I am planning on replacing the hydralic portion of the brake system on my 57. I am getting different opinions on the use of stainless steel brake lines vs. the standard steel lines. As is always the case, experience is the best teacher. I would appreciate hearing your opinions on the brake lines, or anything else I should know about (concerning the brakes).
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Re: C1 Brake Lines
I would stick to the standard steel line. With good care they should outlive most of us on the forum.Special care installing SS lines is needed to have a leak free
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Re: C1 Brake Lines
Mike------
While I'm a BIG fan of stainless steel ANYTHING, for brake lines I prefer regular TBW lines. The primary reason is "conformability" of the flared ends. As Donald alluded to, the stainless steel lines lack this "conformabilty" which can result in system leaks. If it were not for that, I would definitely go with stainless.In Appreciation of John HinckleyComment
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Re: C1 Brake Lines
Here's another vote for the original type lines. SS is just too hard to make leak-free.Comment
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Re: C1 Brake Lines
Also if you plan to replace the rubber lines (all there) it hard to find NOS ones with out the ribs , So by the new one that have ribs which replaced the non-ribs and just sand the ribs off , now you have the original looking hoses.
That's what many sellers do then call them original at twice the price.Comment
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Re: C1 Brake Lines
I put SS lines on the 63 and three of the connections leaked. Stailess Steel Brake Corp said to tighten the fittings past what you think you should. No more leaks. Heard the angle of the threads are different, if true I stand befuddled as to why the difference in threads. Too bad. No more SS lines for me. Used tbw steel lines on the 61 and 57 to avoid problems with leaks.Comment
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Re: C1 Brake Lines
Joe-----
The "angle of the threads" has absolutely nothing to do with the problem. First of all, these are tubing nut threads and are standard regardless of material. Second, many preformed tubing pieces made of stainless steel actually use standard steel tubing nuts, anyway. Third, but MOST important, brake lines and fuel lines DO NOT SEAL AT THE THREADS. They seal at the interface of the tubing seat and the double flared tubing end. The tubing nut serves only to apply pressure to the flared tubing end and hold it fast against the tubing seat.
By tightening the fittings "past what you think you should", you overcome some of the "conformability" problem associated with the increased hardness of stainless steel tubing. At least, you overcome it PROVIDING that the increased torque applied to the tubing nut does not strip out the threads of either the nut or, more likely, the cast iron material into which the female threads are cut. If that happens, tightening the tubing nut "past what you think you should" can pose new challenges.In Appreciation of John HinckleyComment
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