Are stainless steel brake lines better than the rubber version?

[NW_Merc]

I was wondering if replacing my brake lines with SS ones will improve braking response...

What are your thoughts?

 

[television]

Other than not go rusty, they will do nothing at all to improve the braking.

 

[Howard]

Is there not some theory that because steel isn't flexible like rubber , none of the pressure is lost (being absorbed by the rubber) so you should have better braking ?

Or is it too late and I should go to bed ?

 

[NW_Merc]

Thats what they claim but I dont know of any forum members who have maybe fitted them and can say it actually does what it claims.

 

[glojo]

These are questions and not statements:

I expect rubber hoses might expand a tiny amount but surely if they did expand visually then instead of the system working the pipes would act like a balloon?

Any vibration, flexing or movement can be absorbed by the rubber, would the stainless steel pipes have this ability?

Good question Howard

Regards
John the curious

 

[GRAV888]

The rubber hoses are braded anyway, so I can't really see there would be any difference.
I have a lorry with a 3 tonne hiab on it and all the hoses on there are rubber.

 

[glojo]

The rubber hoses are braded anyway, .

I would have thought that braiding would certainly prevent the pipes from any expansion, if all brake hoses are braided then that would answer one of my questions, the mind boggles at the complexity that would be required to fit stainless hydraulic piping on a HIAB

John

 

[GRAV888]

I would have thought that braiding would certainly prevent the pipes from any expansion, if all brake hoses are braided then that would answer one of my questions, the mind boggles at the complexity that would be required to fit stainless hydraulic piping on a HIAB

John

It would be impossible to do, as there would be no flexibility.

 

[Will]

I think what NW Merc means is the type of brake hoses which have a braided outer covering and a rubber/teflon insert. They have as much flexibility as the original rubber lines but are supposed to expand or 'balloon' (as Glojo put it) less. This is supposed to slightly improve braking feel and give better resistance to chafing/damage.

They are very popular with the biking fraternity and are a common modification/upgrade.

Will

 

[grober]

There is a very good article on the pros and cons of stainless steel braided brake lines here. http://www.nsxprime.com/wiki/Brake_Lines The articles conclusion appears to be that for non competition/offroad driving stick to the manufacturers original spec flexible hoses -inspect regularly- and replace periodically as part of a program of preventative maintenance to maintain factory spec performance. just like you replace brake pads ,discs, fluid etc.
they also highlight the problem of poorly manufactured parts and the inability to inspect the inner fluid containing hose (usually of PTFE) because of the outer st/st braid.

 

[wobbly]

I fitted a complete set of stainless braided hose to my Ducati a couple of years ago. ( Brakes and clutch )

The brakes were more poweful after fitting the braided hoses, of course this could have just been down to a complete fluid change.

The brakes are still quite powerful now.

 

[television]

The whole point here is that flexible pipes must be braided, you cant just use rubber pipe, they must be renforced

 

[SSBB]

I've spent about fifteen years in the bike trade and fitted countless braided Steel brake and clutch hoses. I can honestly say Ive not noticed any real difference between them and good condition original hoses when in use. The main benefit to braided steel outer sheathing is its protection from chafing or splitting of the rubber pipe inside it by external objects, I remember when these hoses became fashionable and were referred to as 'Aircraft Hose' which is where I believe they originated from. The fact that the anodised fittings look great is why most bikers want them fitted. Another plus is that they do genuinely outlive standard rubber hose.

 

[Rob77]

Yes, they used to come from a firm called Goodridge Aeroquipe or something like that.

I replaced all the brake lines on my last bike with them and noticed a big difference. I bought a set for my current bike too but haven't got around to fitting them yet.

They aren't expensive so there's no reason not to. Well unless you're happy with what you have.

 

[glojo]

Surely if the pipes do not expand it doesn't matter what is used? Braided rubber makes good sense and having a braided stainless exterior will surely just offer protection and a nicer, shiny look?

John the curious

 

[television]

Surely if the pipes do not expand it doesn't matter what is used? Braided rubber makes good sense and having a braided stainless exterior will surely just offer protection and a nicer, shiny look?

John the curious

No matter what they are made of they have to conform to saftey standards

 

[Rob77]

Surely if the pipes do not expand it doesn't matter what is used? Braided rubber makes good sense and having a braided stainless exterior will surely just offer protection and a nicer, shiny look?

John the curious

As I've said I did notice a far more direct feel with the SS lines. My thought would be that any line would expand to some degree but that the SS ones just expand a little less.

 

[Will]

That's pretty much my understanding. As with most things on cars there is a trade-off - I imagine rubber lines are cheaper and easier to manufacture? Would most drivers genuinely notice much difference? Stainless lines must be heavier than plain rubber/braid ones.

I'm not saying that I'm taken by the idea, but the way that they are marketed is that they offer some improvement in braking performance.

http://www.stoptech.com/products/stainless_steel_lines.shtml

Will

 

[Ian_C]

I have bought some Goodridge braided hoses for my E55. I will post my experinces once I have got round to fitting them. (saying that a good fluid change will do more than the hoses one assumes).

Ian (who loves tarting the car up)

 

[andrewcliffe]

Stainless brake pipes are also much easier to make in small volumes. You can buy the end fittings and a reel of hose and make them up yourself.

One problem with them is you cannot inspect them for condition as easily as rubber hoses, and for that reason some countries would fail a car with them for the annual roadworthiness check ( the MoT in the UK)