SS Brake Lines from Pelican, DOT & non-DOT Options

[thomasotten]

Can anyone tell me which of these two sets of brake lines from Pelican are the better ones. One is DOT approved, and cheaper, and the other isn't approved and a few more dollars.

Stainless Steel Brake Line Set, DOT Approved, Includes Front and Rear Lines, 914 1.7/1.8/2.0 (1972-1976), 914-6 (1972 on), Each
SS914D $49.25

Stainless Steel Brake Line Set, Non-DOT Approved, Includes Front and Rear Lines, 914 1.7/1.8/2.0 (1972-1976), 914-6 (1972 on), Each

$54.50

[lapuwali]

Stainless lines get dirt worked into the braid, and esp. at the ends, this dirt works away at the teflon inner line and will eventually cause sudden, total failure. I've had this happen, and it's not at all fun. The DOT versions of the lines have protective plastic covering all or part of the braid (at least the ends), to keep out this dirt, and substantially reduce the possibility of catastrophic failure.

This process takes a good long time (unless you spend a lot of time off-road or in very dusty environments); long enough that a racer will probably serve out its entire lifetime w/o a failure. In a road car, 2-3 years maybe be enough, and it's pretty hard to spot the damage until the line fails.

I've made my own braided lines in the past (actually pretty easy to do), and protect them with clear plastic tubing along the entire length of the braid, covering the ends. This keeps dirt out of the braid, and keeps the braid from rubbing the paint off everything it touches.