techbox

Planning, design and construction of a line with components of the AN system

Once you have understood the use of steel flex systems and gained initial experience, the design of a fuel, oil or braking system is basically simple. In the following sections we would like to explain the use of steel flex systems to those who do not have any experience in this area.

The task of a steel flex system is basically the connection of two components. In our first example, it is an oil filter housing and an oil cooler.

• The first step is to look at the components that are to be connected by the steel braided line. In our example, the oil cooler connection has a metric thread size M22x1.5 and the oil filter housing has a connection with a UNF thread size 3/4".

• The second step is to determine the size of the steel braided line. As a rule, lines in sizes AN-08, AN-10 or AN-12 are used for engine oil cooling. AN-16 or even AN-20 steel braided lines can also be used in dry sump systems. In our example, a steel braided line in AN-10 is used.

• In the third step, the adapters are selected that connect the future line ends of the steel braided line to our oil cooler and the oil filter housing. Since we already know both threads (M22x1.5 and 3/4 UNF) and the cable size is already determined, the selection of the dash adapter is easy. The dash adapters in our range are listed in the dash adapter category. The first Dash Adapter can be found in the Metric Adapters category. First, the size of the steel braided line is selected. In our case the size AN-10 (7/8 JIC). The required metric thread is selected in the second dropdown. If everything is selected correctly, we get the item SE-306-10-M22x1.5. Proceed in the same way for the dash adapter to connect the UNF thread. Here the item number of the Dash Adapter is SE-920-10-08. Both dash adapters are screwed into the components.

• In the fourth step, the line ends, also known as dash fittings, are selected. In order to be able to construct as individually as possible, our dash fitting ranges have a large number of bends. In our example we use a braided steel hose with a nitrile inner lining and select the appropriate dash fittings in the dash connections category. Since oil coolers and oil filter housings are often installed in areas of the vehicle that are very difficult to access, selecting the right dash fittings is very important. In our case, we want to run the steel braided line as close as possible to the oil cooler. For this we select a dash fitting from the 200 series for the steel braided nitrile system in size AN-10 (7/8 JIC) in the 180° variant. The item number is SE-200-10-180. The fitting is initially screwed hand-tight onto the dash adapter of the oil cooler. A dash fitting from the same series in the forged 45° variant is selected on the oil filter housing. Here the item number is SE-200-10-45S. This fitting is initially screwed hand-tight onto the adapter of the oil filter housing.

• Measuring the steel braided line in the fifth step is a special task in which many different things have to be taken into account. First, the caps of the two fittings are unscrewed so that only the base body of the dash fitting remains on the dash adapter. The line is now attached to the first dash fitting on the oil cooler, for example with adhesive tape.From this point, the line is then routed to the base body of the dash fitting on the oil filter housing, taking into account the minimum radii, the distances from heat sources and other components, and the end point is marked

• In point 6, the steel braided line is cut. For this purpose, the steel braided line is removed from the vehicle and fixed on a workbench, ideally with our special vice jaws in a vice and cut with a flex at the point marked in the previous step.

• In the seventh step, both dash fittings are mounted on the steel braided line. To do this, the two base bodies of the dash fittings are separated from the dash adapters again and the ends of the cut steel flex line are pushed into the previously removed covers of the dash fittings as far as they will go. The unions with the steel braided line are then screwed onto the base body of the dash fittings. Our vice jaws and our infinitely adjustable open-end wrench are ideal for this.

• In the eighth and final step, the completed line is screwed onto the components fitted with the dash adapters and tightened.

In the previous steps we designed, manufactured and installed a steel braided line.