just like I would't drive around on 28 year old tires.
brake line replacement or not
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 417
Likes: 2
From: Blacksburg Virginia
brake line replacement or not
Was wondering what a stainless brake line actually gains a street only car?
None of the rubber ones are leaking, but i am thinking of upgrading lines when i work on the pads next
Do the stainless steel ones really gain anything for daily use ?
None of the rubber ones are leaking, but i am thinking of upgrading lines when i work on the pads next
Do the stainless steel ones really gain anything for daily use ?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 7,999
Likes: 14
From: Life is just one big track event. Everything before and after is prep and warm-up and cool-down laps
Cruise-In III Veteran
Cruise-In IV Veteran
St. Jude Donor '12
Rubber lines deteriorate, please replace your brake lines.
As long as they don't get rubbed or used for racing the DOT braided lines will be great and last a long time. Or put ne rubber hoses on.
Reminds me, my braided lines have been on the race car too long - time to change them.
As long as they don't get rubbed or used for racing the DOT braided lines will be great and last a long time. Or put ne rubber hoses on.
Reminds me, my braided lines have been on the race car too long - time to change them.
Race Director
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 14,165
Likes: 9
I run braided stainless on my car. They do give me a slightly stiffer brake pedal. The only explanation is that more braking force is going to the calipers where it belongs as opposed to expanding the rubber lines where it doesn't.
Gains? Not so much. I could apply enough braking force to lock up the tires before, I can after. This means you're going to have the same stopping distance.
I used them because I like a firmer pedal, they look better, and should be more resistant to abrasions.
Gains? Not so much. I could apply enough braking force to lock up the tires before, I can after. This means you're going to have the same stopping distance.
I used them because I like a firmer pedal, they look better, and should be more resistant to abrasions.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 34,873
Likes: 487
From: Lacey WA RVN 68-69
NCM Sinkhole Donor
The brake lines with the stainless woven cover do have a slightly stiffer hose material inside compared to stock lines and that does increase the stiffer feel of the pedal.
The woven stainless wrap is designed to protect the inner tubing from heat and anything that gets tossed into the wheelwell, along with the metal cover being able to reduce the expansion of the hose as fluid pressure increases during braking.
Are they suitable for street driving? IMHO, they are, but like any flexible brake line, they are subject to wear and should be replaced at some regular interval.
Stock style rubber lines are also subject to wear but the outer rubber covering will weaken quicker and as line pressure increases from braking, the internal hose can expand and the rubber will not work as well to maintain fluid pressure. That's why rubber lines feel "softer" as they age.
From pricing stock hose and the stainless lines, the prices seem to be fairly close. I'm using Earl's stainless lines on my 87 autocross/track day car and as they are 5 years old, it's time to replace them even though they look fine.
For street use (or even autocross) stock lines should work fine. Just make sure you get good quality hoses.
The woven stainless wrap is designed to protect the inner tubing from heat and anything that gets tossed into the wheelwell, along with the metal cover being able to reduce the expansion of the hose as fluid pressure increases during braking.
Are they suitable for street driving? IMHO, they are, but like any flexible brake line, they are subject to wear and should be replaced at some regular interval.
Stock style rubber lines are also subject to wear but the outer rubber covering will weaken quicker and as line pressure increases from braking, the internal hose can expand and the rubber will not work as well to maintain fluid pressure. That's why rubber lines feel "softer" as they age.
From pricing stock hose and the stainless lines, the prices seem to be fairly close. I'm using Earl's stainless lines on my 87 autocross/track day car and as they are 5 years old, it's time to replace them even though they look fine.
For street use (or even autocross) stock lines should work fine. Just make sure you get good quality hoses.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2008
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