Stainless Steel Brake Lines

[iltis74]

[dgbeatty]

Using the correct terminology yields more accurate results. Refer to Bentley and/or OEMEPC.COM. Help us not have to guess.
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Schau in das Buch

[Steve Marshall]

Following up - The rubber lines looked original and it was time for them to go. They came off easily and the "braided stainless steel" lines look great and will probably last the life of the van. However, very messy. If I were to do it again, I'd let the fluid drain complete and perform the work on a basically dry system.

On the rear wheel/brake cylinders I had a leaker. It was the same one I replaced exactly 5 years/15k miles ago. My plan all along was to replace both with Ate's (TRW's were in there) but I was glad to see I had a leaker. That surely was the source of the majority of my problem.

I bled the whole system and my initial test drive braking improved from 70% on first stab to 95%. I suspect I'll achieve 100% once the brake fluid from the leaker burns off the rear brake shoes.

[Wildthings]

[Abscate]

[Gizmoman]

I may be completely wrong here but if you've ever cut one of the OEM "rubber" lines (to allow a box-end wrench to loosen a stubborn flare-nut). You may notice the core of the line is braided steel wire. I don't know if it is stainless but I'd guess it is. All flexible brake lines are braided steel hydraulic hose - calling them "rubber hose" is misleading - if they were simply rubber - your brakes wouldn't stop your vehicle.

You can spend extra bucks for the "braided SS lines" (I did) but in theory, all you are getting is the OEM hose without the rubber cover. The cover probably adds some protection and is a good idea for a critical hose exposed to the elements - just sayin'.
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82 Vanagon Westy - AAZ 1.9 TD, HE200 Holset, WAIC, 27.75 dia tires, Electric power steering, 5-speed AAP w/.078 5th
Oversize spare carrier - stock location (no longer for sale).

[tencentlife]

[Zeitgeist 13]

I was trained with the understanding that a line is what you call a rope when on a boat...align that with your thinking.

English isn't for novices or fools.

[tencentlife]

[Zeitgeist 13]

I suppose the same "feels better" phenomena can be said of lots of expensive 'billet', etc. aftermarket parts replacing old worn out OE bits. It's better 'cause it's newer, but not necessarily better 'cause it's better.

The human element

[Wildthings]

Lets see hands from all the people running 30 year old SS braided brake lines.

My policy for decades has to change out the stock style hoses at around 15 years, thus I have never experienced the problems so many here associate with them. I do have SS hoses on one rig that I bought as a test. When I installed them I felt no difference in the brakes compared to the 15ish year old hoses they replaced.

[Steve Marshall]

Yeah yeah... the braided stainless probably don't add up to any performance gain at all. I attribute my renewed brake performance to replacing a leaking wheel cylinder. Or is it brake cylinder? Definition Nazi please advice?

The reason I went with the Gucci lines and OE Ate cylinders is the quality of replacement parts is so poor these days that it's common that the preemptive maintenance parts aren't as good as the part they are replacing. Especially VW stuff. People are yanking perfectly good fuel line and replacing with GoWesty fuel line kits that aren't lasting more than year. I recently restored a 72 Bay and bought a clutch cable from a reputable source to replace the original which was perfectly fine but 45 years old. The replacement cable was half the diameter and is still sitting on my shelf.

[tencentlife]