I'm already thinking of changing out my fuel and brake lines to SS; do you use compression style fittings or are flared SS fittings available ?

 

SS flair fittings are available. SS uses a different flair angle than mild steel and requires a high quality flairing tool designed for SS to flair. There are places that will bend and flair SS brake lines either to the stock configuration from their patterns or you can send them a bent wire pattern to follow. They can also supply the correct fittings. I would not use compression fittings on brake lines. SS brake lines are nice if you are building a show truck, but IMHO are way overkill in expense and difficulty to use for a daily driver.

 

Swagelock makes a line of compression fittings for stainless and while they are rated at 600 psi, they are not DOT rated or approved. So I would personally stick with flares.

 

Thanks guys, that's what I thought. I need to modify my brake lines from the booster so I thought I would go stainless.


Tom

 

The Swagelok people claim that their fittings are rated for more than any tubing you can use them with. 304 and 316 SS 0.028 wall 3/16 tubing is rated for 5400 PSIG. In order to qualify to work with SS tubing in the plant where I work, we have to take a one day course put on by Swagelok. At the end of the day, we have to build a loop using 1/4 and 3/8 tubing which the instructor tests to its burst point. 3/8 0.035 wall tubing, rated at 3300 PSIG, usually bursts first at around 14000 to 16000 PSIG. If your test fails at a fitting, then the fittings were not torqued properly.
The only two downfalls to using Swagelok are:
-DOT doesn't recognize Swagelok as a suitable fitting for brake lines. Can be used for fuel lines and air ride suspention air lines.
-Swagelok is very expensive. eg. 1/4 inch branch tee retails for about $38.00.

Rick

 

S/S gets you nothing when it comes to brake lines. I used S/S everywhere on my truck, but NOT the brake lines. The new stuff in aluminized steel and it will stay pretty for a long time and do the job intended plus do a 45 degree at home.

 

I agree. Plain steel line is still going after 50 years on many trucks here, the aluminized steel is even better. There is a reason the companies making custom SS brake lines exist, it's not DIY friendly.

 

Tip , here is what the aluminized lines look like. They still look new after 2 years, you can polish them with Flit or Zoops, and they will last 50 years as AX mentioned.



Jon