I think what we're faced with here in the US is a lack of strictly-enforced vehicle inspection programs and standards at the state level--there are a few, but nothing like in other countries. A lack of public will to do what is best, regardless of any existence of standards (or lack thereof), further contributes to the problem. I need to add that I'm not directing this comment toward anyone in particular, nor do I mean with regard to brake systems only. There are many things that fall into a similar category--it could be windshield condition, tire tread, headlights, seat belts, and MANY more areas that a proper inspection for "certifying" a SAFE vehicle all must be considered.
The Feds do set standards for manufacturers, but in the breadth and size of the country, with individual states having a wide range of populations (people and vehicles), and widely divergent policies regarding intrusion into the private citizen's life, including vehicle ownership, the cost of having some sort of government-imposed and administered inspection program for anything other than large trucks (DOT and ICC regs dictate it, I believe, and require the states to administer it) has taken a back seat to expediency, convenience, and a low threshhold for constructive use of individual owners' time for such inspections, not to mention the added financial burden. Maybe that's what is needed to slow the growth of the vehicle population....
Once a vehicle leaves the manufacturer, alot of things change as far as responsibility, whether it's "right" or not.
I also think the gamble here in the US is that "regular maintenance" will result in fairly low odds of any sort of incident, life-threatening or otherwise, that is directly attributable to a failure such as a repaired brake line, as much as many of us may not like it. Anything that does fail or cause a problem is going to litigation by ambulance-chasing lawyers anyway, since the normal modus operandi here now seems to be that anything that happens is always someone else's fault.
I know I've commented in Forum on brake line repairs before, but whether it's Shane or anyone else isn't the point. It does matter to some of us, and I personally would not make the repair to a damaged line as Mike inquired about--I would replace it.
I've seen compression fittings made out of aluminum and stainless. Do they make flare end splices? I'll probably replace the line, as it only goes to the passenger side caliper. I guess I'll call Classic Tube to see if I can get just that line. BTW, almost every line-lock kit I've seen uses brass flare to 1/8" NPT for hookup.
