Spring Lock Disconnect Tool for Ford AC

[Jeeper]

Is there any advantage to using the "caged" spring lock connectors for Ford AC lines vs the more basic Lisle type white plastic ones?


This:

Vs this:

 

[ciscoford23]

From my experience they tend to work slightly better and if for some reason you have some pressure left in the system they'll keep the line from popping completely off.

 

[FigureItOut]

I've used several styles for Ford gas lines, and I think they're the same. The type like the Lisle you pictured are the only ones I keep around, everything else I've tried ends up having clearance issues. Again speaking only of gas lines, the Lisle type are plenty easy to use and any advantage to other ones is minimal IMO. Disregard if I'm mistaken about the similarity between the gas and AC lines.

 

[SoDoodoo]

I've worked on Ford AC lines before and have tried those white plastic ones. They do not work at all for them. The "caged" style ones are made for them; They're more sturdy and can actually push the spring inside of the lines back, so you can actually remove them.

I spent probably more time than i actually should have disconnecting them and got frustrated that the white ones did not work. Walked over to Napa to buy the "caged" ones and got them disconnected in the first couple of tries.

 

[houdni]

amateur das why...

 

[Jeeper]

I've worked on Ford AC lines before and have tried those white plastic ones. They do not work at all for them. The "caged" style ones are made for them; They're more sturdy and can actually push the spring inside of the lines back, so you can actually remove them.

I spent probably more time than i actually should have disconnecting them and got frustrated that the white ones did not work. Walked over to Napa to buy the "caged" ones and got them disconnected in the first couple of tries.

Anyone have this experience? I have used the white ones on fuel sping lock disconnects with success but haven't done AC lines with them.

At the end of the day, its still the same action that causes the spring outward and the joint to separate.

 

[texasprd]

Definitely the caged style. As said above, they will keep the AC line from popping off completely if there is some residual pressure as well as somewhat containing the spray - and they give you something more to grab when you're working right up against the firewall.

Note that Dodge also uses springlocks on some vehicles

 

[Corndoggeh]

Anyone have this experience? I have used the white ones on fuel sping lock disconnects but with success but haven't done AC lines with them.

At the end of the day, its still the same action that causes the spring outward and the joint to separate.

Get either caged or those open ended ones from autozone or HF, the plastic ones mush too easily and if there is any grit in the disconnect area you will only get more angry with it. My father and I, two guys over 6 4" with my dad an HVAC tech for industrial and residential, couldn't get them out with the plastic ones and the metal ones took us about 30 minutes reefing on the connections to pull them out.

 

[bdelmar2]

I have both kinds, plus others, the caged ones seem to work better where you can use them, but whatever works for the situation is what I end up using.

A lot of times you can't get the cage in where it needs to be, or you need a stepped tool, or nothing seems to fit right, but the cheap white plastic ones can be used to fake most any other connector tool.

 

[Jeeper]

Just a little update. Used the white lisle ones to disconnect AC lines on a Ford F150 (2002). Worked just fine. I bet the caged ones might be a little easier because there is more structure to them but it's pretty tight up under the cowl where the disconnects are located.

Of course the trick always seems to be to push the connection together and twist before you even try to pull the connections apart.

 

[w.hansen]

Anyone use these I almost purchased these a couple of times

http://www.tooldiscounter.com/ItemD...govPQnAeYJ3yR1nibp8mlADJb67fCHp2k7BoCIYXw_wcB