Steel Brake Lines Vs Rubber Brake Lines: What To Choose (2023)

FAQs

What type of brake line should I use? ›

A copper brake line is the best quality brake lines you can buy for a longer-lasting life on any vehicle, farm vehicle and industrial vehicles alike. Copper tubing is easy to replace because it is a pliable and bendable product that can make bends and turns without breaking.

Both types of brake hoses are effective and offer reliable performance. If you use your vehicle for general, everyday use and you're just looking for a dependable, cost-effective choice, then rubber is for you. If you favour look and enhanced performance, then stainless steel is the best option.

Braided stainless steel brake lines can withstand the pressure associated with the brake system and don't swell. As a result, their lifespan is much longer. This means they can maintain high performance over a long period.

Unfortunately, stainless steel lines have some downsides as well. They are more resistant, sure, but nothing is ever completely resistant, and finding a tear on a stainless steel line is much more difficult than it is on a rubber one.

Alloy brake tubing has the same structural integrity of plain steel tubing but offers better corrosion resistance characteristics and is easier to work with and bend into shape than plain steel.

Cupronickel is a nickel-copper alloy that is softer than steel, bends easy and doesn't rust, flaring it is easy and it is less expensive than stainless. If you are plumbing a whole car, cupronickel makes forming custom line easy, so that is what we used in our project.

All rubber lines have a working pressure of 3,000 psi and meet or exceed FMVSS standards.

Aluminum, stainless steel and steel are very strong and resistant materials. They also withstand high temperatures very well. This makes them perfect for use in braking systems as this is an application where temperatures are high and expected to rise.

Stainless steel brake lines can be a bit more of a challenge to bend. The hardiness of steel can make flaring a difficult process.

The answer is really pretty easy. Almost every car or truck worldwide utilizes a 3/16-inch brake line, also referred to as a CNF-3. The other most common brake line is the ¼ inch. This size was routinely used in the 1950s, so if your truck or car was manufactured in that era, you would need the ¼ inch.

How long do rubber brake lines last? ›

The estimated life of a typical 'rubber' brake hose is 6 years, according to BrakeQuip, the manufacturer of aftermarket rubber and high-performance stainless steel braided brake hoses. The actual wear of your brake hoses depends on weather conditions where you drive and store your vehicle, your driving style, etc.

Brake lines are most often 3/16- or 1/4-inch diameter and, while there will be no pressure difference between the two, there will be a difference in the amount of fluid delivered.

The most obvious advantage of copper-nickel brake lines is that they are much more durable than traditional steel or stainless steel brake lines. Copper nickel is much less likely to oxidize or corrode, making it ideal for use in dirty or harsh environments.

The most common way that brake lines fail is that they begin to leak. They are usually made of steel and capable of withstanding pressures. However, they can sometimes become worn or damaged as the vehicle is driven and are susceptible to leaks.

All brake lines need to be double flared, due to the high hydraulic pressure. If your brakes leak or the hoses crack, it could prove to be fatal. Single flared lines are suitable for low-pressure lines in other applications, but not your vehicle's brakes.

DO NOT USE COMPRESSION FITTINGS to join brake lines. Compression fittings are designed for lower-pressure lines such as those used for fuel, compressed air, and water. These fittings are commonly made of brass, but they're complicated.

One important thing to remember is to never use a single flare. Single flares are not durable enough to withhold the pressure and are to never be used on steel brake lines. Brake lines can leak after installment if they are not fitted properly. One of the most common problems is when the flare is imperfect.

An air braked commercial motor vehicle shall not be operated with brake lining/pad thickness less than 6.4 mm (1⁄4 inch) or to the wear indicator if the lining is so marked (measured at the shoe center for drum brakes); or less than 3.2 mm (1⁄8 inch) for disc brakes.

If disc brakes are used, the minimum thickness is 3.2 mm (1/8 inch). If hydraulic or electric brakes are used, the minimum thickness is 1.6 mm (1/16 inch).

Typical brake line pressures during a stop range from less than 800psi under "normal" conditions, to as much as 2000psi in a maximum effort.

How much PSI can a 3 8 brake line hold? ›

3/8" is 5,955 PSI.

All you have to do is fill the power bleeder with a brake fluid of your choice, pressurize it to about 15 psi, then go and crack your caliper bleeder screw. The pressure is enough to push the old fluid out, no pedal pumping required.

How long will brake lines generally last? Most new cars and trucks come with stainless steel brake lines that are expected to last seven to fifteen years before requiring replacement. It is one of the most durable parts of your vehicle and is considered a lifetime part.

Brake hoses are constantly exposed to environmental elements and are subjected to flexing, turning, braking, high hydraulic pressure, and abrasion. Together, these factors wear down your hoses. Worn-out brake hoses are more likely to leak brake fluid, and if unchecked, this can lead to total brake system failure.

EPDM hose is the only rubber hose which is compatible with brake fluid. No other hose should be used due to brake fluid contamination.

The two most common brake lines found are 3/16"/4.75mm and 1/4". The smaller size is 3/16"/4.75mm brake line, CNF-3; and the larger size is 1/4", CNF-4. 3/16" is found on virtually all cars and trucks made in the world.

