Warning - defective brake lines
#1
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Thread Starter
Warning - defective brake lines
I recently bought a set of Apex steel braided brake lines (www.apexbrakes.com) from Rennsport Auto Parts via an Ebay auction http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...m=190343192615
Last weekend, they were installed on an 1984 944 NA running in the 24 Hours of Lemons. At the six hour mark, both front brake lines failed catastrophically under heavy braking prior to the Karussel turn. Both lines blew out of their crimp fittings simultaneously while the car was travelling about 80 mph at the end of a straightaway. The rear brakes continued to work for just long enough for the driver to throw the car into the banking then out--spinning to a stop short of the wall.
I know nothing about the manufacturer or vendor. They claim that the lines meet DOT and SAE standards. I don't know of any other cases where this has happened. I can only write about our experience and let you draw your own conclusions before using this brand of brake line on your car.
Pictures of the brakes lines:
Steve Randolph
944 Cup #3
Last weekend, they were installed on an 1984 944 NA running in the 24 Hours of Lemons. At the six hour mark, both front brake lines failed catastrophically under heavy braking prior to the Karussel turn. Both lines blew out of their crimp fittings simultaneously while the car was travelling about 80 mph at the end of a straightaway. The rear brakes continued to work for just long enough for the driver to throw the car into the banking then out--spinning to a stop short of the wall.
I know nothing about the manufacturer or vendor. They claim that the lines meet DOT and SAE standards. I don't know of any other cases where this has happened. I can only write about our experience and let you draw your own conclusions before using this brand of brake line on your car.
Pictures of the brakes lines:
Steve Randolph
944 Cup #3
Last edited by strandolph; 06-27-2010 at 10:38 AM. Reason: Added another photo
#5
Late Porkchops
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Yikes! Glad you or nobody was hurt. Cetainly looks like a burst failure on the ends. What kind of pressure rating and what kind of fluid? I know it was heated up but as you say it has got to be stronger than that. Thanks for posting.
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#8
Three Wheelin'
Get them made up yourself at your hose doctor service. I use them for all sorts of hoses. Had a Jag that blew a power steer hose. Jag's price...$490.00, Pirtek's price....$80.00.
http://www.pirtekusa.com/
http://www.pirtekusa.com/
#9
That is scary all right. I've had (the same) SS lines on my car for 12 years or so with no issues. I think a few hours of track time on them too. I'll see if I can dig up the receipt... Glad to hear you and the car were relatively unscathed.
#10
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Thread Starter
Advertised at 3000 PSI. ATE Blue fluid.
They appeared to be the same length as factory although they weren't measured. I didn't personally do the install, but they were installed by an ASE technician who does a lot of 944 work and I'm sure he would have questioned anything that didn't look right.
Steve
Steve
#11
Mr. Excitement
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Advertised at 3000 PSI. ATE Blue fluid.
They appeared to be the same length as factory although they weren't measured. I didn't personally do the install, but they were installed by an ASE technician who does a lot of 944 work and I'm sure he would have questioned anything that didn't look right.
Steve
They appeared to be the same length as factory although they weren't measured. I didn't personally do the install, but they were installed by an ASE technician who does a lot of 944 work and I'm sure he would have questioned anything that didn't look right.
Steve
Were the lines long enough (they look longer than stock) and run in the correct path? Was there a way they could get caught on something during a hard compression that could have caused them to be pulled on at the hill crest?
#12
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If the failure was truly caused by brake line pressure, then both would have had to fail instantaneously, because once one side failed the line pressure would have immediately dropped.
__________________
Larry Herman
2016 Ford Transit Connect Titanium LWB
2018 Tesla Model 3 - Electricity can be fun!
Retired Club Racer & National PCA Instructor
Past Flames:
1994 RS America Club Racer
2004 GT3 Track Car
1984 911 Carrera Club Racer
1974 914/4 2.0 Track Car
CLICK HERE to see some of my ancient racing videos.
Larry Herman
2016 Ford Transit Connect Titanium LWB
2018 Tesla Model 3 - Electricity can be fun!
Retired Club Racer & National PCA Instructor
Past Flames:
1994 RS America Club Racer
2004 GT3 Track Car
1984 911 Carrera Club Racer
1974 914/4 2.0 Track Car
CLICK HERE to see some of my ancient racing videos.
#14
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Thread Starter
The lines measure 18 inches and appeared to be routed correctly. They were installed by an experienced professional mechanic. During the heat of the moment, our focus was on sourcing replacements and getting the car back on track, so we might have missed some forensic research that would be valuable now.
Steve
#15
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Hmm, what Larry writes makes sense. It's possible that one line was coincidently pulled out when the tow truck ignored our tow hook and gaffed both A-arms instead, but there's no way to know for sure. There is a tear in the plastic coating on the line that has a rough look and hard bend at the separated end. The other line is cleanly shaped on the end and looks like the hose just slipped out of the crimp. The line that is "clean" also doesn't appear to have any trauma anywhere on the plastic coating. I would think that there would be a leverage point of some kind evident on the line if it were pulled out.