Help! Brake line leakage after steel braided line install.
 

I've bought some HEL steel braided lines, very nice, decided to install today.
Had a good read of the DIY thread here, and got to it.

After all done, I was going to bleed each corner (I'd rather do it at the end, it's easier) and noticed that the front left corner was leaking as soon as it got a bit of pressure on it.

I've undone it completely, thinking maybe it's dirty, and done it up again, pretty hard this time (altho I'm not a burly guy so). Same result.

I'm wondering if anyone got any advice, what to do here. It seems it's not leaking at the new fitting, rather just above the hardline ending - see pic.

First picture is the 'normal' state, no pressure.
Second is under pressure, showing where it starts to leak.

Try loosing the flare nut and pulling up on the hardline while you tighten down the flare nut. You may need to remove part of the plastic protector to get good access.

Loosen the nut,
loosen the flexible line from the bracket,
rotate the fitting back and forth against the flare tube to feel for and clear any debris,
seat the nut and fitting with flex line loose,
clamp down the flex line,
properly torque flare nut.


cross fingers.

Thanks gents, I've already tried cleaning & re-seating before - finally I just gave up for now, as I had to have the car in one piece, and put the old line back. Works like a charm. :/ Maybe something is wrong with the HEL line.

But the only way to test it, really, is to swap the two front HEL lines - and I simply don't have the time for this right now.

Thanks for all the suggestions!

yes quite a few guys here had HEL lines and had cracking/leaking issues here in Australia last year


also does not look good here


https://www.facebook.com/importmonst...25568104242620


https://www.google.com.au/search?q=h...s_rd=ssl#spf=1

Oh bummer. Many thanks for the heads-up !

Edit: I've called HEL, turns out the failure they had was on drift cars with extreme lock. But they were also very nice and said they'll organise a replacement line to be sent.

Interesting, as Car Mods Australia - where I bought the lines originally - said to take it off again, take a photo of the hardline to ensure there's no damage on it, before they can look into a replacement.

HEL are being disingenuous (or economical with the truth) when they make those statements. The issue was with a number of cars many of which had never been anywhere near a drift. Having said that this is not likely to be the issue as it was a length/mounting concern not the hardline connection.

+1 That's bullshit.

Why do you need SS braided lines?

Well, the good news is that they've called me back and will express post me two new front lines (new design).

I'll guess that you haven't driven a vehicle with SS braided brake lines. The difference is remarkable.

That being said, no one needs them. Otherwise they'd come stock.

Alright, since you went there, and just for fun... you really should try the improved feedback you get with high quality light-weight aftermarket wheels and tires properly sized to them. ;)

The difference that aftermarket brake lines bring varies by platform, but I have to agree in this case. It definitely helps with the feedback and overall brake feel. I also suspect that not everyone will feel a difference.

This kind of mod reminds me of audiofools, audiophiles, and the general public. Audiofools hear things they can't describe without flowerly non-descriptive language, because the things they hear often don't exist. Audiophiles can usually quantify what they hear in ways that others understand exactly what to listen for, even if they don't hear it themselves at first. And then there's the general public, finding mp3 and bose to be just great...

C

I feel like I'm being judged.

I don't have braided lines. I don't even have a brace. I did design among other things, the brakes on our formula SAE car. I argued against ss lines but was outvoted. :(

Not judged, but perhaps nudged... unless you own Bose, in which case...

Back on topic, I'm already paranoid about brakes... this kind of thing really leaves me unsettled. I check mine nearly every time I swap wheels.