I was told by the previous owner that some of the rubber brake lines are cracked on the SE. I looked, sure enough, some of the front rubber is cracking. Should I buy the $$ metal ones, or just get rubber replacements?
Wondering if anyone has used the metal ones from mazdatrix before.
Thanks!

 

depends on how hard you drive. the braided will give you far superior feel. so weigh up price comared to the performance and how much of a necessity it will be.

 

How much are rubber lines?

~T.J.

 

The "stainless steel" brake lines are actually teflon tubing in a braided jacket. They don't "bulge" like rubber lines and give a harder brake pedal, when you step on the brakes they are RIGHT THERE. Their downside is their expense and their propensity to break, due to their being much less flexible than the rubber ones. The trick is to route the lines so they flex along their length to avoid localized tension on the tubing.
They do look bitchin', though.
A guy I know is giving me (!) an SA parts car that has been converted to run the GSL rearend and includes all SS brake lines!

 

SS brake lines are $100 for all 5 at www.rx7.com for the 81-85 with rear disc. Theyre DOT approved too. I dont know if thats cheaper than rubber or not.

~T.J.

 

Sorry, TJ, I don't know how much the rubber hoses are off hand, probably less than $100/set, though that does seem like a very good price for the SS ones.
I've never HAD to replace one *knock on wood*.
-WG