Well yesterday was a wrenchen day. I needed to get the 7 inspected so what better time to do some work. I was lucky enough to keep the milage under 5000 for the year so I was exempt from emisions . I have had a set a RP stage 1 brake pads laying around since christmas waiting for a good oportunity to slap on the car; and I just got my Corksport stainless steel brake lines in hours before I left for the shop. The brake line swap went easy as pie, except for getting the fittings up through the lil mounts on the fender wall. The mounts needed to be reamed out a lil so the fittings could fit up high enough to get the clip on. After that we changed the pads which is routine. We then bled the system about four times just to be safe. I took her out for a ride and the brakes felt good; but I was expecting more. I thought SS lines were supposed to give a firmer brake feel . But the pedal felt just the same as it did with the stock lines. They do look nice, and give a lil peace of mind. For $80, I guess they are worth it.

 

I'm no expert, but I'd say that if you didn't feel much difference, you should be happy! I helped run SS lines in a friends' car and he was raving all afternoon how "solid and firm" they made the pedal feel.

After listening to it for a few hours, I pulled the old lines out of the trash and took a real close look at them: even without pressure 3 of them were buldging out (obviously stealing pressure from the pads).

So your lines were still in good shape -- you weren't in much danger of rupturing a hose. With the SS upgrade, you'll be old LONG before the lines are.

Hey, $80 is a great investment for your piece of mind!


RM

 

Right!

 

The SS brake lines will only help if you have bad standard lines or are in High temp racing where they are less likely to bulge whne the fluid is near boiling in the caliper.

Samps, did you cover yours with shrink tube or conformal coating before installing them? We used to always do that back in the days of street racing. It keeps out the dirt and sand from wedging into the SS braid and eating up the teflon or silicon tubing underneith.

Not as much of a problem on other SS lines (like the oil cooler or clutch) that don't move as much as brake lines, but I have seen quite a few older (read 2 years old +) SS brake lines leak and rupturing under the SS covering because of it.

 

Just curious... how long are these lines supposed to be? I ordered some and the guy gave me a package with 4 lines in it that were aboot a foot and a half long each. Does that sound right? I thought they would be longer than that or something...

Thanks

 

I still have my goodridge SS lines to put in. It's been 6 months, and I'm too lazy to put them in.

 

That sounds right. they only replace the rubber part of the lines.

 

I didn't cover them with anything (that would hide the beautiful SS; hehehe). I only drive the car about 3000-4000 miles a year; so I should be good for awhile. The lines are not very long, a foot and a half sounds right.

 

coo, thanks, Im puttin them on this weekend

 

I was wondering if that is the difference between DOT legal/certified SS lines and those that weren't. The DOT does not want the lines to fray. As far as I know, the Goodridge ones are DOT/TUV certified. Most of the other brands weren't.
Bummer about leakage; I hope that the certification isn't just another kickback paid to the DOT/TUV inspectors.

Where do you get the coating or shrink tubing? I need some in red to match the rest of my car.

 

On my Toyotas I have alway used clear shrink tube from the local electronics hobby shops and liquidators, but I know a couple of people that have been using spray on Conformal coating (again electronics companies like Radio Shack for water proofing and sealing circuit boards and electrical wires).

I was also thinking that the flexible plastic coating for tools would work as well, but I don't know anyone that has tried it.

 

I am going to pick up a can of the tool dip. I completely forgot about that stuff. And the red tool dip on the tools that my dad gave me actually matches the car. Plus the tool dip lasts forever. Some off the tools are 35+ years old. I think that I am going to spend some time red dipping every metal line I can find. Should be an interesting project.
RadShak around here never has anything and we are lacking in good($cheap$) electronic stores.

 

I put SS lines on my car a few months ago as well as rebuilt the master cylinder and calipers. I did not notice much difference in pedal feel either. I was kinda disappointed, but I feel a little more confident that one of the lines aren't going to blow out.