(8/2/01): A couple weeks ago I ordered some replacement
Stainless Steel Rear Brake lines for my bug. The lines I had on the rear,
were only about 2 years old, but I wanted the 'system' to be matched (I have SS
braided lines up front, so might as well put them out back as well). I got
them from www.aircooled.net While I
was ordering them, I noticed they also sold "brake supply hose", Which
at the time I thought was 'weird'. When I replaced the supply hose (the
hose from the brake fluid reservoir to the steel tubing, and from the steel
tubing to the brake master cylinder), I just used plain old fuel hose. I
figured if it held up to gas, it would hold up to brake fluid right?
WRONG! I've been told that brake fluid actually deteriorates standard fuel
line (slowly). Upon hearing this, I went ahead and ordered my ss rear
brake lines, AND the brake supply hose. When its something to do with the
brakes, you NEVER EVER want to get cheap! I had been running the rubber
fuel hose in the car for about a year, and didn't have any problems; BUT if I
left it on there for much longer, I may have figured out the problem the HARD
way. This is the old brake supply hose from the metal tubing to the brake master
cylinder. It looked OK, however, there is no doubt given a little more
time, they would have developed leaks, since they don't hold up to brake fluid!
This is the replacement brake supply hose (its braided blue tubing)
This should last for a LONG while!
I also replaced the old rubber hose that I had going from the brake fluid reservoir,
to the metal lines with some of the same Brake supply hose. (I made a little
mess with the brake fluid; DOH!)
Its hard to get a pic of the rear brake line, but here is what the 'old'
(less than 2 years old) brake line looked like. It was in perfect shape,
but I wanted the rear to match the front, which is why I replaced it with SS
braided line.
Here is the SS braided brake line. NICE! Its a little tricky to
install, as it tends to want to 'twist' on ya'.
After I got everything installed, I refilled the brake fluid reservoir, and
bled the brakes (all 4). Brakes work great! -- NO leaks!
