I know this is NOT a Silverado forum, but I had to share my non-Monte project of the weekend. This is a truck my dad and I co-own, we bought it in 2019. We got it as a spare vehicle AND great to have when you actually need a truck (no more arranging to bug a friend). When we bought it, it needed a brake line, we went and used the Dorman stainless steel brake line kit. The kit is nice, but not sure if it was me or the kit, but I remember it being a pain routing the lines to the ABS pump (side note, that pump is in a HORRIBLE spot on the frame rail). We also bought the Dorman Stainless Steel replacement fuel lines (we knew it was going to need them and well, three years later, here we are).

Some back ground, years ago I helped a friend replace the fuel lines on his 2003 GMC Sierra (same truck). He used the AC Delco OEM replacement lines. Because of that ABS pump issue, we cut the lines, flared them and used rubber fuel line and clamps to reconnect (that was MANY years ago, truck is still running with no fuel line issues).

Back to this.... Dorman has a 2 minute video and if I recall they said difficulty is moderate and install is 1-2 hours. I think we are in the 4-6 hour range (including a lunch break). There are some things I wish I had pics of. Removal of the old lines had 2 problem spots. Finding the right touch to disconnect the quick connect for the vapor line under the hood. Second, fuel supply line from the nylon tube going from the tank to the metal line. When it came out, it brought a plastic retainer that I spent some quality time getting free, but I got it. I also used 3+ feet of socket extension to reach a nut holding a retaining bracket.

New install, pretty awesome! Sure, you had the usual stuff like "here's a wiring harness and I am on the wrong side of that" or, I go back to BAD placement of the ABS pump. The new lines were in three sections. The front-to-middle section had flex lines you had to connect (which is where GM had flex lines) and the middle-to-back had some unions. My ONLY complaint, one of the flex line was kinking, so I took the hard line out of a couple retainers to help get better spacing. But, over all, awesome. It's done and NO leaks!

 

Those new lines look really pretty!

 

If you're in a salty area, be prepared to have to do the brake lines sometime too... I had to have my brake lines changed in my 01 Sierra after I sprayed mud off one of the lines...

 

Stainless is a wonderful thing! I wish factory brake and fuel lines were stainless due to the safety issues when they fail. Heck, surprised the EPA doesn't jump on that one!
BTW - My blue Monte as of last year also has stainless brake and fuel lines. One tiny issue and I said "never again" lol.

So we bought the truck New Year's day 2019, it needed a brake line. So we used the Dorman pre-bent stainless brake lines back then. We actually bought the fuel line kit at the same time but delayed it. Well, we were now forced to stop delaying. Not sure if it was me or an issue with the brake line kit, but I had a bear getting the lines to go over the frame rail to the booster. Routing was a mess, but they are in and working. This truck shouldn't have brake or fuel line issue again! Winning!

 

Nice, glad you won't have to worry about that again! Getting the lines snaked in place is quite difficult that's for sure.

 

Been a while since I did this on the truck. I recall some of the lines being a pain snaking around things, like the fuel tank. But the routing at the ABS pump is one of the worst parts. Definitely HAPPY to have have solid brake and fuel lines!

I used pre-bent stainless lines on my blue Monte Carlo. Only one spot was tricky (getting them into the retainers as they go up and around one of the front wheels). But outside of that, the Monte was a breeze. I even removed all the old lines without issues (no bending or breaking, aside from the one line that was actually bad and prompted that mess).

 

As much as I dislike additional oversight/ mandates, I agree that would be a good one. Theres really not a huge cost delta to the consumer (especially at the volumes OEMs buy at - particularly if they were all forced to switch) and it would certainly make used cars safer in thr rust belt.

 

I have said the same thing about the cost. When I looked at prebent stainless vs prebent non-stainless in aftermarket options, exactly as you said, the cost delta was next to nothing (maybe $20-$30 to the consumer, which I bet was a significant mark up because of the material). Funny, my dad's impala has brake lines that look like that have a plastic-like coating. When hist fuel lines failed (and we switched to nylon from front to back), the brake lines look like the coating is working. But it REALLY makes me wonder "the cost it took to make that coating what is the cost difference in just using stainless and the pros/cons to both". I also asked "why JUST the brake lines and NOT fuel lines". I also saw a Ford with brake line coating like that and it was rusting under that coating! Now, I have heard Ford supposedly uses stainless for fuel lines. I was recently replacing a brake line on a friend's 1997 Lincoln Towncar. I noticed the fuel lines looked brand new, despite the rust. So either stainless or aluminum (which I doubt it was aluminum).

Just weird. Granted, I am sure the auto manufacturers DON'T want to do that because the risk of brake/fuel line issues is part of a motivator for some people to get a new vehicle. Still, seems weird with ALL the EPA and Safety regulations, stainless lines are not one of them (like air bags and seat belts).