Where can I purchase Braided Brake Lines Options

[quadracerx]

Where can I buy new braided brake lines for both front and rear caliper to fitting?

Thanks...

Steve

[Cap'n Krusty]

You're all waiting for me, right?

Failure mode for OE lines is usually internal swelling causing the brakes to stay applied on one or more wheels, and occurs mostly after 15-20 years of never changing the brake fluid. Occasionally, one will break at the crimp, but it's rare and usually related to installation error. Failure mode of SS braided teflon lines is utter, instant, and total loss of brakes. Furthermore, it's recommended they be inspected every few months (remember, you CANNOT see the actual pressure line under the braid, and the covering over the braid, in some cases), and changed every couple of years. The braid can (and often does) trap dirt and sand, which then eats up the teflon liner, or the SS gets damaged and cuts through the teflon like a Sawzall with a fresh blade.

Sure, they run 'em on race cars. They're installed by guys who do it every season, sometimes more. They're checked before, during, and after every outing, and the cars run on racetracks, where there's a greatly reduced chance of becoming involved with dirt, sand, and general road debris. The fluid gets flushed after every race or practice session, giving further opportunity for visual and physical inspection.

Most of us, and that includes those who compete in their cars, can't tell the difference in pedal feel between cars equally equipped, with the exception of the type of brake hoses. New OE type lines have the same pedal feel as new SS braided teflon lines.

In most cases, OE type lines are cheaper, last for 10-20 years (and probably more if the fluid is flushed every 2 years as it's supposed to be), and provide safe, reliable braking. Even if the SS hoses were the same price, and required no adapter pieces, they'd cost you 10 times as much over that 20 years, and you'd have 10 times the labor, and the irritation of 4-6 careful inspections a year.

But they're shiny! Well, sort of ........................

BTW, I've PERSONALLY seen 2 or 3 failures of SS lines, and 1 of OE type lines. The SS line cars represent less than .5% of my clientele, and there over a thousand cars on that list. I've also seen pictures from a guy on the quattro list from a brake line failure at a Quattro Club track day at Watkins Glen (or maybe Bridgehampton). Not pretty, and NOT cheap. If you have a brake failure related accident, and your insurance company finds out you have SS braided hoses, they may very well tell you "so long, and thanks for all the money ...........". That MAY even hold true for DOT approved SS lines, just because they can.

Have a nice day, The Cap'n