Stainless brake lines - C7 Z51
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2025
Posts: 31
Likes: 17
From: Chicago, IL
Stainless brake lines - C7 Z51
Getting my c7 ready for it's first track day this spring(at least on my watch, unclear if the previous owner ever tracked it), planning to put on some beefier brake pads on and flush the brake fluid before getting out there.
This being an almost 10 year old car, do our original rubber brake hoses have an expected life? Would the forum say it;'s overkill to replace the rubber lines and that I should just flush with fresh fluid and go? The car has 45k miles on it.
Is there anything special involved with swapping these since a lot of air will be let into the system or just pump and bleed as you normally would to flush the fluid after a brake job?
Thanks for any input
This being an almost 10 year old car, do our original rubber brake hoses have an expected life? Would the forum say it;'s overkill to replace the rubber lines and that I should just flush with fresh fluid and go? The car has 45k miles on it.
Is there anything special involved with swapping these since a lot of air will be let into the system or just pump and bleed as you normally would to flush the fluid after a brake job?
Thanks for any input
8th Gear
Joined: Mar 2026
Posts: 8
Likes: 6
At 45k miles and ten years old, swapping to stainless lines is a smart, proactive upgrade, not overkill. The rubber ones can be getting soft, and the firmer pedal feel is worth it on track.
It's a straightforward job. Just don't let the master cylinder run dry. Swap one line at a time, then do a full system bleed. Since you're flushing fluid anyway, it's the perfect time to do it.
It's a straightforward job. Just don't let the master cylinder run dry. Swap one line at a time, then do a full system bleed. Since you're flushing fluid anyway, it's the perfect time to do it.
Instructor
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 185
Likes: 18
I'd say it's a worthwhile upgrade - but beware that threading the new lines on can be challenging... sometimes the male end of the chassis hardline gets distorted during installation of the rubber line at the factory. I would suggest chasing the threads with a die.
Racer
Joined: Oct 2020
Posts: 396
Likes: 239
From: Seattle, WA
It's likely fine as is but I'd be proactive and upgrade to SS lines. When I installed mine, I did one at a time making sure I was ready to install the new SS line immediately after disconnecting the OEM rubber line. Make sure the master cylinder is full and fluid will be gravitating out while you make the swap. Once all four are installed, then make sure to bleed them well. I'd recommend upgrading your brake fluid while you're at it. You want full confidence in your brakes on track for yourself and everyone else out there.
