Stainless Steel Brake Hoses

AP Racing - Chris_B · 06-08-2009, 03:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by beef1020

This is probably a noob question but are brake lines on the E9X purely rubber? Has anyone ever cut the stock lines to see if there is an inner stainless line?

When I changed the brakes on an old volvo s70 my front brake line was cracking and I noticed under the rubber outside of the hose was a stainless steel line. So on the volvo the brake lines were already stainless steel coated with a rubber liner.

There is typically polyester, fiberglass and sometimes steel threading in the OE rubber brake hoses. This improves stiffness, but mostly is there for longevity as most people leave the OE ones on forever. It also helps with reducing the chance of the line collapsing internally, which is the most common mode of failure. They are not even close to the stiffness of a high quality steel-braided TEFLON-lined performance brake line.

beef1020 · 06-09-2009, 08:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AP Racing - Chris_B

There is typically polyester, fiberglass and sometimes steel threading in the OE rubber brake hoses. This improves stiffness, but mostly is there for longevity as most people leave the OE ones on forever. It also helps with reducing the chance of the line collapsing internally, which is the most common mode of failure. They are not even close to the stiffness of a high quality steel-braided TEFLON-lined performance brake line.

Thanks for the info

Digital.James · 06-09-2009, 10:23 AM

I must say this is the biggest waste of money for a car you can spend. All the hype and media saying that stainless lines improve brake feel and bite is a crock.

I had a S2000 i tracked regulary back in the days (S2000 challenge with speed ventures), one day changing my pads, i jacked up one of my brake lines. My friend had a brand new set of stainless lines, so I swaped it in. I was lazy so I didnt change the others. My friend was convinced the lines would change my bias, and throw off my braking. Theyre advertised to improve bite right? So one brake out of four would "bite" sooner right? Well it didnt. I ran about 4 more sessions, and nothing changed. Not one thing.

Funny thing, the next time out, another S2K guy wanted to prove the theory and changed out one side completely, and he came back with the same results...

Save yourself some cash and dont buy into the hype

AP Racing - Chris_B · 06-09-2009, 04:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Digital.James

I must say this is the biggest waste of money for a car you can spend. All the hype and media saying that stainless lines improve brake feel and bite is a crock.

I had a S2000 i tracked regulary back in the days (S2000 challenge with speed ventures), one day changing my pads, i jacked up one of my brake lines. My friend had a brand new set of stainless lines, so I swaped it in. I was lazy so I didnt change the others. My friend was convinced the lines would change my bias, and throw off my braking. Theyre advertised to improve bite right? So one brake out of four would "bite" sooner right? Well it didnt. I ran about 4 more sessions, and nothing changed. Not one thing.

Funny thing, the next time out, another S2K guy wanted to prove the theory and changed out one side completely, and he came back with the same results...

Save yourself some cash and dont buy into the hype

If people are saying they improve brake bite or can affect bias, they do not understand how they work or they are attempting to mislead someone. As I described earlier, they do not affect line pressure at all. The major line manufacturers make no such claims. I don't pay much attention to the hype on eBay and other such amateur sources, so you could have a point there.

If people are saying they don't improve brake feel, then they are rather numb to changes in the car. Most driver's can feel the difference fairly easily, especially when the car is pushed hard. They are one of the best low-cost "bang-for-the-buck" brake upgrades anyone can do.

I've personally upgraded almost every car I have ever owned to high-quality stainless steel brake lines. For most of them, the change was immediately noticeable. The E28 M5 was so much more fun, I drove it up the coast the same day for no other reason. For one Mercedes, it was more subtle, likely due to so much other compliance in the rest of the system. That car was numb to any inputs, but my wife loved to drive it!

boilerdan33 · 06-09-2009, 10:11 PM

I checked out the kit made by Stop-tech, and they offer only the fronts and rears in the kit. If I'm going to go through the trouble of changing the lines, I want to change all six, so I'm leaning toward the ECS kit. Do you know if Stop Tech offers the mids somewhere else? I couldn't find anything through a search.

D

e90southfl · 06-09-2009, 10:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boilerdan33

I checked out the kit made by Stop-tech, and they offer only the fronts and rears in the kit. If I'm going to go through the trouble of changing the lines, I want to change all six, so I'm leaning toward the ECS kit. Do you know if Stop Tech offers the mids somewhere else? I couldn't find anything through a search.

D

The mid lines do come with the StopTech kit. They just don't state it as clearly in the description. There are 6 lines as you can see in the picture.

boilerdan33 · 06-09-2009, 11:54 PM

I looked up the brake lines through the check out and could only find the fronts and rears listed, not the whole kit. I'll guess I'll call them tomorrow and try to find out how much the kit with all six lines costs.

D

e90southfl · 06-10-2009, 08:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boilerdan33

I looked up the brake lines through the check out and could only find the fronts and rears listed, not the whole kit. I'll guess I'll call them tomorrow and try to find out how much the kit with all six lines costs.

D

I guess I was not clear. The mid lines are included with the rear lines. When you buy the rear lines, the mids are included. Hope that helps!

