Best Fittings?

[Pat'sTruck]

Howdy,
I'm wondering, what are the best air line fittings to use? I have compression fittings now and I was told that if they're too tight they will leak. So what's too tight? How are you supposed to know? I'm still setting up the suspension so I haven't searched for the leak yet but I'm wondering if maybe I should go a different route. So what type of fittings do you all use??
Thanks!
Pat

[dante81_98]

I have always heard that compression fittings were the best. I have a mixture of compression and push in fittings and the only ones that do not leak are the compression.

Hope that helps.

Chad

[Izzy]

Parker, SMC, Swagelock...as long as you use a DOT approved compression or PTC you should be fine.

[Pat'sTruck]

Ok thanks, I was hoping to hear that. Can I reuse the compression fittings if I replace a line or bag ect? I'm having trouble getting the small ring back on the air line. Thanks again!
Pat

[chevyman992002]

yes you can reuse a compression fitting, but you have to put in a new tube and sleeve.

[Pat'sTruck]

So I have to replace two of the three valve pieces every time I take a valve apart?? That doesn't seem very economical if I have to cary a bag of spare valve parts incase I do some road side repairs. Is this how everybody does it? Where would I even buy those parts?
Pat

[Hole-Shot]

I am using 100% DOT-approved all-brass PTC fittings that I bought from the Peterbuilt dealership/shop in the next town over. I was having a lot of problems with the Air Lift PTC fittings and the Home Depot plastic ones are only good for a quick fix. (They kept blowing out on me on the highway). Once I switched to the all brass ones, I added an extra 80 lbs. in fittings to the truck, but it was well worth it. Cost some money, but they're much easier than having to use the compression fittings - especially when making repairs on the side of the road!

In my opinion, after breaking down a dozen times on the highway (even while 700 miles away from home), save yourself some grief and get the real DOT all-brass Push-To-Connects from a big-rig store. It ended up costing me about $120 for all of the fittings (on a deep discount) but it was well worth it. I have put 5000+ miles on them, now, with no failures and no leaks. But, just in case, I keep some extra Home Depot 100 psi fittings in my toolbox at all times.

[chaddurst]

I am using all Swagelock Compression fittings. No blowouts!

[Sweet Tea Man]

i use regualr compression fittings from Lowes. get em in the plumbing section. i have had not one leak yet(well, while the truck was running):D

[Low88]

im running some PTC's that i bought from my buddy's diesel repair shop. got them at cost... only thing is that you have to cut your line perfect or else it will leak.

[Pat'sTruck]

Thanks everyone, it seems like a divided opinion on which is best. I'm gonna see if I can make best with what I have, if not, I guess I'll try something else!
Thanks for the help!
Pat

[Hole-Shot]

There's pros and cons for both.

Compression fittings are a pain, in my opinion, because you got all the little pieces to worry about and you are supposed to replace the little insert every time you pull it apart and you need to use a wrench to put the fitting back together after replacing the hose. But, they don't ever leak.

If you spend the money to get the good push-to-connect (PTC) fittings, you won't have any problems, either. They're much easier than the compression fittings especially when replacing hoses and just doing regular maintenance. You don't have to replace any of the little parts and they never break, if you get the right ones.

[Pat'sTruck]

Just found a whole bag of those compression sleeves at the home depo. I didn't realize I could buy just the parts for them. So if all goes well I'll be keeping the compression fittings. Hopefully I won't have to bust em apart very often! Thanks again...
Pat