source for stainless steel brake lines

I'd like to upgrade my brakelines to braded stainless steel from the rubber ones which are looking quite tired. Any recommendations as to where I can get these?

I got mine from MechSpec MG off of eBay. They are in the UK but even with the shipping they were cheaper than anywhere else that I could find. $60 including shipping. I would just go back with stock rubber lines though. The stainless aren't an "upgrade" IMHO.

I just swapped my rubber lines with stainless ones on my car three days ago. I've read on here of people saying that they are getting a firmer pedal out of them, which is what I was kind of expecting. That was not my case. Pedal feel is the exact same. I think what is happening is when people put the new hoses on, they are also bleeding their brakes. I think that their brakes really just needed be bled, but when they bleed them and add hoses at the same time, shazzam, the hoses are what helped!

Of course, you could just put the GT cylinders on there. I heard that is a good upgrade...

James - good point. Why does bleeding help? Is it because the brake fluid is "tired" or is it because there are air bubbles?

Cheers

Rich

Ive always heard air bubbles

Just air. You have to bleed them when you swap lines. My thought is people really just needed to give their brakes a good bleed in the first place. That or it is all a "mental improvement" for them. Just my opinion though.

OK, bleeding the brakes is next weekends job!

Cheers

gatorbrit Wrote:

tired brake fluid is not the original color. the fluid will absorb moisture and over time
will darken compared to when it was new..need to bleed to prevent corrosion in
the system and fade.

lbcnut Wrote:

sweep Wrote:

Sorry, I didn't realise that you don't mean what you actually say. My mistake.

Chris

"I think what is happening is when people put the new hoses on, they are also bleeding their brakes."

You must be referring to this sentence? Perhaps I should have said:

"I think what is happening is when people put the new hoses on, they are also required to bleed their brakes as well."

Phrased better? English isn't my forte...

Apology accepted :)

Chris

the stainless lines need to be eyeballed, probably at every oil change/lube.

they are more likely to be damaged by road debris than the rubber ones and when they fail it is all over, whereas the stock lines wil usually give warning.

kinda like 195 tires vs 175s...the smaller ones will break lose sooner and with more warning, whereas the fat ones stick and stick and gone.

i think the "Goodridge" front lines are a couple inches too short...I don't like the appearance of tugging at full lock. but mine seem to be ok after about 5 years. (I like my 195s, too<G>)

Got mine from Summitt Auto Parts on line. They are Russell brand and fit well. they require adapter ends to mate to the MGB hard lines but are easy to fit. Called Russell tech and they gave me the part #'s and all is well. i was leary of E-Bay purchase since this is my BRAKES.
PM me if you decide to try Russell and i can share the part #''s. around $85 at time 2 years ago

You can make your own stainless braided lines or have them made at any good hydraulic shop. You will need the adaptors from the British flair to AN as most fittings for the braided stainless teflon lines are AN. I humbly disagree with Mac about these lines being any less roadworthy than the original rubber hoses, from my experience they are nearly "bullit proof". I've had them on my car for 8 years now without problem and they are used almost exclusivly on all race cars under extremely grueling conditions. The reason for the firmer pedal will only become apparent when you really stand on the brakes and get the line pressure up. The original reinforced rubber hoses tend to expand slightly under pressure and cause a tiny bit of pedal movement, the stainless braided teflon lines don't expand and thus you have a slightly firmer pedal under high loads. The two areas where brake hose failures might occur are the same with the braided stainless lines as with the rubber ones, the hose can blow out of the fitting or the hose can rupture. The fitting problem is probably less with a stainless line if properly assembled because the teflon and stainless material will not degrade or soften over time as will the rubber and the rated burst strength of the teflon line is much higher than the rubber line. One other failure with rubber lines is that they can swell internally and reduce or shut off fluid flow, the teflon lines won't do this. As you can see, I'm a fan of the stainless/teflon lines and don't hesitate to recommend them.

8 years Bill? They're just puppies! I've had the Goodridge on mine w/silicone 20 yrs.
Not a problem, never been changed, no leaks, knock wood.
Rob

Gordon at the B-Hive has them in stock.

Kelly, can you post a picture of the front of your car. That bumper bar treatment looks pretty cool.
I like the rubber brake hoses, you can examine them better.

lbcnut Wrote: