copper for any hydraulic line like on a PS system. Due to corrosion I would not use copper for brake lines either.
Postmaster
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 3,166
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From: wi
copper isnot allowed as breaklines either.they can burst from the psi. well atleast thats what a statetrooper told me years back when i had to have a car inspected
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Posting Guru
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The auto tranny lines on my 65 are copper and it has been that way for several years with no problems. Not hooked to radiator directly as I have a section of rubber hose for vibration purposes.
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Senior User
Joined: Apr 2004
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From: Raleigh, NC
Copper is too malleable for use on brake lines and fuel lines, especially considering these are critical systems. Please don't use it. Steel lines are easily bent unless you need a very sharp radius.
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2005
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I think the copper is a cool idea, but I have to agree that they probably wouldn't hold up too well and there really aren't any systems that failure would be okay. Now for an unsolicited idea.....I like the idea of personalizing your truck by using copper lines to tie into plumbing. How about using some copper tubing as a sleeve on the lines that are visible? A little polishing and a squirt of clear coat and they would look great for a long time.
Posting Guru
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From: Home, at last!
I found this
"Copper-nickel alloy C70600, an alloy of 90% copper and 10% nickel, is inherently corrosion resistant to road salt, and its use as brake tubing is increasing based on: 1) Changing life-expectancy for automotive vehicles; 2) Worldwide service-experience data on brake tubing wear; and 3) Increasing cost of corrosion-retarding coatings for steel brake tubing.
"Copper-nickel alloy C70600, an alloy of 90% copper and 10% nickel, is inherently corrosion resistant to road salt, and its use as brake tubing is increasing based on: 1) Changing life-expectancy for automotive vehicles; 2) Worldwide service-experience data on brake tubing wear; and 3) Increasing cost of corrosion-retarding coatings for steel brake tubing.
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Freshman User
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So from what I gather its ok to do the transmission lines with copper and not the others. I cant see why vibration would damage it any if you use the correct fittings (flare) and the soft copper tubing maybe grade K. copper's rated bursting pressure is extremely high but I guess for hydraulics the fittings can posses problems. As for corrosion the worst thing about copper is that it has to be isolated from contact with any other metals.
thanks alot
Lui
thanks alot
Lui
Cargo Master
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 2,070
Likes: 169
From: Central Texas
Originally Posted by Lui
So from what I gather its ok to do the transmission lines with copper and not the others. I cant see why vibration would damage it any if you use the correct fittings (flare) and the soft copper tubing maybe grade K. copper's rated bursting pressure is extremely high but I guess for hydraulics the fittings can posses problems. As for corrosion the worst thing about copper is that it has to be isolated from contact with any other metals.
thanks alot
Lui
thanks alot
Lui
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 289
Likes: 1
From: Raleigh, NC
Recently, our A&E firm has spec'd stainless over copper because of the increasing costs of copper. I saw an engineering bulletin stating copper has doubled in price in 6 months. I was also in a drum (as in the instrument) shop and the owner was complaining that he had four price increases over the past year on cymbals. So the moral of the story is you might have your pretty copper tubing swiped from under your truck!
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2003
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From: East Central Florida
ProStock and RalieghDad are Absolutely Spot on right.
Copper fatigues by brittling over time & useage and when it does fail it will fail catastrophically.
NHRA and AHRA and many other sanctioning bodies will not allow copper fuel or brake lines, and if they caught copper lines in A/T coolant circuit, they probably would not allow you to run. When (not If) copper line(s) fail you will douse the track with ATF and others will pay the price in safety or equipment. I go with A&N Grade stainless or a SAE Rated Steel tubing myself.
FBp
Copper fatigues by brittling over time & useage and when it does fail it will fail catastrophically.
NHRA and AHRA and many other sanctioning bodies will not allow copper fuel or brake lines, and if they caught copper lines in A/T coolant circuit, they probably would not allow you to run. When (not If) copper line(s) fail you will douse the track with ATF and others will pay the price in safety or equipment. I go with A&N Grade stainless or a SAE Rated Steel tubing myself.
FBp