Ruptured stainless steel brake line

[shomesomesho]

Has anyone had bad experience with Earl's SS brake lines?

Installed a set not 6 months ago. Last week I noticed a very subtle loss in braking force, then a couple days later the pedal went all the way to the floor and the car wouldn't stop! Turns out the left front SS brake line ruptured and brake fluid was leaking big time. More like it was pumping out of the brake line!

Any recommendations for other (better) brand SS brake lines?

 

[Shoaz]

Is there any evidence of rubbing on the lines? Take a look at the line on the other side as well. Maybe even look at the tire sidewall to see whether the SS braids left a mark or not.

The PBR brake kits with certain SS lines are famous for creating an opportunity for the tire to rub on the brake line. I discovered this soon after installing the 12.5" kit (which are the worst for this, I think), and have subsequently always kept my SS brake lines wrapped with nylon cable wrap.

Like this:



You can see that I actually have two layers of the stuff on there. It doesn't prevent the tire from rubbing the line, but the wear is on the nylon instead of on the line, and the nylon is very easy to replace.

Other folks have devised spring systems that always hold the line away from the tire, and some have even replumbed the hard lines so that the lines go a different direction away from the tire.

Which reminds me, I need to do that to the Pumpkin as well...

 

[DHMag]

my lines came with retainers to bolt to factory mounting points on the strut to hold the line away from any rotating mass.

 

[showedup]

Dale: who makes (and sells) the set that came with the retainers? I may be installing a set of SS lines on my car fairly soon - it'd be great to know. Thanks!

 

[Mr Anonymous]

I've never heard of anyone having any problems with Earls lines on their SHO before this.

I agree that you should first inspect for signs of rubbing. If you don't find any, I'd recommend getting on the phone to Earls and tell them what happened. At the very least they should send you a new set of lines, and if you're really concerned about their quality you could push for a refund.

If you have some pix, I think people would like to see what happened to the line.

 

[shomesomesho]

Ok, I will check for rubbing and snap some pics . . .

My guess is that rubbing probably did not contribute, but I will take a closer look. The Earl's lines have retaining springs that keep the brake lines close to the chassis away from the tire.

 

[DHMag]

Dale: who makes (and sells) the set that came with the retainers? I may be installing a set of SS lines on my car fairly soon - it'd be great to know. Thanks!

they are Earls, which is owned by Holley. i bought them from Jegs, jegs.com. P/N is 361-28B460. $90 plus shipping. at store.summitracing.com, the P/N is EAR-28B460ERL. price is the same. i believe both companies offer the same price for shipping.

 

[shomesomesho]

Ok, here's a pic. You are looking at the driver's side front brake line.

The white arrow points to the leak. You can see a thin film of brake fluid
coating the nut below the leak, where it dripped down. I had my wife pump on the brakes and
brake fluid would squirt onto the body metal in the background..see how
it's all wet?

I checked for evidence of rubbing...there was none. The retaining spring
pulls the SS brake line away from the tire. The area where the rupture
occurred is far away from the tire anyway.

I do not know how to explain this other than it just plain ruptured
in a defective spot. Thank God I discovered this in the parking lot
and not while on the freeway.

I will report this to Earl's but I do not think I will be using their
products again.

Anyone have experience with Russells or Goodridge SS brake lines?

 

[Mr Anonymous]

Wow, that's something!

Definitely talk to Earls. They actually have a really good reputation, and there are probably more SHO users with their hoses than any other brand. Like everything else it's always possible there was a minor flaw during manufacturing, and just like getting one bad meal at McDonalds or Burger King it doesn't mean you have to swear off of them.

 

[DHMag]

this is the first i have ever heard of an Earls line rupturing. did you buy them new ?

 

[shomesomesho]

yes I got them new from Jegs.

 

[NJSHO]

no problems here

 

[ManySHOs]

I have the Earl's kit on the rear and the TCE wilwood lines up front (made from Earl's line). I've had a couple scares when I've dropped the caliper while working on the car and the line basically caught the weight of the caliper. No issues though.

I've heard of people wrapping the line before. I should look into do something like that as well. My lines curve away from the caliper but that doesn't mean that they couldn't rub on something. I had older TCE lines at one point that were a lot longer than the new ones. The passenger side actually did rub on my rim for a few miles. It only damaged the braid. I wrapped it in tape and it was ok until I replaced it with new lines.

I'll have to get some tubing to wrap my lines in now. I've also heard of using electrical tape but I don't like using that stuff for wrapping things as it's a pain to remove.

Ian