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Protecting brake lines with protective wrap

11K views 22 replies 15 participants last post by  4W2FJC  
#1 ·
What's your guy's opinion on wrapping brake line with this kind of plastic wrap? Is it worth the effort? The only issue I could see is the brake line getting hot and melting. Considering the wrap is plastic, it wouldn't provide a whole of protection.. except against maybe mud!

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#2 · (Edited)
For 'protecting' which brake lines ... hard lines, or flex lines out to the calipers?

And protecting them from what?

If use of this inexpensive, readily-available material was of any value, you would see it widely used in motorsports.

For the steel hardlines, it would likely be a disaster in any areas where it's frequently wet or especially in the rust belt, where the convolutions in the 'wrap' would hold water or road salt in close contact with the line, accelerating corrosion.
 
#5 ·
"opinion on wrapping brake line with this kind of plastic wrap?" - no point to it, never heard of anyone doing it for the reasons stated in original post (no temp protection is required, or provided, some minor impact protection would be provided by a plastic wire harness wrap, but not sure why you think you need it)

If you have concern for severe enough impact to damage the steel brake hard lines, re-route them inside of the cabin (as is done on race/rally vehicles).

4W2FJC's link above might be worth putting on the flex lines, on a race/rally vehicle. Or better yet, fit stainless steel braided flex lines for roughly the same benefit plus the added benefit of firmer brake pedal. Note the ABS sensors wiring is probably more fragile and more exposed to damage than the brake hoses are.
 
#10 ·
I'd love to know how in the hell you're supposed to install those spring gravel guards on brake lines with installed fittings. :oops:

But Amazon does sell the stainless steel versions for these guards, which people seem to like, but I'm assuming they're putting them on, then putting the fittings on afterward and flaring the ends. But I've never had good luck making a reliable double flare on a small steel brake line, ever. Copper, yes. Steel, no.