Bending tool for hard a/c line?

the Dabbler · 09-06-2001, 04:36 PM

Does anyone know if a tool exists to safely bend a hard A/C line?

I need to relocate my A/C dryer, and don't want to kink/pinch anything excessively.

Worst case, I'll just take a lineman's pliers and pad the jaws, but there must be an "approved" way to do this, right?

munkis · 09-06-2001, 06:15 PM

Never heard of one...dont think it is a good idea either, but do what you want

Jay McDade
Auto Tech--Lincoln/Mercury/Jaguar
Tri-State Meet Whore
King of Lease mods

the Dabbler · 09-06-2001, 06:28 PM

McDade --

Yes, I'm a bit nervous about doing this. But it's either that, or get a new intercooler.

Akiata · 09-06-2001, 10:16 PM

Yes there is a tool for it but depending on how hard the line is it may break. I don't know if it is copper but there are 2 types of copper that I work with. Hard and soft. The soft copper is easily bendable but the hard copper might not bend, it may crack.

I will try to find a link to the tool though. You could always go to a service shop (EPA certified) and have them move it for you.

p@

the Dabbler · 09-06-2001, 10:22 PM

Akiata --

Thanks for the info. The line doesn't look like copper (at least, it's not copper colored), but I guess it could just be coated/plated with something.

From your post, I assume you work on A/C systems?

If so, assuming it can be bent, how much of a bend can you get without too much trouble? The whole A/C dryer has to move down maybe an inch or two.

Is this doable, or should I, like you suggest, get a professional A/C tech to do it?

I may just hack up my intercooler to make it fit instead...

Akiata · 09-07-2001, 07:08 PM

I actually haven't looked at the AC in our cars much. I did look lastnight though and it is most likely aluminum or a aloy. Most likely it will be easily bendable.

You can bend them as much as the pipe will let you without putting a kink in it. Also were you planning on recovering the refrigerant or were you going to do this with it still in? I don't know where your intercooler sits and what you are planning on doing to the dryer but it would be best to recover the refrigerant, move the pipe and then recharge it.

the Dabbler · 09-07-2001, 07:16 PM

For that, it sounds like I'd need an A/C tech for sure. I was planning on just bending it without draining the system. I'll take a closer look at it tonight before I decide what to do.

Thanks!

09-06-2001, 04:36 PM	#1
the Dabbler Scooby Newbie Member#: 4540 Join Date: Feb 2001 Vehicle: MY00 2.5RS Sedan Abnormally Aspirated	Bending tool for hard a/c line? Does anyone know if a tool exists to safely bend a hard A/C line? I need to relocate my A/C dryer, and don't want to kink/pinch anything excessively. Worst case, I'll just take a lineman's pliers and pad the jaws, but there must be an "approved" way to do this, right?

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09-06-2001, 06:15 PM	#2
munkis Scooby Guru Member#: 1847 Join Date: Jul 2000 Chapter/Region: Tri-State Location: brokenmotorsports.com Vehicle: Team Broken: V6 GF www.occsubarumeet.com	Never heard of one...dont think it is a good idea either, but do what you want Jay McDade Auto Tech--Lincoln/Mercury/Jaguar Tri-State Meet Whore King of Lease mods

09-06-2001, 06:28 PM	#3
the Dabbler Scooby Newbie Member#: 4540 Join Date: Feb 2001 Vehicle: MY00 2.5RS Sedan Abnormally Aspirated	McDade -- Yes, I'm a bit nervous about doing this. But it's either that, or get a new intercooler.

09-06-2001, 10:16 PM	#4
Akiata Scooby Specialist Member#: 297 Join Date: Sep 1999 Location: Wa	Yes there is a tool for it but depending on how hard the line is it may break. I don't know if it is copper but there are 2 types of copper that I work with. Hard and soft. The soft copper is easily bendable but the hard copper might not bend, it may crack. I will try to find a link to the tool though. You could always go to a service shop (EPA certified) and have them move it for you. p@

09-06-2001, 10:22 PM	#5
the Dabbler Scooby Newbie Member#: 4540 Join Date: Feb 2001 Vehicle: MY00 2.5RS Sedan Abnormally Aspirated	Akiata -- Thanks for the info. The line doesn't look like copper (at least, it's not copper colored), but I guess it could just be coated/plated with something. From your post, I assume you work on A/C systems? If so, assuming it can be bent, how much of a bend can you get without too much trouble? The whole A/C dryer has to move down maybe an inch or two. Is this doable, or should I, like you suggest, get a professional A/C tech to do it? I may just hack up my intercooler to make it fit instead...

09-07-2001, 07:08 PM	#6
Akiata Scooby Specialist Member#: 297 Join Date: Sep 1999 Location: Wa	I actually haven't looked at the AC in our cars much. I did look lastnight though and it is most likely aluminum or a aloy. Most likely it will be easily bendable. You can bend them as much as the pipe will let you without putting a kink in it. Also were you planning on recovering the refrigerant or were you going to do this with it still in? I don't know where your intercooler sits and what you are planning on doing to the dryer but it would be best to recover the refrigerant, move the pipe and then recharge it.

09-07-2001, 07:16 PM	#7
the Dabbler Scooby Newbie Member#: 4540 Join Date: Feb 2001 Vehicle: MY00 2.5RS Sedan Abnormally Aspirated	For that, it sounds like I'd need an A/C tech for sure. I was planning on just bending it without draining the system. I'll take a closer look at it tonight before I decide what to do. Thanks!