A different perspective on Stainless Steel Braided Brake Lines

[Keith Lawyer]

I'll throw this into the fray, but it's not Audi tech per se.

I've given up on stainless lines.  I've personally only had one failure, but it was enough for me.  This is an extended brake line for a truck app, sold by Pro-Comp and made by Earl's.  Just to the right of the tag you can see the blowout quite clearly:
http://www.superford.org/registry/vehicles/showmedia.php?id=88511&original=1

This line was approx 3-4 years old, but the vehicle in question is not used as a daily driver and sees maybe 5000 miles per year.   The line was not chafing or touching anything while in use.  I later found a friend in MN who had the same experience w this same line, so perhaps it's an issue isolated to Earl's.

Fortunately the failure occurred while I was not moving, but had it happened on the highway in the 6000lb vehicle in which it used to reside, things coulda been scary if not fatal.

If you've ever removed a truck axle and forgot to remove the brake lines, you've likely seen the entire weight of an axle hang by the lines.  I have, on vehicles that are 15-20 years old.  Under the same conditions I've seen stainless pull apart at the fittings.

Now, NO, brake lines are not meant to be limiting straps.  But to me it illustrates the increased strength of an OEM rubber line.  Couple this w the fact that there are thousands (actually I'd guess millions) of vehicles on the road today made in the 80's and even late 70's on OEM rubber lines, and I think we can see they are quite reliable.  No, I'm not advocating using 20 or 30 year old lines, but we cannot deny that it occurs daily.

Now here I'm speaking more of truck apps, and also looking to practicality, reliability and low cost.  Yes, different manufacturers may assemble or crimp their stainless lines differently, but in the end you might wind up with a line no stronger than OEM and considerably more expensive (at least for US apps, I've admittedly never priced OEM Audi rubber lines).  If you want improved pedal feel on a track car stainless may very well be an excellent choice, but for a daily driver where reliablity is key and time for maintenance is limited, I see nothing wrong w rubber. 

I've changed the subject line to hopefully minimize hijacking of the original poster's thread.

Flame away.

Keith L

>>> <SuffolkD at aol.com> 03/11/05 11:00AM >>>

There has been some mention that NON-DOT stainless lines either have crimp 
failures or fial at a higher rate for various reasons.  
Someone mentions dirt and braided lines don't treat the inner brake line 
well.  Chaffing, etc.
AFAIK: Its recommended to replace the line every 3 or so years.
I did document a stainless line letting go at Watkins Glen in the "best" 
area, the end of turn 1.
The photos are here, scroll down.
http://www.quattro123.com/MPTSNeqWatkinsGlenAug2003.htm 
I suspect this was a crimp failure.  Hard to see or notice during any tech 
lookover.
-Scott by BOSTON

In a message dated 3/10/2005 2:27:38 PM Eastern Standard Time, 
charlie at istari.com writes:
> The BIRA guys have had luck with www.paragonperformance.com after
> having some kind of trouble with ECS.
> 
> I used the lines from Blau to fit system 6 (996tt calipers) and they are 
> holding
> up nicely so far after 3+ years.
> 
> Charlie