Rebuild Harbor Freight quick connect ???

[Popster3]

I have some brass air female quick connect fittings from HF that have started leaking. It looks like a o-ring needs replacing. Can the o-ring be picked-out and a new one inserted? Any advice before I tear into it. Many thanks.

 

[Popster3]

Have you tried picking one out?

Not yet, just got fed up with it today in 20 degree weather. Will give it a look tomorrow.

 

[Jazzman442]

I stopped buying them because they don't last long.

 

[600SL]

I have found they all leak after a while and replacement of the O rings will fix it. Its worth while to have a stock of o rings on hand just to do this because a replacement part will only last as long as a new O ring. Not sure about the Harbor Freight but the Milton ones come apart by unscrewing the nose from the body.

On the other hand I am now trying an expensive alternative. I have fitted my shop with Prevost safety fittings at $24.00 each. They are guaranteed not to leak for a year. They do appear to be several steps up in quality and we have had very good luck with these over the two years I have been with my current company.

I have only had these in my garage for about 1 month so its too early to report personnel experience.

See the Prevost couplings here:
http://www.ultimategarage.com/shop/part.php?cPath=353_717&products_id=5353

 

[RossABQ]

I have some of these with matching male pieces, and I don't know that the O-ring will last. The radial fit of the male is so sloppy in the female that they **** and leak.

 

[jgorm]

Rebuild it by hucking it in the trash and buying a better fitting. I bought a bunch of the HF air fittings, and now they are all in the trash. I don't have time to constantly fix leaky air fittings.

 

[ranger302]

My entire shop is plumbed with the HF quick disconnects. All leak after a while but just replace the o-ring with a good one and you are good to go.

 

[Jere]

HF sells really cheap assorted o rings, which are useful for other fixes too.

 

[Bondo]

Rebuild it by hucking it in the trash and buying a better fitting. I bought a bunch of the HF air fittings, and now they are all in the trash. I don't have time to constantly fix leaky air fittings.

Ayuh,.... Agreed,... Some things just shouldn't be bought at Harbor Fright,....

Air quick connectors, 'n weldin' filler wire come to mind,....

 

[Popster3]

My entire shop is plumbed with the HF quick disconnects. All leak after a while but just replace the o-ring with a good one and you are good to go.

How do you go about replacing the o-ring? Thanks!!!

 

[Popster3]

I took it apart. There is no o-ring in this one, it has a washer. I will pick up a new one after this snowstorm passes.

I will clean it up, paying special attention to the "plunger" that rests against the washer. I did not have to take apart the end of the connecter with the snap ring. I could have just unscrewed the two parts in the back.

Here is a picture to help.

 

[The Cobbler]

I have had very good luck with Milton. stopped buying the el cheapo's . and yes, any I've taken apart are a washer, not o rings

 

[fluid power]

Buy good ones and forget the hassle. I bought a box of Parker male and female about 10 years ago and not one leaks. A little more expensive but i don't have time to fool with junk.

 

[zepher11]

I just bought a bunch of the Milton Hi-Flow fittings. I am tired of the HF fittings, so they are now all destined to be tossed in the bin...

 

[HMCFab9]

Toss the HF junk & replace everything with Milton.

 

[Jere]

I took it apart. There is no o-ring in this one, it has a washer. I will pick up a new one after this snowstorm passes.

I will clean it up, paying special attention to the "plunger" that rests against the washer. I did not have to take apart the end of the connecter with the snap ring. I could have just unscrewed the two parts in the back.

Here is a picture to help.

Are the ballbearings rusty or are any of the other sealing surfaces gunked up? Those could cause issue also.

I took apart an old USA made disconnect and just flipped the washer over cleaned up a few bits and added some Vaseline to get it working again. It looked just about what you have taken apart in the photo.

 

[bad_idea]

I stopped using the HF connectors after the third one broke during use and caused the hose to whip around wildly. The male connector is prone to breaking inside the female connector during use. Tool separates from hose and enough of the connector stays in the hose to cause it to whip around wildly. Working in ship repair, this means I have to walk off the ship to my gang box to get another fitting. There went 20 minutes of my life.

Long story short, one more vote for buy higher quality fittings. I also ditched brass male fittings for steel ones.