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.

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.

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.

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.

this is what I used on my 96.

https://www.summitracing.com/oh/part...model/corvette

replaced the 85's with goodridge in 2006. no issues to date.

Goodridge on several other cars and the QC is so far good enough for a car with 480K

I went with the DRM's and their brake bias spring at the same time.

Really happy with the results.

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.

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.

I have russel's on the GS and ZR-1. Never had a issue being too short?

I think mine are Russells

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 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.

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.

I revised my earlier post since I was mistaken on the brand that is not available anymore.

It is the Earls brake line kits that are not available anymore.

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.

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.

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

In the first 6 months, I'd agree there is no difference. As time goes on, the rubber might stretch out with nothing to keep it back in shape and size so I think it will have more give.

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.