Brake lines are most often 3/16 or 1/4 inch in diameter and the only difference is the amount of fluid delivered. The bigger tubing will carry more volume, so 1/4-inch line may be preferable in some instances, disc brake calipers with large piston displacements, as an example.

The 45-degree inverted flare is the most common style of flare used in automotive hard lines like brake, fuel, and transmission fluid transfer.

Typically speaking, you will pay between $250 and $500 for one brake line. This is broken down between a cost for labor which is between about $40 and $50 and a cost for the parts, which is between about $150 and $275. Typically, brake lines need to be replaced around 100,000 miles.

Some manufacturers clamp the brake hose to the fender wall. Over time, there is a warring effect between the point where the hose is held tight in the clamp and where it flexes. Over time, the inner tube will rupture again, setting the stage for an implosion of the inner tube.

How long does it take a mechanic to replace brake lines? ›

Brake lines aren't routed the same way in all vehicles. However, replacing your brake line is usually a quick process. With a professional mechanic, it takes about one to two hours. Your mechanic will have to remove the old brake line and put in a new one, or splice the bad section and replace it.

If the lines were short and straight, the motion of the car would eventually crack the brake lines; the continual flexing would fatigue the metal and eventually break it, just the way a spoon bent back and forth repeatedly will eventually break.

Steel brake lines can be replaced with copper ones – TRUE

After disproving myths related to brake lines, we would like to show that copper lines can be used in brake systems. They are the standard value replacement of steel lines if they meet all the aspects listed above and the technical requirements.

Easier to maintain: Disc brakes are easier to repair and maintain compared to other types of brakes. Better stopping power: They boost the spotting power substantially. They can generate more friction than other types of brakes, which provides more consistent braking performance.

Front brakes handle most of the braking force and build up most of the friction heat. Rear brakes take on less braking force but provide stability to prevent spin-outs and rollovers.

Unlike concrete and wood materials, steel is notorious for rusting in certain environments. Consequently, the costs of painting and maintaining a steel structure can be high. Steel can also be a conductor of heat, which means it needs to be adequately fireproofed.

Most steels are susceptible to corrosion due to its iron composition, though the stainless steels address this weakness to some degree of success. Steel has a high level of strength, but this strength is inversely proportional to its toughness, or a measure of resilience to deformation without fracture.

While seamless black steel pipe has several advantages, there are a few drawbacks to consider before deciding whether or not to use it. First, the black coating can wear off if exposed to regular wear and tear or if exposed to other elements. This can make the pipe vulnerable to further corrosion or rust.

The easiest way to check for a brake line leak is by holding a flashlight under your car. If you notice drips on the inside of your wheels, rust spots along the lines, or any wet or dry fluid streaks, you could be dealing with a brake line leak.

Moisture and road salt corrode the steel over time allowing the brake lines to weaken. Once brake lines become damaged, moisture has the ability to get into the braking system. This can limit your brakes overall effectiveness or cause them to fail completely! Safety is of the utmost importance.

What is the most common brake line fitting? ›

3/16-inch tubing is one of the most common sizes used in brake systems, which makes use of a 3/8-24 inverted flare nut like part number 91031820.

All other vehicles that have been manufactured since then should use the 3/16-inch brake line. The size of the brake line is ultimately determined by the hydraulic system that the manufacturer used. Both sizes, 3/16" and 1/4", deliver the pressurized fluid equally so nothing would be gained by switching to the 1/4".

Brake lines are most often 3/16 or 1/4 inch in diameter and the only difference is the amount of fluid delivered. The bigger tubing will carry more volume, so 1/4-inch line may be preferable in some instances, disc brake calipers with large piston displacements, as an example.

There are two basic types of passenger vehicle brake line flares: the double flare (also called the inverted flare) and the bubble flare (also known as the metric flare). It is important to know that these two flare forms are not interchangeable.

1/4" is 8,932 PSI.

The easiest thread identification method is to use a thread ID gauge (such as BrakeQuip Thread ID Kit – Part# BQ2100). Alternatively, you can take an unknown male or female part and try to screw it together with a part you already know the size of – if it fits, you now know the size of both.

As a general rule, your pedal ratio should not exceed 6:1 for manual brakes with a 1” bore master cylinder and 4:1 for power brakes with a 1-1/8” bore master.

Allstar 3/16 inch Diameter 72 inch Long Stainless Steel Brake Line features brake lines that are constructed using quality 304 stainless steel. It has a 1/4 inch diameter and the brake line is 12 inches long.

Brake lines are most often 3/16- or 1/4-inch diameter and, while there will be no pressure difference between the two, there will be a difference in the amount of fluid delivered.

Typical brake line pressures during a stop range from less than 800psi under "normal" conditions, to as much as 2000psi in a maximum effort.

How many psi are hydraulic brakes? ›

Typically the hydraulic pressure generated during light to normal braking will be from 300psi to 500psi. Panic braking is generally considered to start at about 600psi. The proportioning valve will start to limit pressure to the rear brakes at this time.

When air tank pressure rises to the “cut-out” level (around 125 pounds per-square-inch or “psi”), the governor stops the compressor from pumping air. When the tank pressure falls to the “cut-in” pressure (around 100 psi), the governor allows the compressor to start pumping again.