Braided Steel Brake Hoses

[ea6driver]

I recently bought a set of four brand new braided steel brake hoses/lines from someone who sold them to me because he'd sold his Z and no longer needed them.

When they arrived today I was quite excited to install them, but when I opened the packaging I noticed a label attached to each hose that read "For off road use only. Do not use on public highways."

Well, I emailed him to ask why he had failed to mention this to me when he was describing the hoses and he said:

"I didn't mention it because its an industry wide standard warning. All performance parts for any car have that warning on them so the manufacturer isn't liable. They are perfectly fine for street use, there are no restrictions on their use, ask anyone."

OK. So I'm asking - are these brake lines OK to use on an otherwise stock street Z? The brand name of the hoses is Earl's Performance Plumbing.

Thanks in advance.

[Zs-ondabrain]

Bob,

I, as well as hundreds of others have Earls Stainless Steel braided brake lines on our Z's.

I've had mine for 4 years now and they still work the same, great.

He is correct to a point. Very few perfomance items are DOT approved, like my headlights, they are 90/100 watt H4's. They are brite, clean and make driving my Z at night as real pleasure and much safer than the stock bulbs, which are DOT approved. The H4's are not DOT approved and are for "Off road use only" but like he said, it's a Liability issue.

Hope that helps.

Dave.

Marysville, WA.

Edited January 21, 2009 by Zs-ondabrain

[Chino 240Z]

Bob,

I, as well as hundreds of others have Earls Stainless Steel braided brake lines on our Z's.

I've had mine for 4 years now and they still work the same, great.

He is correct to a point. Very few perfomance items are DOT approved, like my headlights, they are 90/100 watt H4's. They are brite, clean and make driving my Z at night as real pleasure and much safer than the stock bulbs, which are DOT approved. The H4's are not DOT approved and are for "Off road use only" but like he said, it's a Liability issue.

Hope that helps.

Dave.

Marysville, WA.

Four years here too and look perfect. They will work great for you. Just inspected them for sharp bends, broken wire braids as you normally would when you service your brakes.

Also like the seat harness vs. lap belts on some previous mentioned threads.... they also are not DOT approved "For Off Road Use Only". Liability issues. Many upgrades I would feel safer using over stock but the manufactures haven't done the DOT approval testing and may never.

[Goose52]

Mine had the same warning when I installed them about 25 years ago. They're still going strong and they give a firmer pedal feel as compared to the stock lines.

Goose

[BRE-240Z]

The labels are on mine, too. Install 'em and enjoy.

[Carl Beck]

As I recall - someone is or did sell DOT approved stainless braided lines for the Z. Anyone recall who that was or is???

I bought mine from Bob Sharp Racing back in the 70's - they still seem to be fine..

Carl B.

[Arne]

The issue - as I understand it - is that the DOT regs require brake hoses to have a smooth, non-abrasive surface. Obviously, the braid-covered lines don't meet that requirement. I have seen DOT-approved stainless hoses, they had a shrink-fit sleeve covering the braid.

[240ZMan]

Same issue here: I've used Earl's for several years now with no issues. I did have a potential rubbing issue between the hose and the rear strut with disc brakes, but I put some fuel line over it (split down the middle to make it easier to put on) and tied with cable ties.

Regardless of DOT approval, make sure not to forget common sense

[lewoolf2]

I brought a set from Motorsports Auto and I notice the same tag. Called them and they said they have never had any issues with them. Basically said what ever one else is saying.