Braided brake lines

[patrick flowers]

>
>
> Can anyone clear this up for me or point me to an authority who can? I
> don't know all that much about braided brake lines, but it seams to me that
> they are simply rubber lines around which is wound a constraining and
> protective braided stainless wrapper. If the manufacturers use a DOT
> approved rubber hose material, the braid is simply an added layer of
> protection. Am getting close to ordering the TSM disc brake kit (which
> features braided lines to the calipers) and sure don't want to find out
> after-the-fact that I've got a problem.
> Dick 75 PB in Atlanta

Richard,

I doubt that you would ever get a ticket(I've never seen a USDOT patrol
car). The problem with braided lines is that the liner is teflon,
not rubber. This is an excellent material as it doesn't degrade and is
fairly rigid, but its main fault is that it abrades pretty easily. Road
grime works its way under the SS braid and works as a abrasive between
the SS and the teflon. Eventually the SS line fails. You need to
replace the line every couple years as a precaution.

I'm working with a manufacturer to produce some DOT "Spec" braided lines
- - there made from components that comply with DOT specifications, but
they can't be "DOT Approved" without submitting a bunch for testing.
They're made with a Kevlar sheath between the SS and the teflon. I've
already got the front lines(80mm calipers) on my coach, but the back
lines are being held up by the "tee" block. They're supposed to be
having these machined from brass to match the originals. I'm hoping
they can sell for about the same price as the TSM lines. BTW, the
individual lines will be replaceable on these unlike the OEM lines.

I'll let everyone know when they're ready.

Patrick
- --
Patrick Flowers
Mailtoatrick

The GMC Motorhome Page
http://www.gmcmotorhome.com

 

[richard bachert]

Arch wrote as follows at www.henry-davis.com/GMC/Sandy:

"I still believe that this would give us a much better feel on the brake
pedal, since the stainless-steel lines would not allow the expansion that
the rubber hoses do. Well guess again folks! Did you know that braided
stainless-steel lines are not approved by DOT! Yes you could get a ticket
for having braided stainless-steel lines on your motorhome. I have talk to
several manufacturers who say that with in a month or two they will have a
braided stainless-steel line which can receive DOT approval. But it does not
mean that they have received approval. It seems that DOT requires that any
braided line must have a rubber coating or other coating that can protect it
from fraying."

Can anyone clear this up for me or point me to an authority who can? I
don't know all that much about braided brake lines, but it seams to me that
they are simply rubber lines around which is wound a constraining and
protective braided stainless wrapper. If the manufacturers use a DOT
approved rubber hose material, the braid is simply an added layer of
protection. Am getting close to ordering the TSM disc brake kit (which
features braided lines to the calipers) and sure don't want to find out
after-the-fact that I've got a problem.
Dick 75 PB in Atlanta