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Braided SS brake lines
What is the opinion on Braided Stainless Steel Brake lines? The only information I have is from the '70's when the popular opinion was that they were to be avoided on anything other than a race car and needed frequent inspection(read weekly). In the search to improve the marginal braking on our 2 e36 based cars(without going to Brembo  ) I have considered doing SS lines on one of them and wanted some input. Can anyone recommend a brand and what to look for? Thanks in advance, Paul | | Reply » Braided SS brake lines |
Quote: What is the opinion on Braided Stainless Steel Brake lines? The only information I have is from the '70's when the popular opinion was that they were to be avoided on anything other than a race car and needed frequent inspection(read weekly). In the search to improve the marginal braking on our 2 e36 based cars(without going to Brembo ) I have considered doing SS lines on one of them and wanted some input. Can anyone recommend a brand and what to look for?
Thanks in advance,
Paul | I have them on my E46. After installing them, I immediately noticed a seriously firm pedal. I had them installed by a shop at about 2000 miles on the odometer. The improvement was awesome, almost too awesome, so I wrote Dave Zeckhausen at Zeckhausen Racing (where I bought the lines) to ask about it. He told me the improvement was probably 1/3 lines, 2/3 fresh fluid and a clean bleed.
I have 7100 miles on the car now and the pedal isn't as firm as it was. I drive very spiritedly (mountain roads) and have done one track school with this car. I think a bleed of the system will bring back the firm pedal since I'm sure I've worn the pads down some.
How does this help you? Basically, IMO, the lines are worth it for two reasons: 1) you will get a slighly firmer pedal because they don't flex like rubber lines. 2) they don't flex like rubber lines.  I haven't read anything about checking them weekly. I also have them on my motorcycle and have experienced the same positive results. I say go for it!
| | Reply » Braided SS brake lines |
Current lines, unlike the older versions have a plastic covering. The old lines were bare SS braid and road grit could get inand abrade the liner from the outside.
Just make sure you get good proper ones, like StopTech.
| | Reply » Braided SS brake lines |
Quote: Current lines, unlike the older versions have a plastic covering. The old lines were bare SS braid and road grit could get inand abrade the liner from the outside.
Just make sure you get good proper ones, like StopTech. | yep, just get a good quality line thats jacketed and you should be fine, but it wouldn't hurt to check them every now and then to make sure the braid is still laying correctly.
there may be a new source for jacketed (jacketing and fittings available in any color) SS lines in the near future, tested to "failure" at >15,000psi, and the "failure" was the copper crush washer failed. 
| | Reply » Braided SS brake lines |
As Dave Z said it's mostly new fluid, flush and good bleed. I would've said 1/10 new lines, 9/10ths other. I've put SS lines on other cars for the cool and gotta have factor, and IMHO when push comes to shove, they're not worth it. Recent BMW OEM lines don't flex at all, they are rubber coated over metal braid, just not SS. They are more flexible, as they are a safety item, while SS lines tend to be stiffer but you DO have to watch for abrasion of the outer braid on the lines where flex occurs from constant suspension movement, regardless of whether they are coated or not. You'd probably get the same great feel thing from NEW OEM lines, but they're probably more expensive than SS aftermarket ones!
| | Reply » Braided SS brake lines |
Quote: Hey whaaa???  I dunna think I said nuttin- I'm just sittin' here quietly lurking in the shadows as I usually do  Is there another Dave Z in the house? Then again, my mom sometimes calls me Jeff....
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Braided SS brake lines