The spring lock coupling is a refrigerant line coupling held together by
a garter spring inside a circular cage.
When the coupling is connected together, the flared end of the female
fitting slips behind the garter spring inside the cage of the male fitting. The
garter spring and cage then prevent the flared end of the female fitting from
pulling out of the cage.
Two o-ring seals (9229)
are used to seal between the two halves of
the coupling.
These O-ring seals are green and are made of special
material. They must be replaced with an O-ring seal made
of the same material. The O-ring seals normally used in refrigerant system
connections are not the same material and should not be
used with the spring lock coupling.
Use only the green O-ring seals listed in the Ford Master Parts Catalog
for the spring lock coupling.
A plastic indicator ring is used on spring lock couplings to indicate,
during vehicle assembly, that the coupling is connected. Once the coupling is
connected, the indicator ring is no longer necessary but will remain captive by
the coupling near the cage opening.
The indicator ring may also be used during service operations to indicate
connection of the coupling.
After the coupling has been cleaned and new green O-ring seals lubricated
and installed with clean
refrigerant oil, insert the tabs of the indicator ring into the cage opening.
Connect the coupling together by pushing with a slight twisting motion.
When the coupling is connected, the indicator ring will snap out of the
cage opening but will remain captured on the refrigerant line by the coupling.
