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Brake Lines - Mild Steel or Stainless-What Do You Like? #80649 06/27/08 07:43 PM 06/27/08 07:43 PM
Joined: Aug 2007 Posts: 902 Seattle, WA R rss OP super stock
rss OP super stock R Joined: Aug 2007 Posts: 902 Seattle, WA	While recently reading some old posts on brake fluid I noticed several people complain about having problems with brake fluid leaks after installing new stainless steel lines. I believe the theory was that because stainless is much harder than the standard mild steel lines that it was more difficult to get a good seal at the treaded fittings. Anyone else have this problem? What are your thoughts? Would you go stainless again or go back to the original mild steel lines?

Re: Brake Lines - Mild Steel or Stainless-What Do You Like? [Re: rss] #80650 06/27/08 07:47 PM 06/27/08 07:47 PM
Joined: Jan 2005 Posts: 4,404 Michigan MarkZ Worthy
MarkZ Worthy Joined: Jan 2005 Posts: 4,404 Michigan	For a car that never sees road salt, go mild steel. They'll last the rest the life of car. If it is a winter beater, definitely stainless. 1987 Fifth Avenue - 512/518/D60

Re: Brake Lines - Mild Steel or Stainless-What Do You Like? [Re: rss] #80651 06/27/08 07:54 PM 06/27/08 07:54 PM
A Anonymous Unregistered
Anonymous Unregistered A	I used stainless on my RR resto without a problem. I wouldn't hesitate to use them again.

Re: Brake Lines - Mild Steel or Stainless-What Do You L #80652 06/27/08 08:07 PM 06/27/08 08:07 PM
Joined: Oct 2004 Posts: 8,165 Left Coast B BobR master
BobR master B Joined: Oct 2004 Posts: 8,165 Left Coast	Quote: I used stainless on my RR resto without a problem. I wouldn't hesitate to use them again. I agree but there is a better chance of initial leak as SS just isn't as malleable as MS. If you cut and flare your own it's even tougher. Still, well worth the effort for any application. -Bob

Re: Brake Lines - Mild Steel or Stainless-What Do You Like? [Re: rss] #80653 06/27/08 08:21 PM 06/27/08 08:21 PM
Joined: Dec 2005 Posts: 1,233 Eastern North Carolina cyphre666
cyphre666 Joined: Dec 2005 Posts: 1,233 Eastern North Carolina	Go S.S. it's a once and done deal

Re: Brake Lines - Mild Steel or Stainless-What Do You Like? [Re: cyphre666] #80654 06/27/08 08:35 PM 06/27/08 08:35 PM
Joined: Nov 2004 Posts: 25,050 Texas GoodysGotaCuda 5.7L Hemi, 6spd
GoodysGotaCuda 5.7L Hemi, 6spd Joined: Nov 2004 Posts: 25,050 Texas	in-line stainless steel lines here, zero sealing problems. Fit great! 1972 Barracuda - 5.7L Hemi, T56 Magnum 6spd - https://www.facebook.com/GoodysGotaHemi 2020 RAM 1500 [img]https://i.imgur.com/v9yezP9.jpg[/img]

Re: Brake Lines - Mild Steel or Stainless-What Do You Like? [Re: GoodysGotaCuda] #80655 06/27/08 08:43 PM 06/27/08 08:43 PM
Joined: Nov 2006 Posts: 3,407 S.E. Florida, USA rrunner master
rrunner master Joined: Nov 2006 Posts: 3,407 S.E. Florida, USA	Mild steel 4 me, I do clear coat them though. All the cars I did for guys at my old shop wanted stainless and had plenty of problems with leaks and a bunch of waisted time and their money working them out.

Re: Brake Lines - Mild Steel or Stainless-What Do You Like? [Re: rrunner] #80656 06/27/08 09:09 PM 06/27/08 09:09 PM
Joined: Jan 2007 Posts: 7,664 IN A ahy master
ahy master A Joined: Jan 2007 Posts: 7,664 IN	Mild steel for me. The original steel brake lines on my car were in pretty good shape after 35 years and I'm not driving my car through salt. Mild steel is easier to flare, easier to bend and easier to seal. And less costly.

