Brake Lines - Stainless Steel vs Tin/Lead Plated Steel

[dougfather]

I am looking to purchase new brake lines for my 84 GP from http://www.finelinesinc.com/catalog/index.php?cPath=264. A buddy of mine just bought fuel line from these guys.

Anyway, the big question is Stainless Steel or plated steel? I know the plated steel is less prone to leak, since it is softer. Stainless steel won't corode...supposedly (I've seen so called stainless steel gas grill burners rust away in 2-3years). Anyone has experience with one or the other? This will be a weekend car and not to be driven in the winter.

 

[srercrcr]

The OEM lines must be aluminized steel, like they use on OEM exhaust systems, cause my 30 year old GP's brake lines show no sign of rust, and I bought it new.

 

[megaladon6]

well, there's a slight difference between texas and pennsylvania when it comes to rust. i've heard of people painting the lines to prevent rust.

 

[srercrcr]

We get surface rust aplenty, but they don't even have that.

 

[clean8485]

With all due respect srercrcr, I have to go along with the other guys on this one. I've lived in the northeast part of the continent all my life, and I've been a mechanic for 30 years. I've seen O.E. lines rot out and leak in less than 10 years of steady use in the climate and road conditions that exist in this neck of the woods. The climate and conditions in your area are much more favorable to the longevity of metal parts.

 

[jerrycad472]

I just put all new steel lines on mine. It will never see the snow again. All but one of the orginal lines had lasted 25 years. I did put a coat of clear paint on them, hoping that will keep them looking good longer.

 

[megaladon6]

We get surface rust aplenty, but they don't even have that.

we should have mentioned we (at least NY does) use A LOT of salt in the north. i've seen surface rust become major holes in one winter from that crap!

 

[85 Cutlass Brougham]

Yeah, I went junkyarding this winter when I went to visit friends in Binghamton, NY and could not believe how utterly destroyed some 10-15 year old cars were by road salt! Not only were these cars rusty underneath, but under the hood as well. I'm used to 30 year old cars that do not require even penetrating oil to remove original suspension bolts so I can't imagine what it is like to work on a car from up there. Down here, I expect a minimum of 300-400k miles from a car, but up there I think the car would rot away too fast to see that sort of mileage.

Anyhow, PA is not like NY as they only use sand and not salt on their roads because of their stricter inspections that do not allow a lot of rust, IIRC. So, the cars there are probably not as bad as NY ( I used to live in the Poughkeepsie NY area growing up). Even so, I would go for stainless steel as it is much less likely to have problems in the future.

 

[dougfather]

Anyhow, PA is not like NY as they only use sand and not salt on their roads because of their stricter inspections that do not allow a lot of rust, IIRC.

PA does use salt. I know first hand what the salt does, especially old GM Trucks.

 

[megaladon6]

I'm used to 30 year old cars that do not require even penetrating oil to remove original suspension bolts

i wish!!!! i've had subaru's that are less than a year old seize the rear control arm bolts. the real fun is 10yr old plow trucks. when you turn the bolt and a section of frame rips out. :lol: [/quote]