> the teflon is sensitive
> to kinking, once it's kinked it's permanently weakened.
True enough, but very unlikely to happen when properly installed in normal
service. The issue was a DOT "whip test" where they anchored the line only
by one fitting and snapped it back and forth; not at all representative of
normal service. Of course you have to be sure they can't be pulled tight at
the extremes of steering and suspension movement, but that is an issue with
any brake line.
At any rate, I've been running Teflon/braided stainless lines on several
different cars since around 1990, and I have never had any sort of failure
with them. The improvement in pedal "feel" was not huge, but I could tell
the difference. It just about compensates for the slightly softer pedal
caused by using DOT 5 brake fluid. (Which also conveniently ducks the
requirement for periodic changes.)
I would seriously consider them for any application where the OE hoses
failed in less than 20 years. That kind of failure on an 8 or 9 year old
vehicle is simply inexcusable IMO, and worthy of a report to the NHTSA. If
you call up the local Ford dealer and suggest that, I suspect they would be
willing to replace all 3 or 4 hoses, quickly and free of charge. There may
even be a "silent warranty" in place.
-- Randall
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