thatXJguy

Hey guys, let's have a discussion about stainless steel braided brake lines safety.



These are a common mod for those running long arm lift kits that need longer brake lines.

There is a big debate in whether to use braided stainless steel lines, or to use OEM replacement rubber lines.

The big debate is which ones are safer.

I've heard stories about both aftermarket and OEM brake lines popping. If you were to get brake lines, which would you go with?

The benefits of the stainless steel braided lines are that they don't have any expansion when they are put under pressure, but the teflon inside is supposedly very brittle, which seems like a strange thing to use on something that will be moving around a lot when the long arms and axle go up and down. The factory OEM lines, on the other hand, are rubber, and can move around without risks of breaking, but on the other hand, they rot and that's their weakness.

So what would you guys go with? I just want to know if installing these stainless steel braided lines is safe or not. My Jeep is used to transport not only myself, but my family and friends around, and the last thing I need is a popped line and no brakes on the road.

If you're running these (and these are the people I want to chime in), what are your experiences with braided stainless steel brake lines?

thatXJguy

The Pabst boys had a Rough Country brake line pop on them, and I've heard about issues with them popping before.

They're relatively new brake lines, so they shouldn't have the wear and tear to pop after just months or a couple years of use.

The BDS ones, as Dukie has informed me, are made by Crown, the same manufacture that makes the Rough Country ones. What I'm wondering is if there's any difference in quality between the two brands.

93_xjcherokee

I am running Rubicon express braided lines front and rear and have zero complaints

thatXJguy

I have been doing a lot of research and people seem to have a lot of mixed feelings about them.

http://www.nsxprime.com/wiki/Brake_Lines

http://www.odyclub.com/forums/52-200...e-failure.html

It seems to be something that is unreliable for street use and needs to be replaced very often to keep up the safety level.

cruiser54

I've run those types of lines since Moby Dick was a minnow on nearly everything I drive, and my family drives. Never an issue.

thatXJguy

That's good to hear, everyone local around me says these are the best of the best types of brake lines to have. I've had mechanics and auto parts stores agree that these are a good upgrade to have.

I wonder why the mixed feelings about them across the Web. Even one of my own friends' dads recommended extended OEM lines, like those from a YJ over these.

Fred/N0AZZ

I run the SS with a rubber outside type hose on them. Dammed if I can remember what the brand is right now but my 4x4 shop told me that was what he used on all of his Jeeps and Rock Crawler he ordered them for me.


I had SS line like the pic above but returned them, glad I did as I recall these even came in colors.

thatXJguy

Why are you glad you returned them?

Fred/N0AZZ

The ones I used are a much nicer line and more HD than the SS ones I had purchased, I didn't even know these were made.

thatXJguy

Sounds like something we could all benefit from. If you can dig up any info on them, let us know!

thatXJguy

Doing further research, I called Xtreme Jeep, a popular lift shop in Tampa Florida to ask their opinions on the safety of these lines.

Their response to me was that although they've heard of this issue happening, never once has one of their customers came back with any problems after having them installed.

Ianf406

I like the IRO lines. At first they were just steel braided. I had a few rip open on me. Now they come with a thick, clear rubber around the steel. They are strong and not too expensive. I haven't had a problem since! I had my entire 35" tire/hanging by one two weekends ago... no problems.

cruiser54

I got a nice set like that from Serious Off Road. Don't remember the brand.

caged

i've been running the same skyjacker ss lines for over 10 years.

thatXJguy

My BDS lines have a clear rubber over the stainless steel too.

I'm thinking I will be installing them. Most of the people running them have good things to say about them, and at 7.5 inches of lift and the intention to go long arm, I need to remove my stock lines and go to extended.