MSA Stainless Steel Brakes Hoses

[Marty Rogan]

Has anyone used the MSA stainless steel brake hoses? Are you satisfied with the quality? Did they install easily and fit correctly?

If there are any better (or cheaper) alternative hoses out there, I'd like to hear from you.

Thanks,

Marty

[Bambikiller240]

Originally posted by Marty Rogan

Has anyone used the MSA stainless steel brake hoses? Are you satisfied with the quality? Did they install easily and fit correctly?

If there are any better (or cheaper) alternative hoses out there, I'd like to hear from you.

Thanks,Marty

Hi Marty:

I bought a set of them 4 years ago. They fit and installed just fine. No problems whatsoever. I have had NO problems with them at all. The ones MSA was selling then were made by "Earls". I couldn't find any that were selling for less (at that time).

[ZmeFly]

They are made by "Earls" and sold by MSA, its not they're brand of hose, Ive used them before including the clutch slave hose as well and have no problems at all with them.

Definetly worth the price.

[gramercyjam]

I just got some a couple weeks ago. I haven't gotten around to putting them on yet, but they still have an Earls label and look like quality parts and they are quite inexpensive.

They may be a tad shorter than I had hoped. If the brake hoses are a little longer than stock, it makes it easier to remove strut inserts and change springs without disconnecting the brake lines or the lower control arms.

[Zvoiture]

Are the MSA hoses still 12"F and 9"R? I inherited a set on a car and found them--as mentioned--a bit short and the PO had kinked a couple. The price at MSA is definitely the best. What is it, $65? That is a deal. I have been 'building my own sets' from Porterfield's catalogue and paying quite a bit more. I don't know the quality comparison to Earl's, but they seem pretty well put together. Teflon lined SS hoses by RXI or TXI or something like that. I get the 15" -4X-4 straight premade hoses for $11-something each and then you need two -4AN male to 10X1.0mmFIF adaptors for each corner at about $3 each, so do the math. With shipping and change I think it is in the $75+ range.

Are the MSA ones -3 or -4 AN?

steve

[gramercyjam]

Here's what I ordered:

Code Product Quantity Price Total

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

SF245121G MSA Performance Stainless Steel Brake Lines, 70-81 Z/ZX 1 $67.95 $67.95

SSYear: 70-78

Shipping:: $7.35

Sales Tax:: $0.00

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Total: $75.30

As I recall, they all appear to be the same length, about 12". I don't know what size the fittings are. I assume they are the right fittings and won't require adapters.

[Mark Schue]

Anything from Earls, Aeroquip, Goodrich is good stuff. I'd be totally confident that the MSA lines are good quality.

I wonder if the MSA hose ends are really stainless steel or if its just stainless lines. Regular -4 steel hose ends usually go for around $7.50 - $9.50 depending on the angle. Stainless steel -4 hose ends go for around $47.50ea!

Looks like Earls got bought out by Holly. When did that happen?

http://www.holley.com/earlsplumbing/index.html

[Bambikiller240]

Originally posted by gramercyjam

As I recall, they all appear to be the same length, about 12". I don't know what size the fittings are. I assume they are the right fittings and won't require adapters.

Mine were all the same length, though I didn't measure, they seemed to be about 12" or so. They look like -3 hoses, but that's just my eye telling me that. They will not need adapters, as Earls uses the correct fittings to begin with. There isn't anything wrong with using AN fittings and adapters, it just isn't necessary with the MSA sold product. Back in the "old days" I did as Steve, but used Earls products to build my hoses. This was before the correct fittings were available from Earls.

[Zvoiture]

>>>>and won't require adapters.<<<<

The adaptors replace the adaptor that is already in there--you know the thing with the little notches that take the C-clips locking it to the strut tab and the hub tab? It is not an additional piece. It's just I have never figured out the size of the male flare side of the stock adaptor--or found a hose pre-made that fits on it. the last set I saw from MSA had new Earl's adaptors at each end too, but they may have worked that out to fit the Nissan pieces. The stock piece is not 3 or 4 AN. It is something weird.

steve

[Bambikiller240]

Originally posted by Zvoiture

>>>>and won't require adapters.<<<<

The adaptors replace the adaptor that is already in there--you know the thing with the little notches that take the C-clips locking it to the strut tab and the hub tab? It is not an additional piece. It's just I have never figured out the size of the male flare side of the stock adaptor--or found a hose pre-made that fits on it. the last set I saw from MSA had new Earl's adaptors at each end too, but they may have worked that out to fit the Nissan pieces. The stock piece is not 3 or 4 AN. It is something weird.

steve

Yes, I understand that. The Earls hoses that I got from MSA fit into the stock mounting pieces on the strut tube that you describe. These fittings also have the 10mm X 1.0 female threads for the Z car hard lines. No AN fitting at all.

[Marty Rogan]

Thanks guys. I had heard that Earl's hoses were really good. I am glad to hear that is what MSA is selling. I am going to order a set.

Thanks again.

Marty

[Royce]

I ordered Earl's Stainless Steel brake lines from Summit Racing. I wanted Earl's or at least some name I was familiar with and didn't know the manufacturer of the MSA ones, until now. I think the price is similar or the same, but you might want to check them out as well. http://summitracing.com