Re: Brake Lines - Mild Steel or Stainless-What Do You Like? [Re: ahy] #80657 06/27/08 09:41 PM 06/27/08 09:41 PM
Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 6,182 Bridgeport, WV M Michael master
Michael master M Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 6,182 Bridgeport, WV	Stainless here

Re: Brake Lines - Mild Steel or Stainless-What Do You Like? [Re: Michael] #80658 06/27/08 09:50 PM 06/27/08 09:50 PM
Joined: Aug 2005 Posts: 4,861 Riverside, Ca R70RUNNER master
R70RUNNER master Joined: Aug 2005 Posts: 4,861 Riverside, Ca	Stainless, I had a leak and it required a little more work on the installer part to get it right, that's me can't blame the part for my not double checking fit first. I'd use them again. Current cars: 2000 Dak Quad Cab, 2012 Challenger,1970 Road Runner, 1994 Firehawk 1966 Coronet post sedan, 1988 Corvette, 2005 Magnum RT all SOLD R70RUNNER<---VP Inland Empire Chapter of the MPM

Re: Brake Lines - Mild Steel or Stainless-What Do You L [Re: R70RUNNER] #80659 06/27/08 09:57 PM 06/27/08 09:57 PM
Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 233 Nanuet, NY 3 383BeepBeep enthusiast
383BeepBeep enthusiast 3 Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 233 Nanuet, NY	Done three cars all stainless. Only problem I had was with an adjustable prop valve. I had to cut and reflare a line. Stainless is some tuff stuff to flare. No cheap flare tool will flare it. Heads up. Other then that zero problems. BTW I used Inline Tube lines. Very good fit, and no sealing issues. Done it on a 69 Bird, 71 Scamp, and a 49 Pontiac. 1969 Plymouth Roadrunner - 383- 4 Speed - Dana 60 4:10

Re: Brake Lines - Mild Steel or Stainless-What Do You Like? [Re: rss] #80660 06/27/08 11:06 PM 06/27/08 11:06 PM
Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 328 Missouri, U.S.A. J JSSuperbee enthusiast
JSSuperbee enthusiast J Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 328 Missouri, U.S.A.	I'll never use stainless again. Too many leaks. Happened on 2 cars. From now on I'll use mild steel and clear coat them. Stainless is nothing but trouble. James Stinebaker

Re: Brake Lines - Mild Steel or Stainless-What Do You L [Re: JSSuperbee] #80661 06/28/08 01:27 AM 06/28/08 01:27 AM
Joined: Aug 2007 Posts: 902 Seattle, WA R rss OP super stock
rss OP super stock R Joined: Aug 2007 Posts: 902 Seattle, WA	Glad to see that there is a total lack of agreement on yet another old mopar issue. Almost as much disagreement as the DOT 4 vs. DOT 5 brake fluid posts I was reading last night Seems like if you purchase the pre-bent lines the cost difference for stainless is pretty much nil, especially if you consider all the hassle of trying to spray clear on the mild steel lines. The full line sets I saw were only about $20 more for stainless. Certainly not worth the hassle of buying and spraying clear in my book. Still, if all the leak horror stories are true, I might still go mild steel. I just wouldn't bother painting it. Thanks for all the input guys

Re: Brake Lines - Mild Steel or Stainless-What Do You L [Re: rss] #80662 06/28/08 12:03 PM 06/28/08 12:03 PM
Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 5,137 East Aurora (Buffalo) NY RoadRunner master
RoadRunner master Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 5,137 East Aurora (Buffalo) NY	Here, I'll add another for stainless. I did my car completely with stainless. No issues with leaks. BTW, I use DOT 5 68 Road Runner (383/4speed, post car w/decor pkg) - Major Project 69 Road Runner w/472 Hemi & 4 speed. 70 Challenger R/T SE EF8 w/ V9J, U - A32 - Major Project 2023 Ford Mach 1

