Steel lines and couplers will get the job done, but I bucked the consensus
and bought my brake line (and tooling) here. I've got no association with
these guys except for using their stuff for this one brake line job:

http://www.fedhillusa.com/pages/709975/index.htm

I did an (almost) total replacement this past summer. I still need to
replace the lines down from the master cylinder to the bottom of the van, I
ran tubing (and time) before I got to those... I expect to pull the
dashboard in the near future, when I do, the last bits will get replaced.

The van stops nicely, and no leaks have surfaced, but I can't claim any
long-term testing. I *do* know that my old lines were going to pop if they
saw one more salty winter. There were at least three places where the lines
just snapped while I was pulling them out. For reference, this was on a
1985 van with an upstate NY, PA, and NJ pedigree... you guys in the
southwest probably have nothing to worry about.

The tooling is quite expensive, but I got a couple of sets of dies, and I
can order more if I need to do different sizes/styles of flares for other
vehicles. I tried a hand-held flaring tool that was supposed to make bubble
flares, but I got 'flattened' bubbles and scored lines... I decided my life
was worth investing in a good tool.

YMMV

Tim

At 09:25 AM 1/30/2006 -0800, you wrote:
>I thought the consensus was: steel hard lines and braided stainless flex
>hoses.Cost effective and high performance.
>
>On 1/30/06, JAIME E FORERO <jforero@sbcglobal.net> wrote:
> >
> > Hi, from the emails on this subject I gather that steel braided brake
> > lines are not recommended and that even might not be DOT approved.  Who has
> > experience with the steel braided hoses??  I am interested in changing over
> > but now I am not sure.
> >   Thanks
> >   Jaime
> >
> > robertmstewart <robertmstewart@MAC.COM> wrote:
> >   So, I a couple of days ago my mechanic did a tune-up for me and I asked
> > him
> > to check the brakes.
> >
> > He told me that the brake lines are very rusty (which surprised me since
> > the
> > previous owners mechanic who also owned the van told me he replaced them),
> > and my local Long Island mechanic worried that if the line gets a pin hole
> > it will need to be replaced.
> >
> > So I am wanted top get some feedback:
> >
> > 1. What is the cost for the metal brake tubing for a complete replacement?
> > 2. What would you estimate the time to be to do the replacement?
> > 3. Can steel braided lines be used for the entire Van? Would this be a
> > better long term investment?
> > 4. If the steel braided lines are best what length, connectors and what
> > kind
> > of lines would I purchase, and does anyone have a source?
> >
> > The mechanic also told me that the bleeders on the calipers looked very
> > rusty and worried that the calipers might need replacement as well.
> >
> > He said the brakes were fine but if the lines sprung a leak it would be a
> > big job.
> >
> > I am looking for feedback on the best way to go, I do not want sell the
> > van,
> > I would like to complete the repairs necessary.
> >
> > Thanks in advance.
> >
> >
> > --
> > Rob
> > NYC/Long Beach, NY
> > 88 Wolfsburg, Silver
> >
>
>
>
>--
>Jake
>1984 Vanagon GL
>1986 Westy Weekender "Dixie"
>www.crescentbeachguitar.com