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[Lou@TDI-North]

I noticed this problem when we first started using HEL products. I used to use cable ties on the line in an attempt to stop them pulling through, seemed to work ok.

The problem with the goodridge lines is that they are too short, i suppose that is what is happening here with the hel lines pulling through the mount bracket.

I hope these issues can be sorted and that nobody gets hurt due to a failure.

[Performancetek]

I manufacture, sell and fit around 20 HEL kits per month.Ive never had any come back to use with a failure in the two years Ive been using them.

The cracked outer sheath is not a safety issue, its there purely for Aesthetics. However, we have changed supplier in order to remedy this.

All the bursts weve seen appear to be a result of the hose tugging on the bulkhead connector. This would (should) be noticed upon testing of the lines when fitted, Im sure anyone would agree.

[Aaron Coady]

I manufacture, sell and fit around 20 HEL kits per month.Ive never had any come back to use with a failure in the two years Ive been using them.

The cracked outer sheath is not a safety issue, its there purely for Aesthetics. However, we have changed supplier in order to remedy this.

All the bursts weve seen appear to be a result of the hose tugging on the bulkhead connector. This would (should) be noticed upon testing of the lines when fitted, Im sure anyone would agree.

You manufacture HEL?

[Performancetek]

Yeah, I have a franchise in scotland.

I read this and though I should post my opinions and ideas.

If a hose bursts as a result of pressure then it would be a manufacturing fault. In this case, it looks like the hose has been under strain. If it was a problem with the product, every set would fail in this manner as it wouldnt take long for them to burst if the hose was pulling on the connector. I feel that it may be an oversight in fitting. Ive never had problems with any I have fitted, but I do throughly test them, on full lock both ways, with the suspension at both extremes. One way I could imagine the hoses not sitting as they should is if the bracket on the hub/damper gets bent upon removal of the original hose, which is easily done as sometimes they require a lot of torque to slacken them if the bolt is corroded.

[Lou@TDI-North]

The problem is, there is no way of stopping the lines from pulling through the mounting bracket on the hub. They are allowed to slde through the gap, which seems like a good idea, but when on full lock, the line can get stuck on the braket rather than pull through, and then put strain on the fittings.

I have only ever had one manufacturing defect with the HEL kits, but I cant begin to think of the number of Goodridge lines that i have seen that are too short for the EP3.

All in all im a fan of HEL performance products :thumbup:

[andy-l-type-r]

can anyone get the picture of the broken lines on first page back up?

[Carlos420uk]

Just wanted to chime in here. I had the Hel lines on my car and had the same problem with the outer plastic sheathing cracking/splitting after only 5k miles or so! Wasn't too impressed tbh. Although I removed the damaged piece of sheath and the metal braid underneth was fine.

I personally think its more of a problem on lowered cars as the joint where the line fits to the hardpipe is under more stress than stock due to the lower ride height pulling up/stressing on it when the car is sat on the ground at lower ride height.

Personally I think that the lines could do with being about 2" longer or so, as then they are under less stress from the suspension compressing / wheel turning due to the longer line.

[Newannaive]

Here you go folks...here is the problem with the HEL brake lines...on full lock they are under far too much stress.

[mat]

i don't know if my lines are different to all yours, but mine are fine after about 5k miles, in-fact they still look brand new???



mat.

[Newannaive]

They don't look like that on full lock..?

[mat]

tbh mate i haven't check full lock, but there is no sign of wear, cracking, splits or anything, they still look 'box-fresh'- will have a better look tomorrow...

will jack the car up, axle stands on front sills, take the wheels off and have a lock to lock check.



mat.

[Newannaive]

do it while car is on the floor mate...scooch down.

[mat]

do you think it will be easy enough to see with the wheels on? if so i can do it in an hour or so (at work at the mo)

is it because the cables are not long enough, or is it because the hoses are snagging on the black plastic connector halfway down the hose?



mat.

[Newannaive]

I've not had a proper look fella, was just under there adjusting the dampers earlier and saw how stretched it is so took a quick pic...don't know how much slack is between the clip and caliper. But yes, as it sits there now they are too short.

[mat]

i wonder if mine are longer, i have had a good look at them and couldn't see any problems with them at all, like i say they still look new...

i'll have a gander on my next break with full lock.



mat.

[mat]

i've just been outside and my lines look nothing at all like yours on full lock, in-fact there is play in the line at full lock, there is no tension what-so-ever on either line at full lock either way :scratch:

maybe mine are longer???


mat.

[Newannaive]

cheers mat...maybe they are then. I am up at unit 8 next week anyway for other stuff and stevie is going to sort it for me, so will know more then. :thumbup:

[mat]

when yours were fitted did you measure them against the OEM lines?

when my mate fitted mine we measured them up and they were about an inch longer than the OEM lines.


mat.

[Newannaive]

when yours were fitted did you measure them against the OEM lines?

when my mate fitted mine we measured them up and they were about an inch longer than the OEM lines.


mat.

I didn't measure them mate, no. Should have really.

[mat]

mine look like this and stay looking like this on full lock either way:




the only things i can think of are:

A: some of you guys have hoses that are too short.

or,

B: you may have the back hoses on the front brakes? < not likely tbh, but worth a try.


mat.