Flexible brake lines - age question

[cattlerepairman]

Since going fast is nice, but stopping is far more important, I decided to replace, amongst other things, all flex lines on the new-to-me truck.

I obtained "new" brake hoses as a complete set from a seller that is mentioned around here once in a while and sells on ePay. When the parcel arrived, I was a little miffed to discover that they are obviously NOS. They are clean, not cracked but stamped with what looks like a 1996 manufacturing date.

Should I send them to the museum or never mind and use them? They are in much better condition than what is on the truck, that is a given.

 

[jesusgatos]

I'm leaning towards taking measurements of all the flexible lines and figuring out what fittings they use, so that I can source some high-quality aftermarket brake lines.

 

[gimpyrobb]

Some trucks have original equipment on them still. NOS is still technically "new". If you can flex it and it doesn't crack, I'd run it.

 

[WillWagner]

Ditto on what gimpy said. As long as they are flexible, have no cracks in them and the inside isn't swollen shut, you're golden. I replaced mine with NOS from AVTE and they are fine.

 

[Bill W]

Half the ones I bought are nos or new production and they seem fine when compared to each other
You'll also want to check the hard (steel) lines to, I just replaced the main fwd and aft (5/16th) steel lines as I went to put a wrench on the rear one and it just broke off in my hand

 

[cattlerepairman]

Thanks for the confirmations! I will use the flex lines.

As for the steel lines, I paid close attention when I bled the brakes for any rust flakes, gunk or the like and the brake fluid came out nice and clean. The truck is a southern truck that most certainly has never seen road salt. The underside looks pristine, with only very little surface rust here and there.
I inspected the lines I could see and they appear fine. When I put the wrench to them I will see a bit more. I would just hate to rip them off without good reason.

 

[Bill W]

"The truck is a southern truck that most certainly has never seen road salt. The underside looks pristine, with only very little surface rust here and there."

Go ahead and rub it in!!!!
My truck came from Michigan...what a mess!

 

[littlebob]

Half the ones I bought are nos or new production and they seem fine when compared to each other
You'll also want to check the hard (steel) lines to, I just replaced the main fwd and aft (5/16th) steel lines as I went to put a wrench on the rear one and it just broke off in my hand

Not to steal or put this thread in a different direction, but I changed a few of my metal lines with ones premade from NAPA. afterwards I found they need to be
flared in a special way to be used with the high pressures a brake system puts out.
I havn't had a chance yet to see if I have to change or put the proper flare on them.

 

[Bill W]

If your talking about the lines being double flared, The NAPA metal lines I just bought are already made that way

 

[cranetruck]

From PS Magazine.

 

[sti-nkr]

Revival! I need the sizes on those fore and aft main lines. someone said 5/16th's. is that the steel line diameter?

 

[rmgill]

I rather want to get some aeroquip steel braided lines.

 

[DMaddox]

I just went though my brake system and replace all lines, steel and rubber.
The main lines i.e from the master cylinder to the airpack out to the splitter behind the spare tire then out to the rubber lines to the axles. All 5/16, the lines across the axles 1/4.