YACT: Stainless Steel brake lines - are they all the same?

[Maximus96]

i see them on ebay for $68+shipping. stillen ones are $110 plus shipping. are the ebay ones any good? anybody have SS lines on their cars? comments? suggestions?

 

[TechnoKid]

goodridge are about the only brand that i know of that have a reputable name, also neuspeed. stillen is a well known performance parts for nissan, so it couldn't hurt to go with them.

EDIT: some of the lesser brands do not meet DOT MVSS-106 requirements.

 

[JulesMaximus]

I wouldn't go cheap on something like brake lines. If one fails you are not going to stop so for the extra $42 I'd get the Stillen brake lines.

 

[erikiksaz]

I heard Neuspeed are coming out with SS lines that are rubber coated. Does anyone know anything about this?

 

[halik]

errr why would you need something like that on a maxima?

 

[Maximus96]

Originally posted by: halik
errr why would you need something like that on a maxima?

errr...because the stock ones are old, because they don't expand under pressure compared to the rubber ones, because i want better brake feel...

 

[RayH]

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus
I wouldn't go cheap on something like brake lines. If one fails you are not going to stop so for the extra $42 I'd get the Stillen brake lines.

Goodridge lines are also rubber coated. It's added protection for the stainless steel braid since the tubing underneath is usually not built to handle the pressure if the SS braid fails. Also the SS braid is highly abrasive against anything it may contact (an SS braid line will eventually cut through any line it rubs against.).

I have an SS clutch line that started to cut through a rubber intake hose it was touching just from normal engine vibration (fixed by covering the SS line with split wire loom). If the line isn't installed yet you can also use heat shrink tubing on SS braided line for added protection.

 

[Antisocial Virge]

At one point they never recommended SS lines on street cars because they are prone to fracture morethan normal lines with vibration. Has something changed?

 

[Maximus96]

Originally posted by: RayH

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus
I wouldn't go cheap on something like brake lines. If one fails you are not going to stop so for the extra $42 I'd get the Stillen brake lines.

Goodridge lines are also rubber coated. It's added protection for the stainless steel braid since the tubing underneath is usually not built to handle the pressure if the SS braid fails. Also the SS braid is highly abrasive against anything it may contact (an SS braid line will eventually cut through any line it rubs against.).

I have an SS clutch line that started to cut through a rubber intake hose it was touching just from normal engine vibration (fixed by covering the SS line with split wire loom). If the line isn't installed yet you can also use heat shrink tubing on SS braided line for added protection.

this is the set i was looking at. it said it has PVC on the outside. also the heat shrink tube is sort of rigid after shrinking and wouldn't allow much flexing

 

[isekii]

can't you get the braided ss brake lines ?

 

[Maximus96]

Originally posted by: isekii
can't you get the braided ss brake lines ?

yes those are braided. i thought they all are braided.

 

[isekii]

If they're braided, what's the chances of them snapping ?

 

[RayH]

The thing you have to watch out for with ss braided lines is kinking especially at the fittings. You don't want to put sharp bends on the lines especially near the fittings.

 

[Antisocial Virge]

Originally posted by: isekii
If they're braided, what's the chances of them snapping ?

The only thing braiding does on brake lines as far as I know is protect them from external wear.
EDIT: Oh you guys are just talking about flex lines, I thought you were running SS hard lines.

A large percentage of your brake pedal travel is due to expansion of the hydraulic hoses under pressure.

haha yea right. The amout of travel is minimal because of hose expansion. Think about how far your brake pedal travels and then think about how much actual mechanical movent there is going on between calipers and cylinders. Your trying to tell me you would even notice "hose expansion"?

 

[Carbonadium4]

had neuspeed installed for over 2 years now.. hasn't snapped or anything.. brake didn't feel any better.. but it was good to pay less for something better than oem.. or at least better looking (bright yellow)

 

[Maximus96]

well sh!t, if it doesn't feel any better or brake better, then i guess it would be money wasted...

 

[TechnoKid]

Originally posted by: zaku
well sh!t, if it doesn't feel any better or brake better, then i guess it would be money wasted...

if good fluid is used (like ATE TYP 200 or super blue) and it is bled and flushed correctly, there should be a noticeable improvement in the hardness/firmness of the pedal when upgrading to stainless lines. This is assuming your calipers, brake pads, and rotors are in good condition to begin with.