So I called Aeroquip. They say that teflon lined hose can absorb some
elements from some brake fluids, which can break down the teflon over
time. The result is a spongy-ness of the teflon lining, which can be found
by examination - looking at the interior of the tube for blistering, or
feeling for soft spots on the exterior of the line. Probably for product
liability purposes, they wouldn't actually say that the line could actually
be used with brake fluid, and in the conversation they said that the lines
should be good for two to three years, and that some teams used them
forever with no bad results. They do not make a formal life
recommendation. All rather frustrating.
I'm going to do what I've always done - change the stainless steel lines on
my car when I can see damage externally - including feeling for kinks and
soft spots in the hose. I use off the shelf DOT 550 deg brake fluid which
probably isn't as aggressive as the pukka racing fluid. They did say that
while steel line is better from a fluid absorption perspective, it is far
more prone to fatigue cracking, which is a definite benefit to flex lines.
Cheers, Brian
At 09:23 AM 1/16/01 -0500, Brian Evans wrote:
>The life of stainless steel braided teflon lined aircraft quality brake
>hose is essentially the life of a race car. To back this up, I'm going to
>do a little web surfing research -= but I've never replaced a teflon lined
>Aeroquip brake line that wasn't damaged by external brutality yet.
>
>Brian
>
>At 03:13 PM 1/15/01 -0500, you wrote:
> >In a message dated 15/01/01 11:50:35 AM Pacific Standard Time,
> >mgvrmark@hotmail.com writes:
> >
> >
> > > The only real disadvantage with 100% flex lines, seems to be cost. It is
> > > more expensive per foot.
> >
> >Well, the fact that you have to replace them much more often than steel
> lines
> >(every 2-5 years) means that they are a LOT more expensive!
> >
> >Bill
>
>Brian Evans
>Director, Strategic Accounts
>UUNET, A WorldCom Company
Brian Evans
Director, Strategic Accounts
UUNET, A WorldCom Company
|