Front brakes need to be done on my car (as well as the rear parking brakes). Decided to do the brake lines while I'm in there. None of them look bad, but they are 27+ years old. I've read a lot of threads across several forums and it looks like almost every manufacturer (Raybestos, Centric, AC Delco, Dorman, even ATE) is rebranding Sunsong chinese brake lines... anyone have any experience to share (or brands to recommend)?

Despite the drawbacks of stainless, I'm sorely tempted by this US company:

https://www.technafitstore.com/Mercedes-braided-brake-lines-s/1878.htm

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1991 300D 2.5 "Rocinante"
2002 Golf TDI "Teen Spirit"
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1984 300D
1966 Mustang I6 3sp
1985 Mazda RX-7 GSLSE
1982 Toyota Supra
1977 Datsun 280z
1971 Datsun 240z

Replacement hoses for the W115, ordered from the main dealer, were made in Germany. Just an FYI - not 100% if the US dealers will supply the same.

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Why I will never do business with "DieselKraut" again

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/mercedes-benz-used-parts-sale-wanted/378935-why-i-will-never-do-business-dieselkraut-again.html

good hate damn communist crap

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1999 w140, quit voting to old, and to old to fight, a god damned veteran, deutschland deutschland uber alles uber alles in der welt

B:

1) What drawbacks do you perceive with teflon/stainless braid brake lines?

2) The location in Brownsburg, IN of TechnaFit, the assembler of the lines, suggests that they may be a supplier to the US racing industry. That said, they apparently are not fully conversant with M-B chassis designations. Their kit listings use sales designations that in some instances include more than one chassis type in the same kit. That is likely to lead to lines of incorrect length for at least one of the applications. Their prices are fair, but if ordering from them the matter of chassis type would have to be sorted out.

These hoses, I believe, are high quality...

Deerfield Precision

Also known as WRXTRA as mentioned on some forums.

Tomorrow I'll be starting replacement of the rear hoses on my 95 E300D with this brand, plus changing the pads, fluid ( with Motive pressure bleeder ). Doing this due to age of components plus trying to find cause of soft brake pedal. Hopefully the power flush will take care of the soft pedal.

I have been using the Chinese lines from brand named; mostly Raybestos on my other vehicles for like 20 years with no issues.

Unlike a lot of other parts the Brake Hoses have to meet a DOT spec.

That is just my experience not a recommendation.

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84 300D, 82 Volvo 244Gl Diesel

Tg:

Deerfield, as with TechnaFit, does not identify the chassis type. For instance, the rear hoses for "SEL" could be for W108, W126, W140. Each chassis requires different hoses.

Less concerned about these as they are coated... read a fair bit that uncoated lines allow dirt to work into the braids eventually breaking down the hose inside.

Checking a few sites, genuine MB lines are as much (if not a bit more) than the TechnaFit.

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1991 300D 2.5 "Rocinante"
2002 Golf TDI "Teen Spirit"
--------------------
1984 300D
1966 Mustang I6 3sp
1985 Mazda RX-7 GSLSE
1982 Toyota Supra
1977 Datsun 280z
1971 Datsun 240z

The trend is towards more and more Chinese sourced parts. You buy some of the big three vehicles new today. They will have a lot of them.

I see more and more components being manufactured in China all the time. Quality will depend on what the vendors want. If a vendor wants maximum mark up they can specify poor quality.

Some companies will specify a decent quality to keep their business names intact. My point is not all items manufactured in China are sub standard. In some areas they actually exceed in quality. What was produced in other countries over the years.

I suspect at this time the original equipment for tire manufacturing is being sent there. When I was looking at snow tires reciently many of the big names have made in China on their tires now. The companies are not going there primarily because of cheap labor. It is far more complex than that. What is bothersome to me is the trend is not even slowing down I suspect. Many products that have left north America where not really labor intensive to manufacture as well.

I had changed my soft brake lines last year. My brakes were just fine but right after the change I didnote they felt rock hard so the old ones maybe were stretching a little. I just went with 7 dollar cortex hoses and expect them to last 15 yrs.

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92 e300d2.5t
01 e320
05 cdi
85 chev c10

In what way? I see no reason to go there at all besides cheap labor.

- Peter.

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2021 Chevrolet Spark
Formerly...
2000 GMC Sonoma
1981 240D 4spd stick. 347000 miles. Deceased Feb 14 2021
2002 Kia Rio. Worst crap on four wheels
1981 240D 4spd stick. 389000 miles.
1984 123 200
1979 116 280S
1972 Cadillac Sedan DeVille
1971 108 280S

China has been the world center for manufacturing for decades now. Initially this was due to labor costs. Today it still is because of the expertise and sheer engineering resources available and lack thereof in the west as a result. Buy Chinese manufactured with confidence and don’t get wrapped around the axle by 1950’s politics. Leave that to the politicians. Love him or hate him, this is one thing potus has taken issue with which is fine by me.

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Rindfleischetikettierungsüberwachungsaufgabenübertragungsgesetz

World center of cheap garbage, sure. World center of quality parts. Really? I've heard plenty of folks claim that. I've yet to see a single example of one.

- Peter.

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2021 Chevrolet Spark
Formerly...
2000 GMC Sonoma
1981 240D 4spd stick. 347000 miles. Deceased Feb 14 2021
2002 Kia Rio. Worst crap on four wheels
1981 240D 4spd stick. 389000 miles.
1984 123 200
1979 116 280S
1972 Cadillac Sedan DeVille
1971 108 280S

Recently I’ve seen some really good parts coming out of China.

Then at the same time, I’ve gotten some total crap made probably by child slave labor from China.

The problem I see is consistency. It is hit and miss. I’ll get something that is “dang, this is really good for the price.” Then I’ll get “dang, this was a waste of natural resources because it goes straight from the shipping container to my dumpster.”

Mission critical stuff is scary.

Edit - I’m not sure about auto parts, but Shenzhen is THE place for smartphone parts. Apple can wring quality out of their vendors there with enough client pressure. Try making an iPhone 11 in the US. A lot will have to be built up to get it here.

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79 300TD “Old Smokey” AKA “The Mistake” (SOLD)
82 240D stick shift 335k miles (SOLD)
82 300SD 300k miles
85 300D Turbodiesel 170k miles
97 C280 147k miles

PJ

The range of Chinese goods is vast and includes iron, steel, aluminum, textiles, cement, chemicals, toys, electronics, rail cars, aircraft and many other products. ... It is also the biggest producer of solar cells, shoes, cellphones and ships.