HEL braided brake lines failed

**TrackTiger** · 29th June 2015, 13:46

fitted incorrectly

**astradriver** · 29th June 2015, 14:05

Why do you think so? Aren't they supposed to be direct replacement for factory lines?

**TrackTiger** · 29th June 2015, 14:39

If they are leaking from the point shown in the photo, then I looks like the metal retaining bracket has rubbed through the rubber washer, then through the plastic coating on the lines then the stainless steel braid, then the rubber brake hose. If that is where it's happen it can only be because of incorrect fitment. You will know more when they are off.

can't remember which way round the metal retaining clip fits, but I'm sure mine is fitted different to yours.

**Jebus** · 6th July 2015, 02:20

They look fitted wrong, the retaining clip appears to be on the wrong side of the mounting point, I guess this has not supported the hose properly at this point and caused the issue, from what I remember when I changed the shocks they don't really fit properly on the back side and it wobbled around.

The clip should be fitted on front as in these thread, you will see the hose routes and the clips are caliper side, and you have them fitted on the body side.
http://www.vectra-c.com/forum/showth...itting+braided

**Dog_Book** · 6th July 2015, 07:52

Can't see how clip position can be an issue as all it does is hold a plastic guide for the hose. As long as it's secure it should be ok. I had to bend my clips a little to increase the pressure on the hose guide

**astradriver** · 6th July 2015, 13:49

My car has IDS+ shocks, not sure if there's a difference or not.

Anyway, I got the hoses back and visually I can't see where the crack is. All I can tell is that there seems to be brake fluid between the braided hose and rubber coating but not really on the surface of the hose. I'm going to post them to the seller who will pressure test them.

**brifen** · 8th July 2015, 01:06

You talk about sending them to the seller/importer. Where did you buy them from?

You have to watch what you buy from where as they may not even be genuine.

I've also never seen a set of HEL hoses fail yet. Doesn't mean it can't happen but it sure is not common. As others have commented it looks like it may be bad fitment causing the issue or maybe not the right hoses in the first place (length) if they are being twisted, stretched, rubbed and worn through.

I would measure the length of the hoses you have been supplied and check with the actual manufacturer. The HEL factory is only a matter of miles away from where I live.

**astradriver** · 28th July 2015, 13:57

I bought them from official re-seller for my country, listed on hel site. Anyway, they've come back and they're sending me replacement pipes. The originals will be sent to HEL UK for pressure tests although one had a visible crack and they suspect that one hose was rubbing. That's what they told me, when I visually inspected those hoses I couldn't see anything wrong with them. I'm not sure I'll be putting them back on the car though.