Fixing dents on Steel Hydraulic Line Tubing

PM BAKER · Oct 19, 2011

I have a 1.25" OD Steel hydraulic line, suction line, going to the hydraulic pump for my Massey Ferguson 34A loader, it has two big dents on it that are restricting the tube to half the diameter each, maybe more. Is it easy to fix the dents with say a tube expander ( http://www.harborfreight.com/small-tail-pipe-expander-37352.html ) or with a piece of hardwood, or with this tube block method from the outside: (http://www.kichline.com/chuck/bikes/Framedents/default.htm ) ?

Any suggestions?

By the way, the dents are located in places where I can't cut them out and tie with a rubber hydraulic piece.

Ultradog MN · Oct 19, 2011

It really depends on where the dents are.
I had a suction line that was all dented in on one of my Fords. I found a spud at a junk yard that was the right diameter and welded it onto a chunk of rebar.
Then I used the torch and heated the tube and drove the spud into the tube. It worked good and has been on my tractor for three years that way.

showcrop · Oct 19, 2011

Don't worry about it. What you are concerned about is friction loss of pressure. Friction loss is a function of distance, and you are talking such a short distance that it won't amount to anything. The fluid will just flow a little faster past that point. Now if it were restricted so that you could hear it whistling as it went through, then you would have a little restriction.

Paul from MI · Oct 19, 2011

I have lifted dents is shotgun barrels lots of times. Make a tapered plug a few thousands smaller than the pipe and fasten it to a solid rod the next size smaller than the pipe. Drive it in until its tight at the dent, then carfully tap around the outside with a brass or lead hammer, supporting the pipe on a piece of hardwood with a suitable "U" notch in it. The plug will loosen, then drive it in a little more and repeat. No heat is needed. Good luck with it.

Anonymous-0 · Oct 19, 2011

Unless the dent is right at the end of the line, I don't think a Harbor Freight tail pipe expander will do you much good. If you could find a ball bearing or other very hard sphere of about the right size, I bet that could be pounded through the dented area to remove at least some of the dent. But you might have fitment problems getting the tube back where it needs to be, as the metal probably stretched a bit when it was dented. Hopefully it is fairly soft metal. Good luck!

LOU from WI · Oct 19, 2011

Now that's what we call A GREAT JOB!!!!!! Looks like a really decent repair. Thanks for the pix. Regards LOU.

Dell (WA) · Oct 19, 2011

BAKER.......byte the bullett, replace yer constricted metal hydraulic suction line with kustom made armored RUBBER suction line. Unsure about length? Route some lawn hose or heck ROPE for length estimate. Have the NEW HYDRAULIC suction line made a little bitt longer and strapper in. Simple, eh? ........sheesh!!!! the amazed Dell

MarkB_MI · Oct 19, 2011

Unless the dents are almost completely closing off the flow, you may be trying to fix something that isn't broken.

PJH · Oct 19, 2011

Nice job - that looks like a cutting tooth out of a roto-mill machine.

Ultradog MN · Oct 19, 2011

Thanks.
I don't know what it was for. Fairly soft steel so not a tool. In a bin with a hundred like it.
I went in to the place with my pipe in hand to find a ball bearing etc. that would do the trick.
Ambles in downtown Minneapolis. A couple of old buildings full of odd junk, steel, tons of big and small bolts, rivitts, machinery, tools. Enough to sink a battleship.
In a hard to drive to location - "you cant get there from here".
Ambles

Fixing dents on Steel Hydraulic Line Tubing

PM BAKER

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Ultradog MN

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showcrop

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Paul from MI

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Anonymous-0

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LOU from WI

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Dell (WA)

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MarkB_MI

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PJH

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Ultradog MN

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