A COMPLETE TECHNICAL COMPARISON ON TYPES OF BRAKE LINES AND FITTINGS
                     A COMPLETE TECHNICAL COMPARISON ON TYPES 
OF BRAKE LINES AND FITTINGS
Mark Sanford
Writer at Brake System
University(https://brakesystems.autopartsu.com/) 
providing advice, reviews and information on brake 
system components including replacement brake 
lines, replacement ABS sensors, replacement brake 
line kits.
AN OVERVIEW OF THE BRAKING SYSTEM
Brake lines and fittings are a very important component of any braking 
system on any type of modern vehicle. Since the brake system is a sealed 
system that starts in the master cylinder where the brake fluid lives and 
then travels down the brake lines to the wheels and through the flexible 
brake hoses into the calipers or wheel cylinders, there must be no leaks in 
the lines for proper functioning. One small leak can predict brake failure in 
the near future.
SIGNS OF A FAILING BRAKE LINE
Faulty brake lines of any type will give you a few signs that they are 
punctured, leaking, or cracked before your brake system is completely 
failing to stop you. You may notice brake fluid leaks that happen when you 
apply the brakes or you may notice puddles of brake fluid on a garage floor 
or driveway where you park. You can slide a large piece of cardboard 
under the vehicle when you park so you will know that the fluid is coming 
from your particular vehicle if you don’t park in one designated spot. You 
may have the brake light on your dash come on when the fluid drops 
below a certain level to alert you to a leak. If the vehicle is driven in cold 
climates where salt is used on the roads for ice and snow, the lines can 
corrode much more quickly and weaken them, which leads to leaks.
COPPER-NICKEL TUBING BRAKE LINES
A copper brake line is the best quality brake lines you can buy for a longer-
lasting life on any vehicle, farm vehicle and industrial vehicles alike. Copper 
tubing is easy to replace because it is a pliable and bendable product that 
can make bends and turns without breaking. Copper tubing is also the 
toughest material in brake lines so it will last the entire life of the vehicle it 
is installed on. This material doesn’t rust and it also has the highest burst 
strength making it a great product for any application. Farm equipment 
and industrial equipment must remain in perfect working order on a daily 
basis to perform the duties they should and copper tubing is the answer to 
this.
POLYVINYL COATED BRAKE LINES
When standard steel brake lines are covered with a revolutionary PVF 
technology in a polyvinyl fluoride coating, it makes them much stronger, 
more durable, and longer-lasting. This coating provides up to 30 times 
more corrosion and rust protection than standard steel brake lines, and it 
meets the safety standards of SAE J527B specifications for a great product. 
It is commonly called a PVF brake line.
STANDARD STEEL BRAKE LINES
A steel brake line is a less expensive option, but they are also only worth 
what they cost. Steel brake lines are stronger than OEM brake lines, but 
they are subject to corrosion and breaking and they are harder to install 
because they are less flexible than other types of soft brake lines so their 
connection to each brake part needs close monitoring.
OEM BRAKE LINES AND FITTINGS
OEM brake lines that are installed when a vehicle is manufactured are the 
lesser of all the quality items for your hydraulic braking systems. They are 
basic rubber or rubber brake lines wrapped in a steel mesh. The rubber 
lines can swell with age and then burst all of a sudden with no warning. 
The steel mesh wrapping has a job to keep the rubber from swelling and 
breaking, but it’s hard to find a leak or puncture area in a mesh wrapped 
hose.
This comparison of the types of brake lines available should help you to 
choose a brake line kit that fits your needs and your budget.
About Brake System U
Brake System University is a micro site giving advice, reviews, and technical 
information on various brake system components like brake lines, brake 
line kits, and ABS sensors. Brake System University connects you to high 
quality, genuine brake system replacement parts including  replacement 
brake lines, replacement ABS sensors, replacement brake line kits that 
have been tested and reviewed by experts. If you want to replace any 
component of your brake system, then this 
site(https://brakesystems.autopartsu.com/) will helps you in choosing the 
right component. Brake System University connects you to trusted reviews 
and referrals to help you easily make a purchase decision.