Product Review: Earl's Hyperfirm SS Brake Lines

Gairloch · 06-02-2006, 04:08 AM

These lines seem to be functioning fine but installing them was a bit of a pain.

The fitment left quite a bit to be desired; I ended up having to zip tie them in place because I'm not willing to cut up my strut tube tabs. They've got a really neat way to secure them onto the strut tube tabs involving tightening a nut down instead of farting around with clips. Unfortunately there's no way to get the nut off the brake line and it obviously can't fit through the hole in the tab. (I realize this is clear as mud, I'll try to get pictures next time I fly my car.)

Additionally after connecting the SS lines to the metal brake lines getting the bracket bolted to the wheel well wall involved quite a bit more effort then I
really liked.

On a scale of 1 - 10 I would give these a *4*. Being generous because of the excellent price I was able to get.

erioshi · 06-03-2006, 07:11 AM

One additional note is that these lines are NOT coated. If exposed to salt water or salt air, I would expect them to rust quickly.

Redlyne_mr2 · 06-05-2006, 12:39 AM

How do the goodridges compare? Any other suggestions for lines? Still trying to decide what to get.

Mister2.2 · 06-05-2006, 02:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by erioshi

One additional note is that these lines are NOT coated. If exposed to salt water or salt air, I would expect them to rust quickly.

Why would they rust? They are SS...?

erioshi · 06-05-2006, 03:25 PM

Non-coated stainless lines will eventually rust. A fender well is a pretty harsh environmnet - rain water (and whatever was on the road), brake dust, lots of heating and cooling, etc. It's probably not as big a problem for areas that are not prone to rust, but if you live in a high rust area then coated lines are a better solution.

Better quality lines (like Goodridge) will have an external coating (usually clear) covering the stainless braiding and be completely sealed.

MR2TRD1 · 06-05-2006, 03:52 PM

I noticed the strut tab issue when installing mine, but I figured I wasn't doing something right. I took a dremel and cut just enough for the nut to clear sideways. The only issue I have is the rubbing between the line and the piece that bolts to the car to guide it looks like it could be really harsh with alot of friction. Overall I felt the upgrade was pointless because I can't feel much of a difference with new slotted/drilled rotors, pads, and lines.

06-02-2006, 04:08 AM	#1 (permalink)
Gairloch Dreaming of apexes Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Minneapolis, MN Posts: 5,313 Thanks: 139 Thanked 296 Times in 264 Posts Blog Entries: 4 My Google Map iTrader Rating: (7/100% )	Product Review: Earl's Hyperfirm SS Brake Lines These lines seem to be functioning fine but installing them was a bit of a pain. The fitment left quite a bit to be desired; I ended up having to zip tie them in place because I'm not willing to cut up my strut tube tabs. They've got a really neat way to secure them onto the strut tube tabs involving tightening a nut down instead of farting around with clips. Unfortunately there's no way to get the nut off the brake line and it obviously can't fit through the hole in the tab. (I realize this is clear as mud, I'll try to get pictures next time I fly my car.) Additionally after connecting the SS lines to the metal brake lines getting the bracket bolted to the wheel well wall involved quite a bit more effort then I really liked. On a scale of 1 - 10 I would give these a 4. Being generous because of the excellent price I was able to get.

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06-03-2006, 07:11 AM	#2 (permalink)
erioshi Cage Fighter Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 251 Thanks: 0 Thanked 5 Times in 5 Posts My Google Map iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	One additional note is that these lines are NOT coated. If exposed to salt water or salt air, I would expect them to rust quickly.

06-05-2006, 12:39 AM	#3 (permalink)
Redlyne_mr2 I Pump Cougars Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 239 Thanks: 1 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	How do the goodridges compare? Any other suggestions for lines? Still trying to decide what to get.

06-05-2006, 03:25 PM	#5 (permalink)
erioshi Cage Fighter Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 251 Thanks: 0 Thanked 5 Times in 5 Posts My Google Map iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	Non-coated stainless lines will eventually rust. A fender well is a pretty harsh environmnet - rain water (and whatever was on the road), brake dust, lots of heating and cooling, etc. It's probably not as big a problem for areas that are not prone to rust, but if you live in a high rust area then coated lines are a better solution. Better quality lines (like Goodridge) will have an external coating (usually clear) covering the stainless braiding and be completely sealed.

06-05-2006, 03:52 PM	#6 (permalink)
MR2TRD1 pimpin' valet ;-) Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Atlanta Posts: 2,180 Thanks: 1 Thanked 37 Times in 34 Posts iTrader Rating: (19/100% )	I noticed the strut tab issue when installing mine, but I figured I wasn't doing something right. I took a dremel and cut just enough for the nut to clear sideways. The only issue I have is the rubbing between the line and the piece that bolts to the car to guide it looks like it could be really harsh with alot of friction. Overall I felt the upgrade was pointless because I can't feel much of a difference with new slotted/drilled rotors, pads, and lines.