SS Brake Lines causing ABS/AHS/TC Problems

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Oct 21, 2010 | 05:45 PM

COL Dave L

Thread Starter

Instructor

Joined: Sep 2004

Posts: 114

Likes: 2

From: Roanoke VA

SS Brake Lines causing ABS/AHS/TC Problems

While aT VIR last weekend with my 2010 GS, I got DIC notices to service ABS, Traction Control and Active Handling systems and I could not turn on the Competitive Driving mode.

Dealer diagnosis, covered by a service bulletin, is that my Russell stainless steel brake lines are causing speed sensor faults. Fix is supposedly to install OEM brake lines. I had seven track days on the GS, with the SS lines, before experiencing this fault. I also had about 40 track days on my 2006 Z51, which had SS lines, and never had this problem.

Any and all help with this will be appreciated.

Oct 21, 2010 | 06:01 PM

timd38

Race Director

Joined: Aug 2005

Posts: 13,592

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From: Hudson WI

NCM Sinkhole Donor

I guess I don't understand GM's logic.

Oct 21, 2010 | 08:51 PM

NYC6

Team Owner

Joined: Nov 2006

Posts: 21,136

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From: Long Island New York

I've read that once or twice here. Something about the steel affecting the signal somehow. Its obviously not a common thing. Maybe someone whos had the issue can help you.

Oct 21, 2010 | 09:14 PM

timd38

Race Director

Joined: Aug 2005

Posts: 13,592

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From: Hudson WI

NCM Sinkhole Donor

I have metal lines and no issues.

Oct 23, 2010 | 09:58 AM

mfquinn

Pro

Joined: Aug 2007

Posts: 562

Likes: 2

From: Jacksonville FL

I saw this a few days ago after I installed my new SS lines and I thought to myself "I don't have any problems". So today I start the car and I get "brake fluid low AH TC blah blah blah". Checked fluid level and it is fine. So, is there a fix? I don't want to take the lines off

HELP

Oct 23, 2010 | 11:23 AM

oldmansan

Safety Car

Joined: Sep 2007

Posts: 4,359

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From: Los Alamitos California

St. Jude Donor '09

Stainless lines on all four corners here for over a year with absolutely no issues.

San

Oct 23, 2010 | 01:41 PM

TMyers

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Joined: Apr 2005

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From: Everett Wa

Brake line probably has nothing to do with it. Check out the article.

http://www.brakeandfrontend.com/Arti...eplacing_.aspx

Oct 23, 2010 | 02:14 PM

m R g S r

Pro

Joined: Aug 2010

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Quote:

Originally Posted by TMyers

Brake line probably has nothing to do with it. Check out the article.

http://www.brakeandfrontend.com/Arti...eplacing_.aspx

that article states that the sensor failure was from corrosion...highly doubt that is the case on a 2010. the car was just built not that long ago....

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Oct 23, 2010 | 02:30 PM

TMyers

Race Director

Joined: Apr 2005

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From: Everett Wa

Quote:

Originally Posted by m R g S r

that article states that the sensor failure was from corrosion...highly doubt that is the case on a 2010. the car was just built not that long ago....

It can also fail because of foreign debris. The OP has done 7 track days and this will put alot of stress on the system. Adding SS brake lines will not change the way the system operates.

Oct 23, 2010 | 04:19 PM

#10

Bill Dearborn

Tech Contributor

Joined: Oct 1999

Posts: 41,058

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From: Charlotte, NC (formerly Endicott, NY)

If the brake line has continuity from where it attaches to the caliper to where it is clipped to the chassis you have a ground problem. You are not supposed to have a ground path through the brake line. The stock lines don't have continuity and most stainless lines don't either. If I remember correctly the Russell lines caused the same issues on C5s and were to be avoided. I had Earl's brake lines on my C5 and the connector that attached to the caliper had a ground break in it. On one side of the connector it was grounded to the caliper but on the side connected to the stainless hose there was no continuity to the caliper.

Bill

Oct 23, 2010 | 04:27 PM

#11

Bill Dearborn

Tech Contributor

Joined: Oct 1999

Posts: 41,058

Likes: 9,820

From: Charlotte, NC (formerly Endicott, NY)

Quote:

Originally Posted by m R g S r

that article states that the sensor failure was from corrosion...highly doubt that is the case on a 2010. the car was just built not that long ago....

Actually that article is a little confused about the sensors. I have an 03 Tahoe that had the corrosion problem. It started when the traction control started activating in heavy traffic moving at slow speeds on dry roads. For others without traction control it showed up as ABS issues. The sensors in the trucks are like the ones in the early C4s. The bearing has a ring on the hub but the sensor plugs into the wheel bearing housing. Since the housing is cast iron on the trucks there is a fair amount of corrosion build up especially on trucks driven on wet/slushy/snowy salty roads. I have to take my truck in every couple of years to get the sensors cleaned.

Bill

Oct 23, 2010 | 07:31 PM

#12

glenB

Safety Car

Joined: Jan 2004

Posts: 4,974

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From: Pinellas Park Fl

St. Jude Donor '08-'09 & '12, '14

I hate having to do **** twice when I am already there. Using an ounce of prevention when installing my SS lines, I wrapped them in black cloth automotive electrical tape and then covered it with black wire loom and taped the ends down.

Does it work, don't know, but I haven't had a problem either.

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