If you routinely assemble flared tube fittings and have no problems with "leakers" then you can skip this tip. Many experienced mechanics have the feel for tightening these flare nuts properly and do not use a torque wrench.
Many builders of homebuilts
do not have that experience
and creating reliable, leak-free connections is not an intuitive procedure.
Too loose
and the connection will leak.
Too tight
and the connection can leak and even crack the aluminum fittings. These are critical connections for fuel, brake, and oil cooler lines that we
cannot afford to have fail
on our aircraft!
The
type of aluminum tube or flex hose
used in the flare connection will determine the torque required - they are not all the same! This video will show you where to find the
source of torque values
to use and the
procedure
to tighten the nut using a torque wrench.
