Toughness of braided brake lines

[inquirer]

... or you're just getting better at doing brake jobs. There shouldn't be any wear difference between braided and non-.

I'm not sure if there is anything that can go that wrong when changing pads... I just lubricate the pins and the pistons, brush the calipers add some anti-squeal paste at the edges of the pads and assemble the calipers.

In the past, I once had significantly uneven wear of the pads on the front axle between wheels and within the same caliper. A car mechanic had suggested that either the caliper had a problem or the hose had developed a stricture internally, something that can't neither be seen or felt by hand. Externally the hoses had no signs of wear. I changed both the front OE brake hoses with a pair of TRW hoses and the problem of the uneven wear resolved immediately.

But there was always a little difference, not significant. A little, but visible. With the Goodridge hoses as far as I remember, it was the first time I observed 100% even wear in all 4 front pads.

Also one of the rear calipers wears the outer pad, the one on the opposite side of the piston, more. That's something that started since the car was new and has become worse the last year. That's the first time I will change rear pads while I have installed the Goodridge brake lines. I'll see if they are going to make any difference in the rear.

 

[Falcon_LS]

This is another one of those things I put in the To Each, Their Own category. I've got custom made braided lines on all my vehicles, primarily because I have come to distrust rubber components after many bad experiences under extremely hot weather conditions; rubber, heat and pressure are just not a good combination.

While in much cooler climates, components like radiator hoses or rubber brake hoses might last the life of the vehicle, out here their life is cut extremely short. The rubber hardens, becoming almost like plastic, and then the problems follow. Prior to @Trav switching out my injector seals to Viton, the rubber seals would simply crumble and you'd have all sorts of issues until you pinpointed what it was. Tires are a whole other issue altogether.

That said, I find with braided lines, not only does the pedal feel firmer but the fluid maintains its light color for much longer. With rubber hoses, it would turn dark like olive oil within 2 months. I also tend to replace my brake fluid at least once a year, if not twice, especially on the Grand Marquis with Wilwood brakes. The firmer pedal also provides an added sense of security in a way, considering it's not uncommon here to be doing 90 MPH on the freeway only to have to come to a complete stop a short moment later.

 

[shortyb]

What's the upkeep on those for a street vehicle? Was always tempted but worried about frequent servicing

Basically nil. Silicone grease on initial install and they have caps over the pin/bushing to keep dirt out. I service them, (clean/regrease) when I do fluid flushes because I'm close to the calipers anyway. Takes no time to do.

 

[Nessism1]

This is another one of those things I put in the To Each, Their Own category. I've got custom made braided lines on all my vehicles, primarily because I have come to distrust rubber components after many bad experiences under extremely hot weather conditions; rubber, heat and pressure are just not a good combination.

While in much cooler climates, components like radiator hoses or rubber brake hoses might last the life of the vehicle, out here their life is cut extremely short. The rubber hardens, becoming almost like plastic, and then the problems follow. Prior to @Trav switching out my injector seals to Viton, the rubber seals would simply crumble and you'd have all sorts of issues until you pinpointed what it was. Tires are a whole other issue altogether.

That said, I find with braided lines, not only does the pedal feel firmer but the fluid maintains its light color for much longer. With rubber hoses, it would turn dark like olive oil within 2 months. I also tend to replace my brake fluid at least once a year, if not twice, especially on the Grand Marquis with Wilwood brakes. The firmer pedal also provides an added sense of security in a way, considering it's not uncommon here to be doing 90 MPH on the freeway only to have to come to a complete stop a short moment later.

If the fluid turns dark after only 2 months, that means that you have crud in the system contaminating the clean fluid. This is common with old motorcycles; a scale develops inside the lines and calipers, and after people "flush" the system, the old fluid turns dark shortly thereafter.

And for what it's worth, I make my own lines for motorcycles using Earl's parts.

P1010705 by nessism, on Flickr

P1010652 by nessism, on Flickr

 

[KevinMalone]

Basically nil. Silicone grease on initial install and they have caps over the pin/bushing to keep dirt out. I service them, (clean/regrease) when I do fluid flushes because I'm close to the calipers anyway. Takes no time to do.

Do you find any dirt accumulated when you service them?

 

[shortyb]

Do you find any dirt accumulated when you service them?

None except on the outside of the caps. Inside is clean.