SS line exploded...

[1991 318is]

SS lines and damage.

I've made and used SS lines on a lot of track cars over the years. They get dirty and are cleaned and grit builds up under the steel braid and chafes the teflon. They also get physical damage. You have to replace every season. Street cars get more exposure. If you have to have them, I think these are the best short of making Aeroquip and covering them:
http://www.buybrakes.com/techna-fit/
Get the PVC coated ones.

[///M42 sport]

the problem with SS brake lines for daily road use is that there is a possiblity that a small pebble, rock, piece of sand, or some sort of debris can get inbetween the weave of the metal and get down to the rubber insulation under the stainless steel weave. then when you keep on drive and the line flexes and moves around that pebble will start to rub away at the insulation and put a hole right in it.
there was an article on it a while back explaining why regular oem or high quality rubber brake lines are best for daily use.

I was thinking about this today since my lines are not coated. So I was gonna shrink wrap it in some plastic. But then I have another question. Does the line get hot enough from daily driving to melt the shrink wrap?
AHH shit, someone already brought this up.

[MikesJo]

How much are all 8 OEM ones?

[UNHCLL]

6 sorry... not 8.

[///M42 sport]

How much are all 8 OEM ones?

$800

[wastedincome]

$800

Are you serious???

[///M42 sport]

Are you serious???

yes it was part of the bmw "individual" package so it was very rare.

[CBi]

News Flash.

SS Lines are a "wear item"

Holy shit, Langer! : )

R3V is a fun place to lurk and have a laugh.

[Bimmerfanatik]

Holy shit, Langer! : )

R3V is a fun place to lurk and have a laugh.

A friend of yours Chris?

He's right. I find it very hard to believe that I should replace my street car's lines with plain ol' rubber because the SS lines may get a pebble stuch in them. Just seems like one of those "yeah, it could happen, but the likelihood is slim" sorta things.

I'll take my chances, and replace them when they wear.

[NC325iC]

how bout wraping them in something?

[1991 318is]

Coating.

I am not really sure what this stuff is. The shop owner bought a gallon for jack stands so they didn't scratch the paint on frame rails. We use it on tools and all kinds of stuff including stainless brake lines.

http://www.usplastic.com/catalog/pro...duct%5Fid=2363

[Scott314]

So what's the verdict? Are all SS lines supposed to be replaced every 2 years? If I'm gonna take my car to a few track days and autocrosses, should I go for SS, or would the OEM brake lines do just as well?

[UNHCLL]

Holy shit, Langer! : )

R3V is a fun place to lurk and have a laugh.

Dont lurk to much Chris.... otherwise your eyes will harden, your brain will melt, and your sense of direction in life will become skewed beyond a reasonable doubt....

Now, back under the staircase you go! : )

[nando]

mine are 3 years old with 40k.. never been a problem. but I'll probably replace them with some coated SS lines eventually.

[bimmers4life]

this worries me. i have had stainless line on my car for about 35,000 miles. kinda makes me want to replace them in the spring with rubber ones. how hard is it to change the back lines?