Braided brake line
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 1,146
Likes: 9
From: Troy Ohio
Braided brake line
I need to replace the rubber brake lines at all 4 corners as they are starting to crack and they are origional. What brand / vendor do you suggest for this replacement? In the past I think I remember some having problems with the replacement hoses bought being shorter than the origional hoses and causing some issues? I am trying to do this once and avoid any issues. Any input will be appreciated.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 2,996
Likes: 304
From: MOORESVILLE NC
Goodridge USA that has an office In Mooresville, NC where a lot of NASCAR companies and suppliers operate. Not sure if that Is the exact manufacturing shop. I pass by it many times going shopping at Lowes. I have the full set on my 88 that I installed back in 2003. Great product. Look them up online. The only installation I had was a rusted frozen nut the connects the rubber brake hose to the steel brake line. I tried every lubricant possible and using an open wrench was starting to damage the nut. I cut the OEM rubber brake line so I could use a 6 point socket. I also had to use propane heat.. I found out that heating up brake fluid will catch fire. I was a small fire on top of the hose that I quickly put out. But I did get that nasty nut loose.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 34,873
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From: Lacey WA RVN 68-69
NCM Sinkhole Donor
I'll be replacing the OEM brake lines on my C5 soon and I'm looking at StopTech (found on Amazon) and Goodridge (found on Tire Rack). I had not heard anything regarding a problem with length. My C4 has Russell flex lines and with the wheels off the ground, they do look like they are at the end of their length but don't look like they are over-stretched.
Also, Doug Rippie MotorSports has Goodridge lines, but they use AN fittings at the caliper end. No "banjo" fittings. They cost a little bit more, but they are good quality.
Also, Doug Rippie MotorSports has Goodridge lines, but they use AN fittings at the caliper end. No "banjo" fittings. They cost a little bit more, but they are good quality.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 2,830
Likes: 147
From: Gainesville FL
I replaced mine ~ 2014. Sorry don't recall what brand but tried to use custom hoses from a local supplier and they just wouldn't work ... they always leaked ... gave up and bought after market all 4 corners.
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2016
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From: N.E. Ohio OH
Finalist 2020 C4 of the Year - Modified
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Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2016
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From: N.E. Ohio OH
Finalist 2020 C4 of the Year - Modified
The DRM's are 30 more expensive than the Russell's, but looking at them, they are a superior design. If I had known about them when I bought mine, I would have bought the ones from DRM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 6,019
Likes: 566
From: Conroe Texas
i have used goodridge lines on c4's, c5, and c6. as you might expect, i have had no issues with goodridge. i needed some new copper washers so i called goodridge and they sent me a set of washers el gratis. i tried a set of russels but they were too short.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,655
Likes: 635
From: Dallas TX
I believe Goodridge makes the DRM lines BUT the ends are different in that it doesnt use a regular banjo bolt. It uses a fitting that screws into the caliper then the line attaches to it. IMO no chance of leakage with this design.
I would have rather had a coated line, but none are available that I could find. Supposedly goodridge makes coated lines(according to their catalog), but I never found any for our cars. Maybe a special order thing.
I would have rather had a coated line, but none are available that I could find. Supposedly goodridge makes coated lines(according to their catalog), but I never found any for our cars. Maybe a special order thing.
Last edited by rjacobs; Nov 6, 2018 at 11:44 AM.
Safety Car
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 4,752
Likes: 1,642
From: Fairfax Virginia
I switched over both of my Corvettes to the Stainless braided hoses. I have a C3 and a C4 that run braided SS hoses and I would never go back to plain rubber hoses. The brake pedal feels firmer and I like that sensation as I can feel more through it. Once you try these hoses you will want them on every car, they really are a "significant upgrade" on one of the most critical systems of all in your Corvette, your Braking system.
They are available at ZIP Products who has the set of four Stainless Steel Braided lines in stock for $110.00 and Classic Tubing makes them as well. Just be sure that who ever you buy them from that you get "DOT" approved hoses for use on roads and highways. I have seen some cheap sets that do not come with the DOT approval and I would stay away from them.
I think that Classic Tubing offers them in more than one color, check it out if you need them to be a specific color. Me, I like the stainless look of the hoses.
The improvement in the brake pedal alone makes this a "safety upgrade" and I would strongly suggest this modification to anyone with any kind of performance cars.
They are available at ZIP Products who has the set of four Stainless Steel Braided lines in stock for $110.00 and Classic Tubing makes them as well. Just be sure that who ever you buy them from that you get "DOT" approved hoses for use on roads and highways. I have seen some cheap sets that do not come with the DOT approval and I would stay away from them.
