PSU_Vette

I'm looking to do an HPDE at Willow Springs in a couple of months and I was wondering if I should switch to stainless steel brake lines. I've done a couple of HPDEs so far and some hard canyon driving with no issues. I'm just trying to find out if it's worth the effort. If so, what brand do you recommend?

Racingswh

Yes you should. My wife destroyed her car in April when the 2010 17,000 mile GS left front factory brake line failed at the crimp fitting. She was at Jefferson Circuit and barrel rolled the car 4 times after she went off. If she hadn't been in harnesses she most surely would have been ejected. She had done about 5 DE events with the car. I will now be treating ALL brake lines meaning even stainless lines as wear items and changing them out every season. I am through with using components to failure.

Goodridge and Stoptech seem to be often used.

c4cruiser

Are the lines now in the car original? Year of car? If so, definitely replace them!!

SS lines typically give the pedal a slightly firmer feel. Goodridge lines and Earls' are quality products. I don't know anything about Stoptech, but they may be Goodridge lines in a different package.

And it would be a good time to do a complete brake fluid flush. Use a good DOT4 fluid like Motul, ATE TYP200, or other fluids that are mentioned here.

CHJ In Virginia

Sorry to hear about the above accident, this type of occurrence is the exception rather than the rule. There are thousands of folks yearly running events on the factory stock fubber hoses.
IMHO, The decision should be based on several factors including the age and condition of the existing hoses and your skill level. If the hoses are more than about 5 years old, or have any cracks showing in the rubber, replace them. If you are an advanced driver and really stress the car with heavy threshold braking, or are running on R compound tires, replace them. If it gives you additional peace of mind - replace them.
I ran the Goodridge hoses for 10 years and never had a problem.

rfn026

Good ridge are the gold standard of brake hoses.

Richard

PSU_Vette

The car is a 2008 with the original lines (20K miles on the car). They're in good shape and I'd still consider myself a novice driver, but from what you guys have said it's well worth the switch. I've been running fresh Motul 600 in it for over a year now and love it. Looks like it's time to order the lines and do a fresh flush.

froggy47

What about the "alleged" interference with the abs electronics & steel lines?

Garbage/true/other?

Never have seen this settled to my satisfaction.

Is there a GM TSB re: steel lines?



Date Reported: SEPTEMBER 01 2010
NHTSA Reference: #10036084
TSB Reference: #PIC-5368


Description: CHEVROLET: ABS/TCS LIGHT ON AND DTCS C1225/C0035 AND/OR C1226/C0040 DUE TO AFTERMARKET BRAIDED STAINLESS STEEL BRAKE LINES. *PE

Repair Information for NHTSA #10036084

Looking for answers.

ErnieN85

doesn't seem to happen with C6 ( I have spiegelmeyer from essex) and was not an Issue for me on a C5 with Earls lines (good ones)

mgarfias

Never had those DTCs, but I run a coated good ridge line

Bill Dearborn

The interior line of both the rubber and stainless hoses is made of Teflon. A stock hose actually holds up pretty well. Are stainless better? I think so. Both types of hoses can fail due to mistreatment. When working on the brakes I have dropped calipers several times over the last 22 seasons. When that happens that can apply a shock load on the crimped ends of both rubber and stainless lines that can loosen them in their fittings. Whenever that happens I replace the brake line. Last year when it happened several days before a track event I threw out a new stainless line and purchased a stock rubber line from the local dealer and used it.

Bill

Bad Karma

I am a big fan of the SS hoses, and I like the DRM's lines; they use an -AN fitting on the end that I prefer; I've seen banjo bolts break on a couple other cars.

ScaryFast

For HPDE only It's a "feel good" mod.

You won't notice a difference in pedal feel even though the entire internet will tell you how much better it is because your brake lines "will no longer swell under pressure". You'll be into ABS long before you reach enough pressure to expand your brake lines.

And I bet GM has done a lot more durability testing with the rubber lines on a Corvette than Goodrich has done on the SS lines. I am sure there are OEM ones that have failed, see post above. By the same token, I have had a SS line fail (Goodrich brand, BTW). It happens. Inspect your equipment before you go 120+ mph to mitigate the risk.

Are they better? Probably - with the caveat that they are a potential wear item just like rubber lines. Are they worth the money for a novice driver in a fairly new car? Your call.

On track I run the stock rubber hoses on my C6 street car and SS on my C5Z race car.

StKnoWhere

Most important thing is to inspect and replace brake lines regularly. One of my former instructors lost his life at a far too young age at Summit Point due to a brake line failure.

hellrazr

Waste of money, IMHO, unless there is a specific reason. I can't think of one for a novice driver with 2008/20k mile car. If it's still under warranty, then that's reason not to change to SS. Just be sure to check them before the track day, no matter what kind they are.

Black89Z51

I'm running DRM lines, couldn't be happier with them. I'd highly recommend calling Randy.

Rx7Rob

Kicking this alive ....

So whats the consensus for a 2000 C5 w/30kmi. Only do about four HPDE days / year with PFC 01 pads, ATE fluid, and NT01's. Never had an issue with a spongy pedal.

The stock lines still LOOK good. But should I change them due to age? Always have made sure never to drop the caliper like Bill mentioned.

Thanks

Reggie Dunlop

Affirmative. Excellent product and Randy at DRM is as genuine as they come.

Welllllll gollllllly, I just replied to an 18 moth old thread.

ErnieN85

Do it, they certainly are old enough

apex26

IMHO, it just seemed common sense to replace old lines with braided ones before stressing brakes on a track. They are subjected to excessive heat, harsh detergents, ozone, constant vibration and flex, hot shards from braking, etc. Watch the video at Essex of bedding brakes on a c5z--sparks flying like a grinder. Also at Essex? a video of stock brakes catching fire. I put on Goodrich, but honestly am not all that impressed. Since have ordered a high end endurance BBK, and they sent Spiegler lines which look extremely well made and swivel. They also have a lifetime warranty. I'd be happier if they didn't swivel, but won't go back to rubber ever.

Rx7Rob

So they should be changed for preventive maintenance. I just hate fix'n what ain't broke especially when reading ScaryFast had a Goodridge fail and evidently there may or may not be an issue with throwing codes.

With all the brands mentioned in this thread, is there one that stands out from the rest?