heat shrink on SS brake lines

[SMP142]

i have heard discussions about the SS brakes lines. i have heard that if you get dirt in between the braids and the inner liner it can rub a hole through it and make them leak. and that fact they are brake lines and around dirt adn road grime all teh time its a big factor. so i was on here to see if anyone has tried using heat shrink wrap on them? mine should be here in the mail this week and i might do it anyways. i mean if anything it would help before it wouldnt right?

 

[hottscennessey]

I've heard the same thing, i think you should do it. I dont see any harm out of it. I'd do the same thing.

 

[mkIIIman089]

Hmm.. nothing I have ever heard of. Mine have been fine, although only 1 yr so far.

 

[silvergsx623]

that sounds like a good idea. may not be necessary but can't hurt to be extra safe.

 

[SMP142]

when i get them i will go get some heat shrink and do it. i'll take pictures and post in when i get them done.

 

[shaeff]

in the misc vendor section, oneandgone (grant) has SS braided clutch lines for sale, and they come with a plastic slip cover to prevent dirt from entering.

-shaeff

 

[lilpeenoiracer]

my brakes teacher told us the only way to prevent the lines from leaking, exploding or anything like that is to have factory ruber lines wraped in steel braids...he said there was a small shop here in west covina, ca does this but is pretty price i tried getting the name of the place but he couldnt remember

 

[SMP142]

so i went to napa today and the only heat shrink i can get to fit over the fittings is like 3/4" that goes down to 1/4". which would work just fine. except the price. it is sold in about 10 inch sections and cost $8 each!!! so i said F@#% that. i plan on doing the clutch line friday, so if i dont find anythign by then i guess it will go uncovered. but hope i will find somethign good for the brake lines.

 

[vdragonmpc]

so i went to napa today and the only heat shrink i can get to fit over the fittings is like 3/4" that goes down to 1/4". which would work just fine. except the price. it is sold in about 10 inch sections and cost $8 each!!! so i said F@#% that. i plan on doing the clutch line friday, so if i dont find anythign by then i guess it will go uncovered. but hope i will find somethign good for the brake lines.

Go to partsexpress.com or go to wrangler power products...

I bought loads of stuff from both vendors for installs... Hell I have a powermate 170 amp alternator still humming away that was ORIGINALLY INSTALLED IN MY 85 Supra in 1990!!!! Thats badass.

You should also check soundomain.com for the shrink. They may have it.

V

 

[drjonez]

i have heard discussions about the SS brakes lines. i have heard that if you get dirt in between the braids and the inner liner it can rub a hole through it and make them leak...

that is correct.

i put heat shrink on my custom front lines....worked well...

 

[Supra5MGTE]

I've got braided custom lines on my 4x4 and am always in the dirt, mud etc. never had a problem yet.. 2yrs later. I"ve heard of it also... but really have to wonder why DOT would approve the design if it were true.

 

[SMP142]

drjonez where did you get your shrink from? or did you have it put on while they were made? its hard to find somethign big enough to go over the fittings and still work well.....

 

[drjonez]

dunno....it was just laying around @ my lab....

 

[IJ.]

If we're talking about new unused lines maybe the spray on liquid insulation for electrical work?

If they're used I wouldn't do it as they'll already be full of fine crap.

 

[SMP142]

yeah i was thinking about some kind of spray on silcon based stuff. but i couldnt find much of anything. what is this spray your talking about? i have seen lines covered in it but dont name brand names or anyhting. could i pick it up at lowes or home depot? just trying to get a general direction to go in. since most ppl you talk to at stores dont know jack about what your looking for.

 

[Adjuster]

Spray on 'Plast i dip" it's the same stuff you can coat tools with, but in a can.

Leaves a nice rubberized type surface that would limit any dirt migration between the braid and the teflon hose inside of it.

I would think the best option is the sealant lined shrink tube. Very good seal, and it's nice and thick, so resistant to chaffing, and wear.

I was so dissapointed with my Precision brakes lines that all I did was wrap them in some slit high pressure fuel line, wrapped in electrical tape to keep it in place. This was more to keep the lines from rubbing/chaffing on the stock fittings. (Then I have it zip tied a few times to those fittings, so far, so good, but not like it should have been for the money I spent with PB IMHO.)

 

[SMP142]

where can you buy that at? i would say any home improvment store. and if it works with tools i would think sears might have it. but who knows? i will look around for some though. thanks

 

[6o4turbo]

Hmmm... My SS lines are going on tomorrow... I don't know I can be bothered to coat/cover them...

 

[suprageezer]

If I had them which I won't due to liability issues and the dangers of a popped brake hose I would cover them with some good rubber tubing, it’s easy and will last. Anything plastic just like the Teflon liner inside the SS brake lines will break after X amount of bends. Teflon is a migratory plastic which means when you apply pressure to it will cold flow. The problem with the liners is as mentioned, if a very small pebble gets stuck between the SS shield and the rubber covering the Teflon Liner; it can rub a hole in the rubber, and then the Teflon liner causing a catastrophic brake failure. Also just because it hasn’t happened to you YET, doesn’t mean it hasn’t happened to many already. Now if I was running my Supra on a track, your dang right I would have them.
Rick

 

[SMP142]

i went and got some of that "plasti dip" stuff today. i just put it on my clutch line. i took pictures and will post them when i get a chance. its already dried and it looks really good. should work great!