brake lines (caution)

[Fred Munro]

To get DOT approval, the SS lines have to pass the whip test (wherein the
line is flailed about for a given number of cycles) and have the ends
crimped on.
SS lines failed the whip test because they fatigued and broke at the end
crimps, so apparently SS line manufacturers managed to get the test modified
based on the logical argument that the line is supported on the car and
doesn't normally flail about by one end. The crimps are a DOT requirement -
they don't necessarily make the best connections.
Troutman  http://germanpartsusa.com makes DOT approved SS lines.

Fred Munro
'94 S4


----- Original Message -----
From: <JanDebL at aol.com>
To: <sf5ktq at hotmail.com>; <rdeis at io.com>
Cc: <quattro at audifans.com>
Sent: Tuesday, December 11, 2001 1:31 AM
Subject: Re: brake lines (caution)


> --
> [ Picked text/plain from multipart/alternative ]
> I'm not sure what DOT actually does to approve a brake line but I would
think
> twice before installing non approved lines (like I did) on my 91 2CTQ.  I
> believe I bought mine from GPR and I had a choice of DOT or non DOT.  The
> standard warning that braided lines shouldn't be installed on street cars
> because they are designed for race which receive frequent inspections, was
> not a concern to me because like most of us, our cars receive a lot of
> attention.  My lines have been on the car for about 50-60K and last week
> while resetting my Konis for the winter, I found the RR hose was ready to
> break where it attaches to the line on the frame.  The damage is obvious
and
> I parked the car until my new OEM style line arrive.  I'm not sure this is
a
> hose problem or an Audi problem - if I remember correctly, I replaced the
> original lines because they were also cracking where they attached to the
> steel lines.  Anyone else?
> Jan Lahtonen