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Jul 21st, 2025 | | | | Joined: Oct 2007 Posts: 397 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Oct 2007 Posts: 397 | I need to replace my old steel brake lines. JC has a 7 piece set of preformed SS brake lines for my year truck for $185.00. For the money spent is this the smart way to go? Seems like the ease of assembly would be the big winner, plus not having to figure out all the bends and getting the double lap flaring correct. Who's been successful with installing these preformed SS hydraulic tubing sets and were you satified with the vendor?
"Lucille" ..... Proud Member of the "Southern Stovebolts" David Wolff 1946 Chevy 1/2-ton In the Gallery | | | | | Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 2,952 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 2,952 | Why stainless? The regular steel lines have served your truck well all these years and new ones will probably outlast you. As to forming them, it is not a problem. The routing is quite simple.
My 2 cents! | | | | | Joined: Oct 2003 Posts: 5,152 Cruising in the Passing Lane | | Cruising in the Passing Lane Joined: Oct 2003 Posts: 5,152 | Last time I replaced brake lines I bought steel tube and formed the lines myself.
If you are not comfortable doing that, or don't have the needed time (it didn't take that much) a preformed set could be your answer.
As for stainless over regular steel, if you are forming them yourself the stainless is much harder to get right so I'd stay away from it. But stainless will look nicer longer and probably last longer too, though either is likely to give more then 25 years service.
Its not the cheapest most DIY approach, but I see no reason not to do it if you like the idea.
1955 1st GMC Suburban | 1954 GMC 250 trailer puller project | 1954 GMC 250 Hydra-Matic | 1954 Chevy 3100 . 1947 Chevy COE | and more...
It's true. I really don't do anything but browse the Internet looking for trouble... | | | | | Joined: Dec 2006 Posts: 24 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Dec 2006 Posts: 24 | Hello
I just finished redoing a 58 GMC Panel and I used Classic Tube SS. I did not have any trouble and SS is the way to go.Just be sure to clip it down so it will not rub on any thing this goes with steel tube also hope this helps Sam T | | | | | Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 4,903 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 4,903 | I guess a lot of it depends on how old you are. I have almost a dozen 50+ year old vehicles with original steel brake lines. I am 66 years old and installing brake lines that will lost longer than that is pretty low on my priority list. | | | | | Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,262 Bubba - Curmudgeon | | Bubba - Curmudgeon Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,262 |
I'll be giving my trucks to my offspring many years from now. I have no doubt that regular brake lines can last many, many years. I use stainless steel brake lines and hardware (whenever possible), so that I will rest in peace when I rest in peace.
By the way, I had original 1948-1954 brake lines fail in VA in 1969-1974 (no salt used on the roads back then) but the lines were sometimes corroded from the outside and sometimes from the inside.
| | | | | Joined: Jan 2001 Posts: 1,410 ODSS President | | ODSS President Joined: Jan 2001 Posts: 1,410 | I used SS when I replaced my (then 50 year) old lines 12 years ago and they look the same as the day I put them on.
So worth it, IMHO.
~ Cosmo
1949 Chevy Half Ton
Rocinante, like Don Quixote, he is awkward, past his prime, and engaged in a task beyond his capacities.
"...my good horse Rocinante, mine eternal and inseparable companion in all my journeys and courses." ...Don Quixote, Cervantes
"If you come to a fork in the road, take it."...Yogi Berra
"Rudeness is the weak man's imitation of strength." ...Eric Hoffer
| | | | | Joined: Jul 2008 Posts: 1,262 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Jul 2008 Posts: 1,262 | I use stainless...
Stainless is Forever | | | | | Joined: May 2005 Posts: 8,877 . | | . Joined: May 2005 Posts: 8,877 | I have made my own stainless lines and while it looks really nice it is difficult to flare and bend and get to fit right, not impossible, but not all that fun. If you want stainless the pre made kit might be a good choice. If you want to make your own lines copper nickel alloy brake lines are very easy to flare and bend, look nice and don't corrode. Copper nickel is used by a number of European car manufacturers and seems to be getting more popular here. I've got some for sale here if interested. Grigg | | |
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