ELBOW, RUBBER

552 174 10 ELBOW, RUBBER is usually found connecting sections of air or water lines on the rig, particularly where you need a bit of flex or a change in direction without hard piping. Think about the air supply going to your DTH hammer, or the water feed for dust suppression – these systems often have movement, vibration, or just need to route around other components. This elbow’s job is to handle that bend, absorb some of the machine’s inherent shake, and keep the flow moving smoothly without cracking under pressure or fatiguing like a rigid pipe would.

When one of these rubber elbows starts to go, you usually don’t get a catastrophic failure right away. What you’ll often see first is a slow, steady leak – maybe a drip of water, or a hiss of air you can feel with your hand. On air systems, that hiss means you’re losing pressure, which can translate directly into less effective flushing or even a drop in DTH hammer performance. If it’s on a water line, you’ll get puddles, and potentially a drop in dust suppression effectiveness, which is a big deal for safety and wear on other components. Sometimes, if it’s really old and brittle, it might just crack open completely, especially if it takes a knock or the pressure spikes.

Replacing this isn't usually a big job, but don't just yank the old one off and slap a new one on. Always check the clamps – they're often the real culprits behind leaks, either overtightened and cutting into the rubber, or loose and not sealing properly. Make sure the mating pipes or fittings aren't corroded or damaged where the new elbow will seal. A little bit of silicone grease on the inside of the new elbow can help it slide on easier and prevent tearing during installation, but don't go overboard. And always double-check your connections for leaks after you're done, especially under pressure.