Disadvantages of having air bags

[abadsvt]

In my opinion the biggest disadvantage of having air bags is the looking cool factor. I mean every where you go, you just look cool. You can't help it no matter how hard you try. It is a cursing and a blessing at the same time

Josh

[HotRodYJ]

IMO push-in fittings just seems like a short cut. Compression fittings as a bare minimum, and flared fittings just like brake lines is the way to go if you hard line it. I'm planning flares on my copper lines. 3/8" copper is rated anywhere from 570 to 1946 psi depending on what grade you get. Of course actual burst presures are higher than this. I don't see why I would expect to have any issues with this set-up at less than 100psi in the bags and no more than 150psi out of the compressor and in the tank. Still have a 4 to 1 safety factor.

A quick check on Lowes website shows they carry Type L copper tubing which has a rating of 779 psi (3/8") and Type K which has a 1130 psi rating (3/8").

[Shane]

Copper will work harden due to flexing and will break.

Not a matter of IF, just a matter of WHEN.

[HotRodYJ]

Why would it flex? My 60 gallon air compressor at home has copper line on it from compressor to tank. What's the difference? Just trying to understand now instead of latter when it's too late.

[Shane]

You compressor isn't traveling down the road encountering bumps, holes and side to side movement that a vehicle encounters on a daily basis. All of these factors cause flex within the entire vehicle's body, frame and suspension.

Steel, stainless and aluminum doesn't show the same tendencies to work harden that copper does. That's why these type of rigid lines are used in OEM automotive applications. 3/8" aluminum line can be purchased for approx. the same money as the copper and would be a much better choice, imho.

[HotRodYJ]

I don't see chassis flex being enough to work harden copper but maybe it is. I didn't realize how cheap aluminum and stainless is. Summit has a 25ft coil of aluminum for $17. Stainless is around $30 a coil. And the steel line they offer is coated to resist corrosion. Thanks for the thoughts. I may go one of these routes instead.

[Slmd92DIME]

I have had the plastic line and push style fittings on my S-10 for 3 years now. Have never had a problem with them and they are so much easier to work with. Make sure that you push the line into the fitting all the way. I will never use any fittings but the push style ones. They work great. The temperature changes drastically around here and I have no problems with them.

[PrerunnerRob]

There is a place locally by my house called royal brass, and they have all kinds of line and fitting. I'm running a rubber/steel winding/woven fabric outer hose that has comression fittings that thread on. It's about 3 bucks a foot for 3/8, and the fittings aren't cheap, and it has to be cut with a metal chop saw. I'll see if I can find some pictures of it later.
With the copper lines, be sure the line is subject to no vibration, the fatigue life of soft drawn copper is very low.