ATTENTION ALL HEL BRAKE LINE USERS!!!!

[Dan2020]

I've stolen this from civiclife as this could affect members on here!!

It was posted by Import Trung who is a trader and well respected at that:

ATTENTION ALL HEL BRAKE LINE USERS!!!!

CHECK YOUR HEL BRAIDED BRAKE LINES NOW!!!!!!!

This was bought to my attention by my customer when he went for a MOT test.
My customer drives an Accord Type R. I fitted a set of HEL braided brake lines to his car less than 11 months/10,000 mile ago.
During the MOT test visual inspection, the MOT tester points out that his brake lines are cracking, then it went onto the brake roller test, when maximum brake pressure as applied, one of the brake lines burst and squirted brake fluid all over the inside of the wheel. Instant failure.
The old brake lines were refitted to get the car through the MOT.
This is when i got the phone call about the situation.

I went to check out the brake lines, and whilst i was there, i thought it would be a good idea to check over 2 other cars that i fitted HEL braided lines to.

heres the pics of the offending items on the ATR.

The 2 other cars were: Accord Type R and Integra Type R.

The ATR had the HEL brake lines fitted less than 9 months ago, with less than 6000 miles on them,
The ITR had the HEL brake lines fitted less than 6 months ago, with less than 6000 miles on them.

BOTH of them showed signs of cracking/splitting.
The ATR had 1 brake line (OSF) which was cracking in the same place as the ATR which failed on the mot.

the ITR had started cracking on both front brake lines where the brake line support bolts to the suspension.

pics of the 2nd ATR brake lines

offside front brake line

pics of the ITR brake lines

offside

nearside

The fault seems to stem from the design. namely the support bracket which bolts to the suspension.
the OEM brake line has a bracket which is at a fixed point on the brake line, whereas the HEL brake line has bracket which slides up and down the length of the brake line.
When the HEL brake line is fitted, and the bracket bolted onto the suspension, the problem occurs when you turn the steering wheel. as you turn into the brake line, the brake line does not slide in the bracket, but as you turn away from the brake line, the brake line is pulled tight as it slides in the bracket to stretch as the caliper moves further away from the chassis.
but as you turn back into the brake line, the tension isn't released, the brake line isn't fed back through the bracket and over time, it seems this is what is causing the cracking/splitting, which leads to it eventually bursting.

I have sent an email to HEL to see what they have to say on the problem.

but in the meantime, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE CHECK YOUR BRAKE LINES!!!!!!!

i'm relieved that the ATR brake line burst on the MOT rollers and not on the road when braking hard with his baby daughter in the back seat.
but quite suprised that HEL lines would fail after such short duration of usage.

 

[rodney]

:shock:

Good post,I'm sure people will be checking their hel hoses. I would hope to think that they will jump on it double quick time and recall them if that's possible. As mentioned doesn't bear thinking about if you've put the anchors on to find you can't stop :?

 

[C&S Evo7]

Thanks for posting,
its quite interesting, almost exactly the same was happening to goodrich hoses a couple of years ago.

 

[blueguy]

Thanks for posting this.
The ATR lines are very worrying but the ITR pictures are only showing a cracked casing... I'm not sure what that's supposed to prove.
It could be a dodgy batch. I'd be interested to hear what Hel come back with.

 

[Dixcelbrake]

As I said on DC2 forum, this might just caused by the poor fitting on one of the HEL manufacture. It seem like someone had cut the end outer plastic too much before insert the sleeve. All HEL have life time warrantee if you spot something not right with your line you can always get a free replacement

Dixon

 

[jammy84]

HEL have local manufacturers. Gerry @ Performancetek is the manufacturer of HEL here in Glasgow, dont know about any other areas. perhaps the problem lies with some manufacturers not following creation guidlines on building the lines because at the end of the day, its just a few pieces needing joined together, and perhaps some are not cutting the main steel line to the exact right length.
I did NOT get my HELs from Gerry, I got them from elsewhere. My HELs having been doing exactly what your describing from the first couple of weeks of installation, but I didnt think the problem was as serious as this, I thought it was just a case of the outer red plastic just coming off which im not hugely bothered about.
Are you sure this plastic coming off means that the hoses are weakened and more inclined to breakage??