I think that Classic Tubing offers them in more than one color, check it out if you need them to be a specific color. Me, I like the stainless look of the hoses.
The improvement in the brake pedal alone makes this a "safety upgrade" and I would strongly suggest this modification to anyone with any kind of performance cars.
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2016
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From: N.E. Ohio OH
Finalist 2020 C4 of the Year - Modified
Where is info that they aren't made anymore ? Summit shows the 84 to 87 in stock, as are the 88 to 92's. The 94 to 96 are on a week delay for shipping (according to their website). Russell is showing them on their website. Curiously, there is no listing for th 93 cars.
Actually any vehicle. I put them on my 2500HD crew cab 4x4 and the improvement was just as great as on the Vette. We pull a 32 ft travel trailer and while it has its own braking system, there is a comfort feel for having great brakes in the truck.
The improvement in the brake pedal alone makes this a "safety upgrade" and I would strongly suggest this modification to anyone with any kind of performance cars.
Last edited by drcook; Nov 6, 2018 at 11:09 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,655
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From: Dallas TX
It is the Earls brake line kits that are not available anymore.
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 4,648
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From: N.E. Ohio OH
Finalist 2020 C4 of the Year - Modified
Summit is only carrying "universal" Earl's lines. Folks could probably work out a kit by purchasing the correct lengths if they chose to.
Russell's doesn't have the best customer service. I was given a set of 3 because the guy that gave them to me blew a line on his race car and had to buy a new kit to just get one. I also called Russell's and asked to be able to buy just one. Was told "we don't do that". That leads me to believe that they are not manufacturing them OR simply don't want to do any support after the sale.
Russell's doesn't have the best customer service. I was given a set of 3 because the guy that gave them to me blew a line on his race car and had to buy a new kit to just get one. I also called Russell's and asked to be able to buy just one. Was told "we don't do that". That leads me to believe that they are not manufacturing them OR simply don't want to do any support after the sale.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2017
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From: North Georgia, USA
Well, I'll be the guy swimming upstream here. If your brake flex hoses are cracking you need new flex-hoses. Braided Stainless or rubber, not much difference in pedal feel. However, there will most likely be a big improvement in pedal firmness when you install any new brake line/flex hose.
Almost all of the "improvement" people attribute to the upgrade is actually the improvement you get with fresh fluid. If you flush your brakes every 2 to 3 years (like every German auto maker recommends), you won't notice much difference between rubber flex hoses and braided stainless.
That said, I put braided stainless lines on every race car I've worked on. Mostly that's because they are more durable and less likely to be damaged when driving at high speeds with a flat tire.
Almost all of the "improvement" people attribute to the upgrade is actually the improvement you get with fresh fluid. If you flush your brakes every 2 to 3 years (like every German auto maker recommends), you won't notice much difference between rubber flex hoses and braided stainless.
That said, I put braided stainless lines on every race car I've worked on. Mostly that's because they are more durable and less likely to be damaged when driving at high speeds with a flat tire.
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 4,648
Likes: 1,059
From: N.E. Ohio OH
Finalist 2020 C4 of the Year - Modified
I will disagree with you about feel. I put the lines on my 2500HD when it was close to new. You really could tell a difference. The rubber lines are going to expand.
From Stoptech
http://www.stoptech.com/technical-su...rake-lines-q-a
From Stoptech
http://www.stoptech.com/technical-su...rake-lines-q-a
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 28,430
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From: Hartford WI
Well, I'll be the guy swimming upstream here. If your brake flex hoses are cracking you need new flex-hoses. Braided Stainless or rubber, not much difference in pedal feel. However, there will most likely be a big improvement in pedal firmness when you install any new brake line/flex hose.
Almost all of the "improvement" people attribute to the upgrade is actually the improvement you get with fresh fluid. If you flush your brakes every 2 to 3 years (like every German auto maker recommends), you won't notice much difference between rubber flex hoses and braided stainless.
That said, I put braided stainless lines on every race car I've worked on. Mostly that's because they are more durable and less likely to be damaged when driving at high speeds with a flat tire.
Almost all of the "improvement" people attribute to the upgrade is actually the improvement you get with fresh fluid. If you flush your brakes every 2 to 3 years (like every German auto maker recommends), you won't notice much difference between rubber flex hoses and braided stainless.
That said, I put braided stainless lines on every race car I've worked on. Mostly that's because they are more durable and less likely to be damaged when driving at high speeds with a flat tire.
How so? Other than if moisture boils off and reduces brake effectiveness.
I'm not sure most of us drive much on flat tires so not sure that is an issue.