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Stainless Steel Lines or not? #1022262
06/28/11 09:41 PM
06/28/11 09:41 PM
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 387
Montreal PQ, Canada
74_360_Cuda Offline OP
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74_360_Cuda  Offline OP
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Montreal PQ, Canada
Is it true that stainless steel lines (Brakes & Fuel) are proned toleak?

There is not a significant differance inprice... what would you recomend?

Re: Stainless Steel Lines or not? [Re: 74_360_Cuda] #1022263
06/28/11 09:50 PM
06/28/11 09:50 PM
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ahy Offline
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Th stainless is harder and doesn't seat as well on compression fittings which can cause leaks. It also requires a high end flaring tool if you make modifications. I went with mild steel for my brake andf fuel lines. I knew I would be cutting and flaring and didn't want to deal with the leaks. Plus the original steel lasted well for 40 years so I'm not too worried about corrosion on a car that will not be driven in winter salt conditions.

Re: Stainless Steel Lines or not? [Re: 74_360_Cuda] #1022264
06/28/11 09:52 PM
06/28/11 09:52 PM
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Posts: 5,399
Aurora, Colorado
451Mopar Offline
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Stainless. I haven't had any issues with the stainless lines. If your fittings are messed up it may leak, but plain lines might leak also.

Re: Stainless Steel Lines or not? [Re: 451Mopar] #1022265
06/28/11 09:55 PM
06/28/11 09:55 PM
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,462
Mrytle Beach SC
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johnscudashop Offline
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with having Galvinized steel lines over stainless for the same reason

Re: Stainless Steel Lines or not? [Re: johnscudashop] #1022266
06/28/11 10:22 PM
06/28/11 10:22 PM
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Oregon
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desomod Offline
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Oregon
I have stainless and cannot stop a weep at one of the M/C fittings. Any suggestions?

Re: Stainless Steel Lines or not? [Re: 74_360_Cuda] #1022267
06/28/11 10:33 PM
06/28/11 10:33 PM
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 18,157
Mass
DAYCLONA Offline
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Mass
I prefer stainless lines, they always look good, never rust or flash rust, and if you like a little bling, they buff out super easy with just a cloth and polish before install,....I like to do the car once, that's it, you want to avoid leaks, regardless of the line, stainless or steel, use the proper tubing wrenches, and on stainless, use some liquid teflon on the treads, never had a leak, and I've done plenty of cars and trucks with stainless, not just brake, but fuel, emissions, etc, basically everyline in the car

Re: Stainless Steel Lines or not? [Re: 74_360_Cuda] #1022268
06/28/11 11:44 PM
06/28/11 11:44 PM
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Tampa Bay, Fl
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sb4evr Offline
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Tampa Bay, Fl
I won't go stainless again. It doesn't appear correct(too shiny) and the stuff can be very hard to seal as many have attested to. It isn't worth the hassle.
If you go to a salvage yard you will find many vehicles there that have very good looking brake/fuel lines on them and they have seen more weather than your car would ever see again in its life.
Save your money for something more important.

Re: Stainless Steel Lines or not? [Re: sb4evr] #1022269
06/29/11 12:07 AM
06/29/11 12:07 AM
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 387
Montreal PQ, Canada
74_360_Cuda Offline OP
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Wow, I was not expecting such a debate!

Re: Stainless Steel Lines or not? [Re: 74_360_Cuda] #1022270
06/29/11 08:07 AM
06/29/11 08:07 AM
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 28,312
Cincinnati, Ohio
Challenger 1 Offline
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Cincinnati, Ohio
Yea I don't think stainless is worth it either. Like what was said mild steel lines will last another 40 years.Ton's easier to work with also.

Tips on getting stainless to seal. Lube the fitting real well and tighten and loosen a few times, the lube will allow you to get it really tight. What PIA stainless is.

Re: Stainless Steel Lines or not? [Re: Challenger 1] #1022271
06/29/11 08:17 AM
06/29/11 08:17 AM
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VA
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AtomicDog Offline
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I experienced the same leak issue when installing a full set of pre-bent stainless steel brake lines on my '96 RAM 2500 4x4 truck. Best advise I can give is to definitely check for leaks after installing and keep tightening the fittings until all leaks are stopped. Sometimes, I tightened the fittings so much, I didn't think I could tighten them anymore, but finally did get all leaks stopped. Stainless is some hard stuff, but in the end, looks great and will be the last set of brake lines that truck will ever see!! I had rust issues with the OEM mild steel lines and didn't want to deal with that in the future again. Also, never wanted to have a metal brake line failure in a 3/4 ton truck while on the road, so I felt stainless was cheap long term insurance. Just need a good set of flare nut wrenches (and sometimes crowfoots) to install the lines properly.

Re: Stainless Steel Lines or not? [Re: AtomicDog] #1022272
06/29/11 08:22 AM
06/29/11 08:22 AM
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Posts: 217
Owosso, Michigan
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stateroadhog Offline
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Owosso, Michigan
Like the man said a little liquid teflon on threads and flare will seal it right up without having to over tighten

Re: Stainless Steel Lines or not? [Re: stateroadhog] #1022273
06/29/11 08:46 AM
06/29/11 08:46 AM
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Posts: 236
Maryland
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cudaboone Offline
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Maryland
MY 72 cuda is all stainless. Not one leak from get go.

Re: Stainless Steel Lines or not? [Re: 74_360_Cuda] #1022274
06/29/11 10:22 AM
06/29/11 10:22 AM
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Ontario.Canada
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can.al Offline
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..isn't stainless 37 degree as opposed to 45 for regular lines...they can still seal with this mismatch but not as easily.
..stainless won't look stock though.

Re: Stainless Steel Lines or not? [Re: can.al] #1022275
06/29/11 11:14 AM
06/29/11 11:14 AM
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NY usa
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540challenger Offline
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NY usa
Quote:

..isn't stainless 37 degree as opposed to 45 for regular lines...they can still seal with this mismatch but not as easily.
..stainless won't look stock though.


SS should be 45* like the mild steel. AN fittings however are made on a 37*

Re: Stainless Steel Lines or not? [Re: 74_360_Cuda] #1022276
06/29/11 11:38 AM
06/29/11 11:38 AM
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,564
St. Clair Shores, Michigan
bigsbigelow Offline
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I chose stainless pre-bent for my Duster. I had to re-tighten one fitting on the distribution block after install. I had no other issues, though.


Ryan "Bigs" '73 Duster (BLKDUST) - Black, 100% factory sheet metal, flat hood, 346 cid, J Heads, and a bench seat. http://s268.photobucket.com/albums/jj1/bigsbigelow/ Best to date: 12.40 @ 109 mph
Re: Stainless Steel Lines or not? [Re: bigsbigelow] #1022277
06/29/11 12:38 PM
06/29/11 12:38 PM
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Michigan
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crlush Offline
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Never had any problems with stainless leaking, if you make them yourself oil helps while flairing, and as long as you have a decent flairing tool you won't have any problems, the one I have cost me $40 bucks. Also they say if you use a cut off wheel instead of a tubing cutter to cut your lines it won't work harden the steel making it easier to flair.

Last edited by crlush; 06/29/11 12:43 PM.






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