Theory behind not reusing Voss fittings
Thread Starter
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Mudding
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 100
Likes: 19
From: Portland, OR
Theory behind not reusing Voss fittings
To start, I know the Voss fittings used on our air lines are designated as one time use. I'm not going to dispute that, and in all likelihood I will pony up for a couple of new ones when I replace a damaged airline. (Thanks Abran & Aleth for the replacement line!)
But I've been pondering what really gets degraded when they are removed and re-inserted without removing them from the air pipe. The fitting's internal seal to the pipe would get rotated on the pipe when turning the fitting, but if in the seal is in good shape that doesn't seem like a big deal. And same for the outer o-ring seal from fitting to bore... will it not survive another compression? There are plenty of other automotive o-ring applications which can and do get re-used with no ill effects.
Furthermore, it seems like over time replacing the fittings repeatedly would reduce the lifespan of the air pipes, as the plastic gets chewed up at the location where the compression ridge digs in.
Perhaps the recommendation is out of caution and geared towards the dealer-consumer model since inopportune leaks can severely limit the function of the suspension. Seems like a competent DIYer could evaluate replacement on a case-by-case basis and be prepared to monitor and deal with any after-effects? I'm talking myself into it.
Anyway, my firsthand experience with them is limited so would be interested to hear your thoughts.
But I've been pondering what really gets degraded when they are removed and re-inserted without removing them from the air pipe. The fitting's internal seal to the pipe would get rotated on the pipe when turning the fitting, but if in the seal is in good shape that doesn't seem like a big deal. And same for the outer o-ring seal from fitting to bore... will it not survive another compression? There are plenty of other automotive o-ring applications which can and do get re-used with no ill effects.
Furthermore, it seems like over time replacing the fittings repeatedly would reduce the lifespan of the air pipes, as the plastic gets chewed up at the location where the compression ridge digs in.
Perhaps the recommendation is out of caution and geared towards the dealer-consumer model since inopportune leaks can severely limit the function of the suspension. Seems like a competent DIYer could evaluate replacement on a case-by-case basis and be prepared to monitor and deal with any after-effects? I'm talking myself into it.
Anyway, my firsthand experience with them is limited so would be interested to hear your thoughts.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 28
Likes: 0
To start, I know the Voss fittings used on our air lines are designated as one time use. I'm not going to dispute that, and in all likelihood I will pony up for a couple of new ones when I replace a damaged airline. (Thanks Abran & Aleth for the replacement line!)
But I've been pondering what really gets degraded when they are removed and re-inserted without removing them from the air pipe. The fitting's internal seal to the pipe would get rotated on the pipe when turning the fitting, but if in the seal is in good shape that doesn't seem like a big deal. And same for the outer o-ring seal from fitting to bore... will it not survive another compression? There are plenty of other automotive o-ring applications which can and do get re-used with no ill effects.
Furthermore, it seems like over time replacing the fittings repeatedly would reduce the lifespan of the air pipes, as the plastic gets chewed up at the location where the compression ridge digs in.
Perhaps the recommendation is out of caution and geared towards the dealer-consumer model since inopportune leaks can severely limit the function of the suspension. Seems like a competent DIYer could evaluate replacement on a case-by-case basis and be prepared to monitor and deal with any after-effects? I'm talking myself into it.
Anyway, my firsthand experience with them is limited so would be interested to hear your thoughts.
But I've been pondering what really gets degraded when they are removed and re-inserted without removing them from the air pipe. The fitting's internal seal to the pipe would get rotated on the pipe when turning the fitting, but if in the seal is in good shape that doesn't seem like a big deal. And same for the outer o-ring seal from fitting to bore... will it not survive another compression? There are plenty of other automotive o-ring applications which can and do get re-used with no ill effects.
Furthermore, it seems like over time replacing the fittings repeatedly would reduce the lifespan of the air pipes, as the plastic gets chewed up at the location where the compression ridge digs in.
Perhaps the recommendation is out of caution and geared towards the dealer-consumer model since inopportune leaks can severely limit the function of the suspension. Seems like a competent DIYer could evaluate replacement on a case-by-case basis and be prepared to monitor and deal with any after-effects? I'm talking myself into it.
Anyway, my firsthand experience with them is limited so would be interested to hear your thoughts.
Baja
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 6,907
Likes: 792
From: Huntington Beach CA
I was taught by an LR tech not to reuse, although admittedly on my own vehicle in the early repair days I have reused.
For me I don’t want the liability when put on someone else’s vehicle and for that same reason I don’t squak at buying new for my own vehicle(one less variable). With that said, I have just ran out of my supply to free Voss fittings from the days Arnott shipped struts with an extra set.
I imagine the outer o ring could get brittle and be the failure point.
For me I don’t want the liability when put on someone else’s vehicle and for that same reason I don’t squak at buying new for my own vehicle(one less variable). With that said, I have just ran out of my supply to free Voss fittings from the days Arnott shipped struts with an extra set.
I imagine the outer o ring could get brittle and be the failure point.
Thread Starter
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Mudding
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 100
Likes: 19
From: Portland, OR
$15-20 each plus shipping. Not expensive in absolute terms, but irritating to me for what they are. If the Voss (not LR packaged) are cheaper in bulk I'd guess someone could probably find a market selling them on ebay for $10 shipped.
Rock Crawling
Joined: Mar 2021
Posts: 256
Likes: 76
From: Seattle
Like stated earlier in the thread, they are expensive for what they are. $15 each plus shipping. They can be reused if the internal o-ring isn’t damaged; the exterior o-ring can be replaced.