Ball Joint Pipe Assembly Instructions

AMERICAN Ductile Iron Flex-Lok Boltless Ball Joint Pipe Assembly Instructions

Field assembly of 4"-24" AMERICAN Flex-Lok Boltless Ball Joint Pipe is fast and simple. The following procedure is recommended:

1. Remove the steel straps holding the gland on the ball. Thoroughly clean ball and gasket recess in the socket.

2. Insert the special Flex-Lok gasket into the gasket recess with small section of gasket facing outward.

3. Coat entire ball and the exposed surface of the gasket completely with the AMERICAN Joint Lubricant for underwater installation which is furnished with the pipe. This coating will provide ample lubrication for assembly and joint flexing, and this special lubricant is insoluble in water.

4. Position the pipe in approximately straight alignment to facilitate assembly. Position the leading edge of the ball into the socket and push or pull pipe together using methods similar to those shown on the Fastite Joint Assembly page.

5. Position the locking gland and rotate to interlock with matching lugs on the pipe bell.

6. Insert the steel locking wedge into the space between two lugs with threaded stud through one of the drilled holes in the gland (two holes are provided 180° apart, but only one locking wedge is required per joint). Secure wedge by tightening nut on threaded stud. This wedge securely locks the gland in place.

7. Disassembly of the joint may be accomplished by essentially following the assembly instructions in reverse order.

CAUTION: Do not use solvents in cleaning ball and gasket recess.

If required, an additional quantity of lubricant can be supplied or a lubricant can be prepared in the field by mixing one gallon of melted paraffin and one-half gallon of linseed oil. Do not use other lubricants as they may be injurious to the gasket or impart taste or odor to the conveyed water.

Field assembly of 30"-60" AMERICAN Flex-Lok Boltless Ball Joint Pipe is fast and simple. The following procedure is recommended:

1. Remove the steel strap, U-bolt and eye-bolt holding the retaining ring and let it hang freely on the shank of the ball. Thoroughly clean the outside of the ball and the socket recesses inside the bell. Do not remove protective coating from ball or bell.

2. Insert the special Flex-Lok gasket into the gasket recess with small section of gasket facing outward.

3. Coat entire ball and the exposed surface of the gasket completely with the AMERICAN Joint Lubricant for underwater installation which is furnished with the pipe. This coating will provide ample lubrication for assembly and joint flexing, and this special lubricant is insoluble in water.

4. Position the pipes in approximately straight alignment to facilitate assembly. Position the leading edge of the ball into the socket. Pull pipe together using a device such as a roller-chain pull-lift, which can be furnished by AMERICAN if desired.

5. Orient the loose retaining ring so the gap is at the top. Insert retaining ring into recess inside bell. Check to ensure ring is in the socket recess all the way around the joint.

6. Insert the assembly clip in the space between the ring ends and push or caulk into position. The spring end of the clip must be oriented inward toward the ball as shown on the Flex-Lok Ball Joint page and in Photo 6 above.

Disassembly
Disassembly can be easily accomplished with a reversal of these instructions. Any pulled or extended joints must, of course, be first pulled or pushed back together to allow removal of the assembly clip and the retaining ring. Also, a small drill and tapped hole is provided in the face of the loose retaining ring approximately 180° from the assembly clip (normally at the bottom). A bolt can be threaded into this hole if disassembly is needed. This is often helpful in lifting the retaining ring out of engagement in the socket.

CAUTION: Do not use solvents in cleaning ball and gasket recess.

If required, an additional quantity of lubricant can be supplied or, in some cases, emergency lubricant can be prepared in the field by mixing one gallon of melted paraffin and one-half gallon of linseed oil. Do not use other lubricants as they may be injurious to the gasket or impart taste or odor to the conveyed water.

Approximately 2" of relative separating movement or "joint take-up" will occur in each joint if the joint is extended or "pulled" (before locking members metal-bind to prevent further movement).