Stainless Steel Brake Hoses

[Daskoff]

I searched the archives and seem to not find any discussion on this topic. On my other cars,Acura GS-R (since sold) and BMW 535i, I changed the brake lines to SS DOT approved hoses and could tell the imporvement in brake feel. ALL the rubber hoses were changed. Well I looked around for a kit to replace all the rubber hoses on the LC and could only find sets that included 3 SS hoses for the front and rear. However, when I checked to see how many hose sections there are, I counted 3 in front and 3 in the rear.

My concern is that if all the hoses aren't replaced with SS, similar to the chain theory, the weakest link will impact the overall system. That is, by replacing only a few of the rubber hoses, I'll still have mushy-ness because the remaining rubber hoses will now flex. I don't quite understand why there is no kit to replace all the hoses. Am I missing something?? Anyone replace some of the lines? Thoughts n improvement?

Thanks!

Adrian

 

[Beowulf]

Adrian,
Sorry it took so long to respond. I spent about 3 minutes searching for threads in the 80 section with "Stainless" in the subject line.

I only found 4 threads with about 20 posts. Hope this helps with your decision.

https://forum.ih8mud.com/index.php?board=2;action=display;threadid=5508
https://forum.ih8mud.com/index.php?board=2;action=display;threadid=4540
https://forum.ih8mud.com/index.php?board=2;action=display;threadid=3856
https://forum.ih8mud.com/index.php?board=2;action=display;threadid=3830

-B-

 

[concretejungle]

i ordered the SS lines from slee. I understand your concern, however i do not have any mushy feel in my brakes. I got them because i had the lift and needed extra line for flex and such. I also figured they would be more likely to snag something than the other lines.

 

[yomama]

I also have the SS lines. Hoping to improve brake pedal feel. I really didn't notice a huge improvement, but I also have the slotted and cross drilled rotors, now those made a difference in stopping power anyway.

Yomama

 

[Daskoff]

Beowulf,

I really did search the archives. I searched for "stainless steel brake hoses" and a combination of the words. All I came up with is a bunch of irrelevant posts regarding coleman coolers and John Travolta's new pad and such. Sorry for the wasted bandwidth. Thanks for the posts, I think I'll skip the SS lines.

Adrian

 

[xl715]

I have the lines due to lift. If you just want them for brake performance I don't think you will notice much unless you upgrade the rotors and pads. If you plan on a lift in the future you will need them anyway. If you are just looking for something to spend money on go for it, will also add to the BLING factor!! STAINLESS!!

 

[syrinxstar]

Daskoff-

As Beowulf alluded to you need to pick one choice word for the search to be most effective (least ineffective). Also expand the number of days it looks back, the number of hits it returns, and limit it to 80s tech. Then you just need to sludge through all the hits till you see a subject that fits. It takes longer and works different than other engines you might be used to - but there's a ton of good info in there.

 

[concretejungle]

i have not noticed any difference in performance with the SS other than peace of mind. And that's tough to put a price tag on.

 

[hoser]

If you are going to get SS lines, the best ones to get are the ones with the protective sheath on the outside so that dirt doesn't get into the SS braiding.

Dirt > braiding > friction = bad.

 

[Junk]

as much as I am against ss brake lines, I'll be getting some from Christo because I need longer lines. I'd prefer rubber, but just don't feel like messing around spending so much time looking for the right fit.

 

[lagwagon]

Hey Junk, I have gone to NAPA auto parts and looked through their books and found longer rubber lines. There are listings in the books that show lengths and end types. After seeing DOT SS lines blow out on several occassions I will never run them. If you do, realize you should change them every year IMHO.

 

[Daskoff]

Lagwagon,

You've actually seen SS DOT approved lines blow out? How can that be? Was it at the connections. I can't imagine the actually line itself blow-out since it's metal reinforced. Was it punctured?

Adrian

 

[Junk]

Thanks Lag.

I have longer rear rubber but can't find longer rubber for the front.

 

[lagwagon]

Adrian, I wish I had taken pics of the lines I have replaced to show you. The blowouts were more towards the middle. If you kink a SS line it's over and as was mentioned in a previous post any dirt will grind away at the inner teflon hose. I have seen 40+ year old rubber hoses that still worked and have never replaced one for being blown out.

 

[firetruck41]

Yeah, if dirt gets in there, and it will, it will likely abrade. Are there any SS verions for the LC hich have the clear, water tight outer sheath? That would give you the best of both worlds, less swelling of the hose and protection from dirt caused abrasion. I had a set on my old motorcycle.

 

[Junk]

Hey Lag,
Mind posting up part #'s if you have them for the rubber lines? Gotta due mine early next week. Just put some new spacers in the front and what I have, even with a relocated bracket is now getting a little too close to tight for me. Thanks.