Which brake lines
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,372
Likes: 4
From: Springfield VA
Never heard the stainless issue before?
Not sure who makes the best as I have never had a issue with basic brake lines. The 2 I got for my rear calipers I just got the cheapest set I could find and painted them to protect from rust.
Not sure who makes the best as I have never had a issue with basic brake lines. The 2 I got for my rear calipers I just got the cheapest set I could find and painted them to protect from rust.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 2,668
Likes: 43
From: Eastern US XX
I redid my 69 in stainless several years ago and was very pleased. You do need to crank the nuts a little tighter than steel, but not a big deal at all. I think you have been mislead if it discouraged you from using SS - well worth it, in my opinion!
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 15,892
Likes: 42
The problems with SS lines are well documented, do a search of the archives. Since normal TBW lines last 20-40 years under normal daily driver usage, they'll last forever with the gentle and kind ways we now treat our old Corvettes. The SS lines fix a non-existent problem in other words.
Any of the major vendors carry good quality TBW lines. Try Wilcox, they take very good care of their customers.
Any of the major vendors carry good quality TBW lines. Try Wilcox, they take very good care of their customers.
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 74
Likes: 0
From: Riverside CA
I was asking because some time ago I read a thread that someone ordered lines and they didn't fit very well so I just wanted to avoid them. I was considering powder coating or Jet Hot coating them just to be sure they look new for a long time. I plan on DRIVING this car!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 2,668
Likes: 43
From: Eastern US XX
The problems with SS lines are well documented, do a search of the archives. Since normal TBW lines last 20-40 years under normal daily driver usage, they'll last forever with the gentle and kind ways we now treat our old Corvettes. The SS lines fix a non-existent problem in other words.
Any of the major vendors carry good quality TBW lines. Try Wilcox, they take very good care of their customers.
Any of the major vendors carry good quality TBW lines. Try Wilcox, they take very good care of their customers.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,939
Likes: 199
From: Palm Bay Florida
The problems with SS lines are well documented, do a search of the archives. Since normal TBW lines last 20-40 years under normal daily driver usage, they'll last forever with the gentle and kind ways we now treat our old Corvettes. The SS lines fix a non-existent problem in other words.
Any of the major vendors carry good quality TBW lines. Try Wilcox, they take very good care of their customers.
Any of the major vendors carry good quality TBW lines. Try Wilcox, they take very good care of their customers.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 4,883
Likes: 11
From: North Easton Mass
Most if not all pre-bent replacement brake lines need to be tweaked to fit properly. Stainless is harder to bend than plain steel brake lines, but if you replace the brass blocks (not a big expense) the stainless lines should seal fine. I think the problem a lot of people run into is using the old brass blocks with new stainless lines and the new lines don't conform to the old indentations in the blocks.
I had a small leak in my SS lines after the install but tightening one of the fitings a bit fixed it and I haven't had any leaks since.
Rick B.
I had a small leak in my SS lines after the install but tightening one of the fitings a bit fixed it and I haven't had any leaks since.
Rick B.
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Intermediate
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 28
Likes: 0
Cunifer?
I am surprised that I haven't seen more mention of "Cunifer" brake lines. Expensive, and only available here: http://www.fedhillusa.com/
The sales pitch offers the advantage of durability and easy bending. I actually just bought a bunch to do my truck that has very difficult access. I bought it mainly for the installation advantage of being able to bend some of it as I snake it along the frame. I will report back if there is interest.
The sales pitch offers the advantage of durability and easy bending. I actually just bought a bunch to do my truck that has very difficult access. I bought it mainly for the installation advantage of being able to bend some of it as I snake it along the frame. I will report back if there is interest.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,781
Likes: 15
From: Oxford Ohio
On my truck, last september, while towing a trailer full of core blocks, leaving Cleveland, headed to SW Ohio both the front and rear steel brake lines blew. The front just before the rubber line and the rear behind the fuel tank. Both just looked like minimal surface rust. One pump the rears blew and the second pump the front blew. Left me moving down the interstate with a loaded truck and trailer and NO brakes. Truck is a 98 so 13 years old at that time. Oh forgot, trailer doesn't have it's own brakes. I have always flushed my brakelines then I sevice the trans every 60,000.
Advanced
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 76
Likes: 1
From: Robins IA
I have to agree with the stainless brake lines... Got mine through Ecklers when they were running a 20% off sale. Aside from having to do a minor bit of rebending, it went very well. Bought a new proportioning block but kept the rear brass. Didn't have any leaks in the back, but had the really tighten down on the new proportioning block. No leaks since and it is just extra piece of mind to not have to worry about the lines rusting out any more.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,274
Likes: 4,366
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi,
I put ss fuel & brake lines on my 71 thinking it was the best thing to do.
I later changed all except the 'long' lines to TBW because I found them much easier to 'finesse' and to bend and position.
I found the ss lines to be very hard and brittle.
I'll change the long lines the next time the body is off.
Regards,
Alan
I put ss fuel & brake lines on my 71 thinking it was the best thing to do.
I later changed all except the 'long' lines to TBW because I found them much easier to 'finesse' and to bend and position.
I found the ss lines to be very hard and brittle.
I'll change the long lines the next time the body is off.
Regards,
Alan
