Braided SS brake lines - yes or no?

[banjomike]

Originally posted by Bill Verburg
Not true, they do provide a palpable improvement. The ss sheath is only there to provide ballistic and abrasion resistace to the teflon core which has neither by itself. The teflon is the part that is inflexible due to pressure expansion and does not deteriorate w/ age or heat exposure. It is however easily damaged if it is used w/ too small a radius, and also to abrasive damage from particles that get between the ss sheath and inner teflon core.

don't know if the improvement is palpable or even measureable, but the rest of Bill says sounds right. Teflon has much less flexibility than most rubber compounds. It is also very easy to cut/abrade. Makes me wonder if the best solution is teflon/SS lines coated with some rubber coating to keep dust out. Maybe that rubber stuff you dip your tool handles in?

[Randy Webb]

Ya know one other thing to look for on the SS lines would be TUV approved. The German TUV certification really counts for something (as opposed to a DOT spec. - which merely means it won't immediately hunt you down and kill out of sheer spite).

[Randy Webb]

re "tell-tale signs"

Wayne, - ya gotta sqeeze the rubber. It's not (usually) visual.

[Grady Clay]

An issue, not touched on here, is that very rigid brake systems tend to lock up easier under maximum breaking.

Every brake system has minute (and sometimes large) imperfections in the thickness of the rotor and grip of the pads, not to mention the tire variations in grip. That variation can cause differences in braking as the tire/wheel/rotor rotates, leading to locking up the tire at the “high grip spot.”

Porsche engineered into the system sufficient “give” to alleviate this problem. The brake hose flex are a major part of that.

I use the OE hoses.

Best,
Grady

[tsuter]

Well I replaced my original set of rubber OE ones last year (25years of use) with new SS ones.

I'll let you know in 24 years if it made a difference.

[HarryD]

Teflon tubing is very inflexible and subject to kinking when bent into an excessive radius. Once kinked, that point is subject to catatrophic failure with little of no notice. Also, even if unsheathed, the defect from the kink is sometimes hard to see.

Personnally, I will stick with tried and true rubber lines.

[Noel]

I replaced mine with OEM rubber and I only use the car for track and weekend driving.

Noel