ECSTuning · 06-10-2009, 10:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lbouchard

Stoptech does not have front brake lines for the 335XI

We now have XI Stainless Lines available:

http://www.ecstuning.com/BMW-E90-335...aign=postreply

boilerdan33 · 06-17-2009, 04:06 PM

Thanks e90SouthFl,

After you mentioned it, I saw that the ad for the rears state that the rears are a four line set, so that makes it crystal. I'll be ordering these soon. Question, is it necessary to replace the wear sensors when you change over to SS brake lines? I thought I read somewhere it was...

D

CV335 · 06-17-2009, 11:27 PM

Noob question: besides prolonged lifespan, are there other benefits from switching the rubber lines to stainless steel?

ECSTuning · 06-18-2009, 08:56 AM

Wear sensors on pads should not need to get changed out for any reason with the addition of stainless lines. Some brands of pads do not have wear sensors, but the stainless lines themselves should not have anything to do with the wear sensors.

The main benefit of the stainless lines is the reduced flex in the line. The OEM lines can "bloat" which can give the pedal a spongy feeling. The stainless lines do not flex, so all pressure is directed at actual braking. Most people will report back with a firmer pedal feel after installing them.

06-09-2009, 10:23 AM	#25
Digital.James Colonel 125 Rep 2,702 Posts Drives: GT4, Raptor.2, Tuono 1100F Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: NC iTrader: (7)	I must say this is the biggest waste of money for a car you can spend. All the hype and media saying that stainless lines improve brake feel and bite is a crock. I had a S2000 i tracked regulary back in the days (S2000 challenge with speed ventures), one day changing my pads, i jacked up one of my brake lines. My friend had a brand new set of stainless lines, so I swaped it in. I was lazy so I didnt change the others. My friend was convinced the lines would change my bias, and throw off my braking. Theyre advertised to improve bite right? So one brake out of four would "bite" sooner right? Well it didnt. I ran about 4 more sessions, and nothing changed. Not one thing. Funny thing, the next time out, another S2K guy wanted to prove the theory and changed out one side completely, and he came back with the same results... Save yourself some cash and dont buy into the hype
	Appreciate 0 Quote

06-09-2009, 10:11 PM	#27
boilerdan33 Adrenaline Junkie Extrordinaire 11 Rep 78 Posts Drives: 08 E90 335i Steptronic ZSP Join Date: May 2009 Location: Chicago iTrader: (2)	Options.... I checked out the kit made by Stop-tech, and they offer only the fronts and rears in the kit. If I'm going to go through the trouble of changing the lines, I want to change all six, so I'm leaning toward the ECS kit. Do you know if Stop Tech offers the mids somewhere else? I couldn't find anything through a search. D __________________ Auto Parts: 1. Light 2. Strong 3. Cheap -Pick Two Women: 1. Hot 2.Sane 3.Single -Pick Two
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06-09-2009, 11:54 PM	#29
boilerdan33 Adrenaline Junkie Extrordinaire 11 Rep 78 Posts Drives: 08 E90 335i Steptronic ZSP Join Date: May 2009 Location: Chicago iTrader: (2)	Where... I looked up the brake lines through the check out and could only find the fronts and rears listed, not the whole kit. I'll guess I'll call them tomorrow and try to find out how much the kit with all six lines costs. D __________________ Auto Parts: 1. Light 2. Strong 3. Cheap -Pick Two Women: 1. Hot 2.Sane 3.Single -Pick Two
	Appreciate 0 Quote

06-17-2009, 04:06 PM	#32
boilerdan33 Adrenaline Junkie Extrordinaire 11 Rep 78 Posts Drives: 08 E90 335i Steptronic ZSP Join Date: May 2009 Location: Chicago iTrader: (2)	Thanks... Thanks e90SouthFl, After you mentioned it, I saw that the ad for the rears state that the rears are a four line set, so that makes it crystal. I'll be ordering these soon. Question, is it necessary to replace the wear sensors when you change over to SS brake lines? I thought I read somewhere it was... D __________________ Auto Parts: 1. Light 2. Strong 3. Cheap -Pick Two Women: 1. Hot 2.Sane 3.Single -Pick Two
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06-17-2009, 11:27 PM	#33
CV335 Major 67 Rep 1,209 Posts Drives: '06 MCS Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: TX iTrader: (5)	Noob question: besides prolonged lifespan, are there other benefits from switching the rubber lines to stainless steel?
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06-18-2009, 08:56 AM	#34
ECSTuning New Lifetime Replacement Policy 849 Rep 11,738 Posts Drives: Independent Tuning Specialists Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Ohio iTrader: (18)	Wear sensors on pads should not need to get changed out for any reason with the addition of stainless lines. Some brands of pads do not have wear sensors, but the stainless lines themselves should not have anything to do with the wear sensors. The main benefit of the stainless lines is the reduced flex in the line. The OEM lines can "bloat" which can give the pedal a spongy feeling. The stainless lines do not flex, so all pressure is directed at actual braking. Most people will report back with a firmer pedal feel after installing them.
	Appreciate 0 Quote