Also on this subject, the HELs are a terrible fitment, the fittings onto the calipers are not identical to the rubber brake lines. And the lack of twistability due to being stainless steel makes this problem 10x worse.

 

[blueguy]

I don't know about fitment as one of Dixon's guys fitted mine (great job too), but after 6 months my Hels are still in perfect condition.

I'm glad there hasn't been any scaremongering on the thread as I'm sure it was intended as a 'best to check your lines and see what the outcome is of Hel's investigation'.

If I were to go back in time, I would still only get Hels (unless there was a major fault with the product design found) or the kit Tom gets made up.

 

[Dixcelbrake]

The whole plastic outer skin can be completely remove and it won't affect the performance or make be become weaker as the crimping is only securing the metal fitting together, the outer skin is for add on colour and prevent rust. If you can see the plastic skin coming out then you can always get another one for free, all you need to do is contact HEL hq and they will send the new fittings to your nearest HEL manufacture outlet and they should be get them to replace and fit it for you foc.

If you are in Scotland, then performance tek is the closest one to you, we only cover up the whole London area.

Dixon

 

[Dan2020]

As already said, the plastic casing cracking does not affect the brake lines at all. The problem is the wear on the braided lines themselves as seen on the ATR.

Not meant to scare anyone but worth a look at your lines every once in a while to make sure they are ok.

 

[jay82]

Thanks for posting,
its quite interesting, almost exactly the same was happening to goodrich hoses a couple of years ago.

did goodrich fix the problem

 

[donkeykong]

Checked mine, no problems so far

fitted them 1 year ago 6000 miles

 

[Kinli]

Also on this subject, the HELs are a terrible fitment, the fittings onto the calipers are not identical to the rubber brake lines. And the lack of twistability due to being stainless steel makes this problem 10x worse.

Exactly!
This is really poor fitment. I guess It's best to get some brake lines from japan (spoon, project mu, mugen etc.) as these just won't cut it.

(sorry, not a perfect picture of the problem, but you might get the idea).

ps. I can't see the pics? can someone host them on another server or something?

 

[Allen]

I had Goodridge on my DC5. One burst when I first took it for a drive.

I was planning on getting Hel but now im not sure what to get

 

[pulpmelon_r]

Mine did the same - avoid!

 

[Allen]

Dont buy cheap(er) braided hoses is the answer I think.

Goodridge...

Sorry about poor focus

 

[MilanoChris]

Oh dear.

TGM do custom brake lines, give them a try.

 

[Kinli]

Just ordered some Project Mu brake lines to replace the HELs.

 

[EK9turbo]

The whole plastic outer skin can be completely remove and it won't affect the performance or make be become weaker as the crimping is only securing the metal fitting together, the outer skin is for add on colour and prevent rust. .....

....Dixon

I have to disagree with this, there is a fundamental reason that exposed braided brake lines are not used from the factory.. this is because when dirt, grit and debris gets under the braiding it literally acts as an abrasive between the braiding and the actual teflon tubing eventually causing the brake line to fail.

With regard to failures, Ive seen various from incorectly swaged (pressed) lines.

I always use Hose-Depot (Swear by them!) for making custom brake lines amonst other hose requirements, they have about 25years of experience and produce lines and hose setups for alot of kit car manufacturers and some very well known tuning companies in the industry alongsie heavy industrial hoses for rediculous pressures ...and I never hear of failures nor have I ever experienced any on customers cars or my own with them.

Hose Depot can be contacted on 01302 746969 (Paul).

 

[brucey87]

try Do-Luck braided hoses iv had mine for 2 years now and no probs so far

 

[kenzie 67]

A wee bit worried as ive just purchased HEL brake lines :? Il give them a proper looking over before putting them on and keep a close eye on them for any signs of cracking/damage. Cheers for the heads up like!!