Re: Brake Lines - Mild Steel or Stainless-What Do You L [Re: RoadRunner] #80663 06/28/08 01:37 PM 06/28/08 01:37 PM
Joined: Jan 2004 Posts: 2,190 SW MO closer9 top fuel
closer9 top fuel Joined: Jan 2004 Posts: 2,190 SW MO	Another for stainless. I went with prebent SS on mine, and no leak issues. rusty steel was never even considered. Clear coat won't last forever... Daily: '19 Frontier 4WD Belle: '67 Belvedere Convertible, 318/727 in Go ManGo! Other: '64 C10, 283/3 on the tree

Re: Brake Lines - Mild Steel or Stainless-What Do You L [Re: closer9] #80664 06/28/08 02:32 PM 06/28/08 02:32 PM
Joined: Oct 2004 Posts: 8,165 Left Coast B BobR master
BobR master B Joined: Oct 2004 Posts: 8,165 Left Coast	Quote: Another for stainless. I went with prebent SS on mine, and no leak issues. rusty steel was never even considered. Clear coat won't last forever... Not only won't the clear last forever it does nothing to protect the inside of the tube where rust ALWAYS develops with glycol based fluids(Dot 3,4). -Bob

Re: Brake Lines - Mild Steel or Stainless-What Do You L [Re: BobR] #80665 06/28/08 02:49 PM 06/28/08 02:49 PM
Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 28,596 Shopping @ HoBo Fright 340SIX Doc Flappergas's Evil Twin
340SIX Doc Flappergas's Evil Twin Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 28,596 Shopping @ HoBo Fright	Quote: Quote: Another for stainless. I went with prebent SS on mine, and no leak issues. rusty steel was never even considered. Clear coat won't last forever... Not only won't the clear last forever it does nothing to protect the inside of the tube where rust ALWAYS develops with glycol based fluids(Dot 3,4). -Bob I used mild steel and dot5 [img]https://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee87/fast340six/sig%20pics/2840886-340SIX-1.jpg[/img] VP of the MPM in New Orleans 73 Dart Sport 340/ 70 challenger vert. That may still get built, If I live long enough

Re: Brake Lines - Mild Steel or Stainless-What Do You L [Re: 340SIX] #80666 06/28/08 03:45 PM 06/28/08 03:45 PM
Joined: Sep 2007 Posts: 1,052 Ont, Canada gygeneral super stock
gygeneral super stock Joined: Sep 2007 Posts: 1,052 Ont, Canada	I used mild steel and dot5 Me too

Re: Brake Lines - Mild Steel or Stainless-What Do You L [Re: gygeneral] #80667 06/28/08 05:26 PM 06/28/08 05:26 PM
Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 1,489 west kentucky G gomangoRTSE pro stock
gomangoRTSE pro stock G Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 1,489 west kentucky	Step it up the ultimate level. If your car is painted underneath or I suppose even if it isnt, polish your stainless lines and it will knock the crowd out.

Re: Brake Lines - Mild Steel or Stainless-What Do You L [Re: BobR] #80668 06/29/08 01:02 AM 06/29/08 01:02 AM
Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 22,695 Bitopia J jcc If you can't dazzle em with diamonds..
jcc If you can't dazzle em with diamonds.. J Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 22,695 Bitopia	Quote: Another for stainless. I went with prebent SS on mine, and no leak issues. rusty steel was never even considered. Clear coat won't last forever... it does nothing to protect the inside of the tube where rust ALWAYS develops with glycol based fluids(Dot 3,4). -Bob That is a pretty strong statement. Would a caliper rust/up/lock way before the line would rust out? most mild steel lines are "terne" plated? and salt is the biggest hazard from the outside? I do like SS brake lines, but a nice leak proof douple inverted flare is no for the timid. Reality check, that half the population is smarter then 50% of the people and it's a constantly contested fact.

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