Braided brake lines?

[MattBrown]

Are they worth it?

Best make?

I want the car to look relatively stock, so internal lines is not an option!

I mean just the 12" or so lengths from the pipe to the wheel:thumb:

[AlexW]

If you do all 4 they improve the spongyness of the pedal. Not many makes to go for, Goodrich is the only decent brand that i know of that have them off the shelf, aren't expensive either.

If you understand how they work, by replacing rubber (which absorbs fluid slighty) with plastic which can expand and then wrapping it in braid reduces the amount of fluid pressure lost in the lines. Of course its all in thery lol

[General Lee]

These are mine never heard of them before but look good qaulity.

http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll232/nathnova/My%201988%20Nova%20Saloon/30.jpg

[Iain]

If you understand how they work, by replacing rubber (which absorbs fluid slighty) with plastic which can expand and then wrapping it in braid reduces the amount of fluid lost in the lines, thus less pressure. Of course its all in thery lol

The rubber brake lines absorb and leak brake fluid?! Did I read that right?

[Southie]

Definatley worth it. I noticed a vast improvement under heavy braking. Goodridge are the ones to go for imo.

[GRUNT 16V]

I had them on everything i have owned!!

[Nova_Tek]

I have been debating whehter or not to use braided hoses tbh. I recently had all lines changed for copper and looks like the garage used Ate rubber lines. I suppose if I can get them for a bargian price I mite get them fitted. It's a shame they don't do them in like a matt black finish, that would look much better imo

[AlexW]

The rubber brake lines absorb and leak brake fluid?! Did I read that right?

Not leak, but absorb some fluid.

[Riggy]

its all down to them expanding under high braking pressure , the std rubber line are supposed to expand , by how much i dont know , but the braided ones dont , felt better on my old nova with them , still need to fit them to current nova lol

[dhdev (Oli)]

There's a lot of random 'facts' flying around in here!
The fluid absorption of the lines is a measure of what is known as lost capacity, or in layman's terms dead travel. This is caused by expansion of the hose, braided steel brakelines (and even solid steel bundy pipe) also expand. The improved pedal feel that is often assosciated with braided steel lines comes from a reduced level of hose expansion, however it is not always the case that the steel braided lines have lower absorption than rubber lines. In back-to-back tests rubber lines have been seen to out perform the steel braided lines, it all depends on the quality and age of the rubber lines.

Steel braided lines do however have other benefits such as improved abrasion resistance, better high temperature performance and of course aesthetics.

Also worth bearing in mind is that the majority of brake applications are well below a level that would make any difference in pedal travel noticeable.

[MattBrown]

There's a lot of random 'facts' flying around in here!
The fluid absorption of the lines is a measure of what is known as lost capacity, or in layman's terms dead travel. This is caused by expansion of the hose, braided steel brakelines (and even solid steel bundy pipe) also expand. The improved pedal feel that is often assosciated with braided steel lines comes from a reduced level of hose expansion, however it is not always the case that the steel braided lines have lower absorption than rubber lines. In back-to-back tests rubber lines have been seen to out perform the steel braided lines, it all depends on the quality and age of the rubber lines.

Steel braided lines do however have other benefits such as improved abrasion resistance, better high temperature performance and of course aesthetics.

Also worth bearing in mind is that the majority of brake applications are well below a level that would make any difference in pedal travel noticeable.

Cheers for the techy info:thumb:

+ rep for you:cool:

I think ill get some for her, as Its going to be a summer toy, and the brakes will be getting rather hotlol