what tool do I need now?..

[BeefStew42791]

OOOk, so..my truck has found another way to annoy the crap outta me. What I need is for someone to inform me as to how to get this..(problem is circled in green obviously enough)

unclamped..preferrably in a much more efficient way then I have come up with on my own temper. anythoughts on this would be VERY much appreciated. oh and btw the truck is a 93 4.0 4wd and the line is the A/C line coming from the condenser coils that are behind the radiator, just in case you couldn't see that with my lack of picture taking skills. Thanks muchly in advance.

 

[Explorin94]

These should work
http://www.chain-auto-tools.com/air_conditioner_tools/AMM499V.htm

 

[BeefStew42791]

k, anybody have a used set I could buy off em or even just borrow for a couple weeks?

 

[RobbieD]

The cheap plastic ones work fine, and you can get a set for under 10 bucks, at any parts store. It's called a "spring-lock coupling tool".

BTW; be sure that the AC system is empty before you open a coupling (if not, at the least, you'll need to change your drawers).

 

[BeefStew42791]

The cheap plastic ones work fine, and you can get a set for under 10 bucks, at any parts store. It's called a "spring-lock coupling tool".

BTW; be sure that the AC system is empty before you open a coupling (if not, at the least, you'll need to change your drawers).

oh really? wow, k thanks a lot. I should be able to handle that. Hopefully NAPA will have some monday.

and yes haha, its empty...really empty

 

[BeefStew42791]

allllrighty, I got one. Its like this one, only its from napa, for $13.80: http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00994197000P?vName=Tools&cName=MechanicsTools&sName=Automotive Specialty Tools&psid=SHOPZILLA01&sid=IDx20070921x00003c

Now.....






HOW DOES THE DUMB THING WORK??? I sat outside with it for about 2 hours straight testing different techniques that came to mind and nothing worked.. Heeeeelllppp pllzzz!

 

[shadetree]

I cannot open your link. The tool should have a long side that protrudes out the center. Inside the large connector in your pix there is a spring around the circumference. This spring fits over a ridge in the pipe holding it in place. The tool you are using slides up inside the large connector spreading the spring away from the ridge. The pipe is then free to slide out.

Before using the tool, the spring in the large connector gets clogged with dirt. Blow it out with compressed air, or brake cleaner, or whatever you have. Then twist the two pipes in opposite directions. This will break the pipes loose. Now insert the long side of the tool into the connector and push it in. Once it is inside with the spring spread, pull hard on the two lines. They will come apart.shady

 

[RobbieD]

Excellent description, shady, for both using the tool, and the tips to loosen the spring beforehand.

 

[BeefStew42791]

I cannot open your link.

try it now, I don't know what the heck happened to it.

But anyway, yea it does have a tapered protrusion..do I need a hammer or something to pound it underneath the spring? Yesterday I took some Liquid Wrench (its all I had) to the couplings and its sat overnight, and this morning before I gotta go out I'll put some more on..and your saying this tapered end will spread the spring out and over that lip in the hosing and it should just slide out?


THAT sounds like quick disconnect my friend, lol. Hopefully it works, thank ya muchly.

 

[Tedybear]

It's a very quick disconnect, unless the spring has boggers all over it. I've never been much for the plastic tools, I picked up the steel 4 in 1 tool for both fuel lines and the ac lines. If it still won't come free? Might want to push the tool 'in' to the connector while slowly twisting it carefully. One side of the spring might be getting bunged up and not allowing the tool's tapered end to 'lift' it from the lip.

S-

 

[shadetree]

try it now, I don't know what the heck happened to it.

But anyway, yea it does have a tapered protrusion..do I need a hammer or something to pound it underneath the spring? Yesterday I took some Liquid Wrench (its all I had) to the couplings and its sat overnight, and this morning before I gotta go out I'll put some more on..and your saying this tapered end will spread the spring out and over that lip in the hosing and it should just slide out?


THAT sounds like quick disconnect my friend, lol. Hopefully it works, thank ya muchly.

I don't really like that type tool, but hopefully it will work fine. Make sure you have selected the correct size for the pipe. And yes, you may need to gently twist the tool as you slide it in. No hammers as you don't want to damage the spring. It will go in if it is clean, and you have a little patience.

Tools for these things are different. Some have the part that slides under the spring longer than others. The longer ones are best.shady

 

[BeefStew42791]

it worked EXCELLENTLY! I think it was more of the day and a half worth of liquid wrench though, but yes it worked exactly like it was supposed to then. Thanks a bunch guys, I got all three that I needed to within a half hour.