stainless steel brake lines

[sdstang]

So I had stainless steel brake lines on my parts list but it was suggested that I might want to reconsider because they are hard to seat and often leak. I've read several threads on other sites an it seems that with the right install technique you can make them work. Anyone have any opinions? They sure look great!

If I go with steal is there any coating that I can use to keep them looking new?

Thank for any input.

 

[Doug The Dog]

I installed S/S lines on mine. Found it almost impossible to modify the rear lines to accommodate the rear disc conversion. I switched back to the regular soft steel lines. Polished them up with 0000 steel wool. They look great, and were much easier to install. I would not recommend S/S lines.

 

[captthundarr]

A coat or two of good clear will keep them looking nice after hitting them with the 0000.

 

[wwhite72]

Swapping the rubber hoses for braided stainless flex lines is fine. I find that people ofter speak of SS lines and they are talking about hoses. There was a lengthy discussion here not long ago on the stainless hard lines and the effort needed to correctly install them. I think id rather replace the mild steel ones every 10yrs!

 

[72HCODE]

stainless is just not worth the headache. you could ruin the fittings you have then you have to search out replacements.

if i had to do my car again, i would of not used stainless.

if your looking at it from a standpoint of the brake system building up rust or the hoses looking bad; think about this all modern cars use mild steel lines, and they last forever. what kills a brake system is not bleeding it from time to time or changing out the fluid every couple of years that lets air and water into the system which is what causes problems. even if you did have massive amounts of water in the lines it would take years to really kill the system. our cars are over 40 years old now so any damage you are replacing took that long to occur.

 

[cheezsnake]

Planning to replace all the brake lines on my '71. Good thought about using clear coat to protect them. I was considering painting them with chassis black, but I assume when the cars rolled off the lot, the brake lines were not painted?

 

[midlife]

Planning to replace all the brake lines on my '71. Good thought about using clear coat to protect them. I was considering painting them with chassis black, but I assume when the cars rolled off the lot, the brake lines were not painted?

Correct. The vehicle was painted then brake lines, suspension, etc, was then installed.