Och

iTrader: (3)

I remember reading somewhere about a major problem with SS brake lines, but can't remember what it was. Anyone know?

CK6Speed

iTrader: (1)

Longevity. Often the clear plastic jacket covering the outside of the braided lines crack and fall apart and then the lines itself start to rust and corrode. I would never buy a used set of steal braided lines, and I myself would probably change them out every 2 years. That is just me though.

Alexus_300

iTrader: (4)

I'm not sure about the plastic jacket covering cracking over time. But the lines on my D2 BBk have held up for the last two years of daily driving without any signs of wear. What I recomend for alot of people is to take care of their cars. I usually inspect and clean my brake lines once a month when I take my wheels off for cleaning.

DaveGS4

iTrader: (2)

Wow is this the wayback machine.. .see my post #12 from 2001
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sus...em-brakes.html

I never had issues with any of mine, but changed them several times (with OEM, with Supra TT, with Brembo) over the life of my car.

CK6Speed

iTrader: (1)

I guess it depends on the brand used and the conditions they are subjected to. I have seen a few with brittle jackets before and signs of rust starting, but they generally were older than 3-4 years. Cleaning them often is probably a great idea, but we all know that most people will neglect to do so and most people probably rarely even take the wheels off. Just look at how many people post they don't change their brake fluid for 5+ years.

CK6Speed

iTrader: (1)

PS Dave, do you use steal braided lines on your track cars? If so, how often do you service, or basically replace them? Just wondering.

Alexus_300

iTrader: (4)

Good information to keep in mind dave. As far as SS brake lines, I think that if you stick with one of the major brake line manufacturer such as Goodridge, stoptech, or Russell, then you should be fine. I've had all three of those lines installed on different cars that I've owned over the years and they all have never fail on me. I think that the biggest problem which leads to brake line failure is neglecting to inspect the lines. SS brake lines are designed for track use therefore I think that is why they need to be inspected from time to time for leaks. And as far as ferrari not using ss lines, I think they used a similar brake line to what Project Mu uses which is a teflon core line with Kevlar outer casing.

MEANDAFAKA

so simply put, take care of your ride and maintain it. and the brake line will not fail you.

DaveGS4

iTrader: (2)

Yes, we use them on the track car and on her Porsche. It's one of the first mods she did to the track car even on the stock brake setup and uses them on the current Stoptech setup too.

Reasons she uses them
- when fluid is hot (gets very hot on track car) stock lines will expand and contract which provides an inconsistent pedal feel and more pedal travel (both bad). The SS lines don't expand like stock rubber and provides a consistent pressure.

Negative
- usually coated / braided with multiple layers with teflon over the SS. If a crack develops in outer coating then grit and dirt can wear at the lines causing a leak. Needs to be inspected regularly for cracks, etc.

She's never had one crack, but is an inspection point every time car is on a lift once per month. Changes them every couple of years.

Och

iTrader: (3)

Wow, thanks all, thats a lot of good info!

kamlung

iTrader: (8)

question... since the stock rubber seems to be the weak point where it expands too easily when the fluid gets hot, does it make sense to place zip ties along the whole stock lines in order to keep it from expanding when they get hot?

i had a set of SS lines on my DD and they failed within a year... this was a suggestion made to me but i never went foward with it...

DaveGS4

iTrader: (2)

Sorry kamlung, I don't quite understand what your question / approach is.

kamlung

iTrader: (8)

sorry for the confusion...

since the stock rubber expands when the fluid inside of it gets hot... would it make sense to restrict the rubber line from expanding so that you don't experience brake fade...

the approach is to take a bunch of heavy duty zip ties... and then zip tie around every inch of the whole length of the brake line... this will essentially hold the rubber brake line tight even when the fluid inside of it gets hot and the rubber wants to expand...

let me know if i still wasn't clear... i can try to take a pic of what i mean...

RMMGS4

iTrader: (5)

That IS one of the main purposes of using braided line. To keep the rubber hose inside from expanding.


zip ties = 0
Braided line = +1

Also even if the fluid is not hot, the hose will expand under hard braking pressure. This is a difference you can feel quite easily when you change over to SS lines.



.

RMMGS4

iTrader: (5)

Failed for ??