I am in the process of replacing all three cooler lines on my 97, as well as the fittings at the transmission. How tight should the new fittings be? Do i treat them like an oil filter and hand tighten until they seat plus 1/4 turn? Or just snug it up with a ratchet?


It is not in running condition at the moment so checking for leaks that way is out. I dont know when it will be road worthy, but i would like to finish the install now so i can cross it off the ever growing list of repairs.


Also, underneath the clip in the original fittings was a thin flat piece that broke. Were they a spacer or a secondary safety measure to hold the lines in place? Whatever they were, they have been destroyed. Needed, or no?


Thanks.

 

They are in. Tightened them up snug. Getting there was less than fun, but they are in. The two large lines, atleast. The supply line had to be pulled a couple times as it refused to line up. It was not bent quite right at the fitting and needed a minor adjustment. Went right in after that. The return line was like butter. The smaller line up front is still sitting on the bench. I will save that for when the radiator goes back in.


Speaking of the radiator, i had started another post a while back about the bracket the fan shrouds clip into, asking if those brackets were universal on the plastic and aluminum radiators. I pulled a donor at the yard and it fit mine just fine, so they do appear to be universal. Either that or i just got lucky. Had to clearance a tiny section and remove an extra slot, but it fit. That bracket is held on by 4 bolts, two at each end. Atleast on the plastic and aluminum radiators. Not sure about the copper and brass. I test fit the radiator with that bracket in place and there is 1/16" of clearance between the inner fender and the elbow for the transmission line. Does that sound about right?

 

Good work!

The "maintenance" side of Jeeps is never as much fun as getting the kewl lights, bumpers, winches etc, but much more important.