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Stainless Steel Brake Lines?

cwkoch

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cwkoch New Member

cwkoch

Posted
Posted

I'm looking to improve the braking performance of my 03 half ton. I don't like the soft feel of the pedal, and general lack of braking power compared to my company's 3/4 ton trucks. Has anyone had good luck with adding stainless steel brake lines? I've already added good pads (Wagner severe duty). I'm not interested in adding a complete big brake kit as I probably won't have this truck for a whole lot longer. Any advice would be appreciated.

 

Thanks

Zembonez Senior Enthusiast

Zembonez

Posted
Posted
I'm looking to improve the braking performance of my 03 half ton. I don't like the soft feel of the pedal, and general lack of braking power compared to my company's 3/4 ton trucks. Has anyone had good luck with adding stainless steel brake lines? I've already added good pads (Wagner severe duty). I'm not interested in adding a complete big brake kit as I probably won't have this truck for a whole lot longer. Any advice would be appreciated.

 

Thanks

I assume you mean braided lines? They are just more durable and abrasion resistant. The construction of any line is not going to affect the 'feel' of the brakes. Master cylinder, booster, proportioning valve, calipers, etc can and do though. Upgrading to larger calipers and rotors can make a huge difference. Shocks even have an impact on brake feel. By limiting suspension movement when brakes are applied they can tighten up brake response. Even the amount of air in your tires can.

L29er Senior Enthusiast

L29er

Posted
Posted

Thanks

I assume you mean braided lines? They are just more durable and abrasion resistant. The construction of any line is not going to affect the 'feel' of the brakes.

 

 

 

Braided stainless steel lines make a large difference in brake feel and stopability, i had a 80 gmc, lifted it and installed all braided lines, truck had a much firmer pedal and stopped much quicker, for example have you ever put your hand on a brake hose while sombody applies the pedal? you can feel it expand, this is lost force applied to the calipers, with braided lines there is zero expansion, all the fuild is used in the calipers instead of expanding the lines, granted everything else in the system can be used to upgrade the stopabilty of the vehicle, ie master, calipers, etc etc. the brake lines are probly a good place to start if everything else in the system is good condition, more affordable and easy to replace, i recommend it! racers have them for a reason!!

2004GMC1500CC Enthusiast

2004GMC1500CC

Posted
Posted
I'm looking to improve the braking performance of my 03 half ton. I don't like the soft feel of the pedal, and general lack of braking power compared to my company's 3/4 ton trucks. Has anyone had good luck with adding stainless steel brake lines? I've already added good pads (Wagner severe duty). I'm not interested in adding a complete big brake kit as I probably won't have this truck for a whole lot longer. Any advice would be appreciated.

 

Thanks

 

I've got em, sitting in a box. Hope to get time this weekend to install them.

Zembonez Senior Enthusiast

Zembonez

Posted
Posted
Braided stainless steel lines make a large difference in brake feel and stopability

 

Not sayin' this isn't possible. I can understand the theory, I just haven't experienced it on any toys I have switched over to braided lines. That might be because other components were switched out at the same time... I don't know. Braided lines are certainly tougher and less likely to be damaged under severe use. That's why we have had them on our race cars...

cwkoch New Member

cwkoch

Posted
  • Author
Posted
I'm looking to improve the braking performance of my 03 half ton. I don't like the soft feel of the pedal, and general lack of braking power compared to my company's 3/4 ton trucks. Has anyone had good luck with adding stainless steel brake lines? I've already added good pads (Wagner severe duty). I'm not interested in adding a complete big brake kit as I probably won't have this truck for a whole lot longer. Any advice would be appreciated.

 

Thanks

I assume you mean braided lines? They are just more durable and abrasion resistant. The construction of any line is not going to affect the 'feel' of the brakes. Master cylinder, booster, proportioning valve, calipers, etc can and do though. Upgrading to larger calipers and rotors can make a huge difference. Shocks even have an impact on brake feel. By limiting suspension movement when brakes are applied they can tighten up brake response. Even the amount of air in your tires can.

 

 

Yes, Of course I mean "braided" stainless lines....

 

I already said I don't plan on doing a big brake kit since I probably won't have this truck much longer. I'm just looking for a somewhat cheap, easy fix for the soft feel in the brakes.

 

Theoretically, the stainless lines should make a big difference because there's no expansion in the brake lines like a rubber line, but I've never done it to a truck, so I was looking for first hand experience from someone who has. The only experience I have with the braided stainless lines is on my sled, a Ski Doo Rev, and it made a HUGE difference switching from a rubber line to a braided stainless line. I can barely pull the brake lever back far enough to set the parking brake....it's VERY stiff, and has a great feel for riding. I was hoping doing this to my truck might help the feel of the brakes, and stiffen it up like an HD.

 

So, anyone with actual experience, can you fill me in????? Thanks!!

Spoonman Enthusiast

Spoonman

Posted
Posted

I changed to braided lines on a sporrt bike once and noticed an immediate improvement, much more responsive. That is/was a common upgrade on motorcycles, I have been out of the loop for years now. I would think it could only improve on a truck...........

J-man67 Senior Enthusiast

J-man67

Posted
Posted
I changed to braided lines on a sporrt bike once and noticed an immediate improvement, much more responsive. That is/was a common upgrade on motorcycles, I have been out of the loop for years now. I would think it could only improve on a truck...........

 

Yeah, both of my bikes have braided lines and I notice an immediate difference as the lines do not expand. The cushy feeling dissapates and they stop better. I also think they would help out on the truck....

Zembonez Senior Enthusiast

Zembonez

Posted
Posted
So, anyone with actual experience, can you fill me in????? Thanks!!

Well our actual experience is on race cars. Never noticed a difference in brake lines... when we upgraded. Most had other A/M brake parts though. My son's M3 track car had brake upgrades prior to going to braided lines. It didn't seem any different once we did but I am sure it is safer. Perhaps with stock parts, the differenc can be felt.

 

Apparently is it possible. I guess you'll just have to go try it.

 

Lotsa luck there Senior Koch.

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