Life of braided steel brake lines

Post by **Roger_850T** » 14 Feb 2017, 21:34

On my '95 850 Turbo Sedan, I have a set of braided stainless steel brake lines that have been installed for ~12 years and ~150k miles. If they were the regular rubber lines I'd be thinking about replacing them due to age. I'm pondering if I should do the same for these, or if they will last for a long time to come. My best guess is that they came from ipd when I put them on. What do you think?

Roger

Post by **FlyingVolvo** » 14 Feb 2017, 23:46

Unless there's corrosion or any sign of damage, I bet they'll outlast the car.

Post by **cn90** » 15 Feb 2017, 05:36

If there is any rubber crack, it is hidden by the braided steel.

The stock rubber hose easily lasts some 15y/140K or so, and any crack is visible to the naked eyes.

Post by **erikv11** » 15 Feb 2017, 08:12

I think you're going to want to hear from someone who has actually used braided lines for a while. I haven't but I will also chime in with a guess.

The rubber hoses, when they crack, it is the outer sheathing that cracks. Even then, the inner liner is a separate tube and is basically never cracked. Use cracks in the outer layer as a warning - it's not an emergency, just an indicator to change them. On my cars I have had to change a lot of rubber lines, if I do it when the first cracks show up then the Volvo or ATE lines are probably lasting about 6 years. It will of course vary a lot with driving habits, e.g. freeway miles will have little effect on longevity. Anyway, the stainless lines also have an inner liner and an outer rubber sheath, plus the braided steel is a third layer that spreads the stress of flexing across more hose and provides a pressure jacket. It's the flexing that leads to cracks, from turning the steering back and forth.

I'd agree with Ed - run 'em with confidence but check them for any signs of brake fluid leakage, since you can't see any cracks in the outer rubber through the steel braids. They also aren't very expensive, when you consider how long they last, so maybe replace them on their 15 year anniversary, that would be a very long life for a brake hose!

Post by **Roger_850T** » 18 Feb 2017, 18:15

I remember when I bought them, they were a pretty "high end" product. These days they seem to be pretty cheap. Part of me wants to replace them for peace of mind, and part of me fears taking off a quality part (albeit used) and replacing it with a new, inferior one. I've been burned with inferior parts too many times - if I'm going to bother to do the job, I'll put on good parts. But I can't find anything other than the cheap ones! <sigh.>

If waiting until I see seepage is a good method then ok. I'm more paranoid that I'm going to blow one out when I'm at 70+ on the Interstate and traffic comes to a sudden, screeching halt, with the expected disastrous conclusion. (And yes, that is my daily commute - 70+, with random, screeching halts for unknown reasons...)

Roger

Post by **rspi** » 19 Feb 2017, 12:40

Roger_850T wrote: If waiting until I see seepage is a good method then ok. I'm more paranoid that I'm going to blow one out when I'm at 70+ on the Interstate and traffic comes to a sudden, screeching halt, with the expected disastrous conclusion. (And yes, that is my daily commute - 70+, with random, screeching halts for unknown reasons...)

Roger

When brakes fail, insurance kicks in. lol

Brakes are over rated. I like going forward.

Post by **abscate** » 09 Nov 2020, 19:50

Old thread alert

Just noting that I’ve never had to replace brake lines on any of my cars. I’m pretty religious on my brake fluid changes, watching it run into my front wheel bearings

Post by **Clemens** » 10 Nov 2020, 14:00

Not even the rubber ones? None? On all the countless p80s you've hoarded?

Post by **abscate** » 10 Nov 2020, 18:16

None - I do live in a mild climate with respect to ozone and sun - rubber parts last a long time here.

I dont keep brake fluid in them for more than 2 years - Hmmmmmmm

configsys · Post by **configsys** » 10 Nov 2020, 20:53

Just had mine replaced at 215K miles. It had a few hairline cracks on the outer sheath but gosh after 20 years, it was time and I did go with the stainless steel braid ones.