What do stainless steel brake lines do

However, there are a few more factors to consider. Firstly, stainless steel is more abrasive than rubber, and can damage surrounding components, CarThrottle notes. Secondly, braided lines hide internal damage more than plain rubber ones. Plus, as the video above explains, stainless steel brake lines are more rigid than rubber ones. That makes them more difficult to install.

And if you install them improperly, you have a brake fluid leak on your hands. That rigidity also means they can pop out of their fittings under impacts, whereas rubber brake lines would flex away without issue. The inherent nature of braided brake lines means they offer an effective and durable solution that can fit into a hydraulic brake system. When looking to buy brake lines, braided brake lines would most often be compared against the standard rubber lines. Braided brake lines are made up of an inner hose made from Teflon wrapped in stainless steel braiding.

This is often then wrapped in a plastic coating available in lots of colours to offer a final level of protection. Brake lines play an integral role within a hydraulic brake system. They carry the fluid and need to do this quickly and reliably — otherwise, braking performance could be impaired or even fail. The ability for braided brake lines to combat expansion inside the hose means the efficiency and reliability of the overall brake system is improved.

People often think about upgrading parts like pads when it comes to breaking efficiency, but cables and hoses are the backbone to any braking system in a vehicle. The main benefit of braided brake lines is that they help improve performance by reducing the issue of swelling, most commonly associated with the standard rubber brake lines.

Over time and extensive use, rubber lines can swell under the pressure caused by applying the brakes. Rubber as a material is durable but will eventually weaken due to this constant expansion. This means the rubber is basically stretching over time and consequently losing its ability to do its job efficiently. As a result, their lifespan is much longer. This means they can maintain high performance over a long period.

When brakes are applied, it feels firm and responsive. If you happen to run a stainless steel brake line close to something that is soft or easily prone to abrasion, the stainless steel braid can tear up these surfaces as the brake line shreds materials during vehicle jarring. Also, if dirt finds its way in between the steel braid and the Teflon in a stainless steel brake line, an abrasive environment will be created that will compromise the Teflon over time.

You will often find that manufacturers of stainless steel brake lines encapsulate the stainless steel braid with a coat of plastic to keep dirt out, to remedy this weakness. Some people think that by upgrading to stainless steel brake lines they will be able to increase their caliper clamping pressure or brake torque.

The truth of the matter is that a stainless steel brake line upgrade will only increase the brake fluid pressure vs volume relationship, and not the brake fluid pressure vs brake torque relationship.

Pressure created in your hydraulic system will not be increased overall, it will simply take more brake pedal travel distance to effectively build that brake line pressure needed to fully activate your braking calipers. This results overall, in a more responsive brake pedal. If you are planning to upgrade your old or worn out brake lines anyway, then a stainless steel brake line upgrade might not be a bad idea if you are looking to decrease your stopping distance a bit more.

Less pedal travel required to activate your brakes will decrease the amount of time for deceleration, and it may be worth it to you if you have already upgraded much of your other braking systems components. If you do happen to perform the upgrade, you will need to monitor your braking performance regularly, as stainless brake line problems are not visible to the eye. This is due to the simple fact that the stainless steel braided mesh hides compromises to the Teflon brake line when present.

Cquence offers brake parts for over vehicle applications. We aim to provide a wide range of top brands at affordable prices. Most stainless steel brake lines will come with a PVC or other similar covering on them to prevent dirt intrusion, but it is important to know the specifics of your lines. Even if you do have a PVC covering on your stainless braided lines, it is still a good idea to check them periodically for leaks. If you do any sort of spirited or performance driving, stainless steel lines are a must have.

The increased pedal feel makes braking more accurate and consistent, while giving the driver a newfound trust in the braking system. Upgrading to stainless steel lines with a set of more aggressive brake pads will make your Mustang stop quicker and more confidently than rubber factory lines.

If you make sure to get a set of stainless lines with a coating on the stainless, they will last a very long time as well! Stainless steel brake lines make the perfect upgrade if you need to replace worn factory lines, or you are just looking for a firmer pedal feel.

For information, pricing and advice on brake lines, click here to get in touch with us today! Cover Image Credit: Chicane Motorsport. Why Choose Stainless Over Rubber?