Comsumer Alert: How to tell if Stainless Steel Brake Lines are DOT legal or not.

[SkiFree]

Quick way to tell if Stainless Steel Brake Lines are DOT approved is if they have the clear plastic sheath and the black end piece (has D.O.T. stamped on it). Lines that are not DOT APPROVED will have NO black end pieces.

Picture of black plastic DOT piece (you can kind of see where it says D.O.T. at the top)


Picture of NON-DOT approved lines (no black end cover)



You'll find that some seller's will try to say something like "Made to meet 'stringent' DOT standards", this should be a Big Red Flag. It needs to say 'DOT Approved'.
Ireland Engineering, UUC, and BLUNT all currently use the same Made-in-the-USA source.
EDIT: Guten Parts, Turner, Rogue, BMP, BW, Stoptech, are also all reputable sellers.


If you find someone selling a complete kit for under $90-$110 (for the 6-line E30 kit) then chances are near %100 that it is either the cheap/faulty china lines, or simply not DOT approved. Keep in mind that Non-DOT lines do NOT necessarily mean made-in-china, there are nice none-DOT lines made by the same US manufacturers as the DOT lines, only way to be sure is to simply ask for the 'country of origin'.

The vast majority of Stainless Steel brake line failures can be attributed to either poor-quality lines or installer error.

[BergerNJ]

Quick way to tell if Stainless Steel Brake Lines are DOT approved is if they have the clear plastic sheath and the black end piece (has D.O.T. stamped on it), the NONE DOT APPROVED lines will have NO black end piece.

QFT

:bow:


Also you should mention any errors one will make when installing them since a noob like me hasn't read on up on the install of steel lines since I figure its just direct replacement...

[lambo]

I will definitely keep this in mind when I order some...

[Nsquared97]

I am going to bump this since I am now in need of new front brake lines, and figured I would upgrade to SS lines. Anybody know the best place to get a set? Ireland has the best deal I have found thus far:

http://www.iemotorsport.com/bmw/E30-brakes/e30sshosedot.html

I just wish I could get the fronts only instead of the whole set.

[ZM Blue Devil]

there are also DOT lines which have DOT print on the lines with the serial number. These ensure they are DOT approved and line tested. In the even if anything fails the source can be traced.
These are the types of lines we have made by Rogue Engineering in the USA. Same with the clutch lines.

[Zasz]

There's a ton of places that sell these, DOT approved. Blunt, BMA, Turner, etc...

They are an easy replacement, and only offer a slight improvement over squishy aging ones as far as performance, but I'm confident that they'll last longer. One thing I've also noticed is my "Brake Fluid" light coming on after installing the new lines when I'm really putting my foot down.

And don't listen to anyone who tells you to remove your rear subframe to access the ones that are tucked away, just jack your car up pretty high, put it on stands, and get under there with an open end wrench. It'll be just like bleeding brakes.

[SkiFree]

There are the exceptions that are pointed out with the serial numbered hose, I should have listed those as well (sorry Levent).

Yes there are a lot of reputable places that sell DOT lines, my concern is for the many not-so reputable sellers. For example.... http://www.ebay.com/itm/Stainless-St...sories&vxp=mtr

Another new-guy thing that worth noting on installation, use a Flare Nut Wrench to loosen/tighten the connections. It's pretty frustrating to put a normal wrench on there, strip the hardlines, and have to bend up a new line.

[seatown88]

Another new-guy thing that worth noting on installation, use a Flare Nut Wrench to loosen/tighten the connections. It's pretty frustrating to put a normal wrench on there, strip the hardlines, and have to bend up a new line.

It is very frustrating when you make this mistake...did it once on my mustang and never again will I use a combination wrench on a brake or clutch line

[Grand525]

How about Goodridge from BavAuto?

[davem]

I have some of those $75 shipped ones from BMA which are supposedly DOT approved. Pretty sure they have those plastic covers.

[Grand525]

The one from BavAuto doesn't have those rubber sleeve, just small yellow tag.

[EtaSport]

Do not buy from Apex brakes either guys. Bought a set of "DOT approved lines" (with DOT stamping) from them a few years ago (keep in mind this company is a known name in racing) and 2 lines failed after 15 minutes on track. PFC 06 pads installed on all stock e30 hardware and motul 600 fluid. The fittings got so hot in the calipers that the inner hose pulled right out of the fitting. The first one went on track at speed ~80mph. Fortunately I had enough pedal to slow it down.

[E30Dan07]

How about Goodridge from BavAuto?

I bought some from Bavauto, and they don't have black sleeves, but rather yellow.

More importantly, the ones on Bavauto's site DON'T FIT. I bought them for an 89 325i with stock calipers, and the fittings are too big for the connecting points on the calipers.

[eLKuRLy]

I've got these, fronts only.
Guess I should throw them away?

[TimeMachinE30]

TechnaFit via FCPEuro

https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw-brake-line-hose-set-e30-stainless-steel-bmw-925

Did the same brand kit on the E38. Everything went smooth, have not crashed yet.