Anyone fitted braided steel brake hoses??!!!

[chuggers72]

Afternoon All

I am in the process of a front brake overhaul. I'm about to fit a set of Black Diamond stainless steel brake hoses as the cost was only marginally more than rubber.

I'm assuming you cannot pinch these shut with clamps in any future bleeding so have been pointed towards Speedbleed nipples with a one way valve as a solution:

http://www.russellperformance.com/mc/sp ... stic.shtml

Questions are - anyone else fitted steel hoses? Whats the feedback on them - I'd imagine performance is much better,

Also if you have fitted them anyone used one way bleeders?

All comments appeciated

[lloydy]

I've never needed to pinch hoses to bleed the system, or use any fancy items. Have found on these vans, gravity bleeding works best. Is a one man job and nice and relaxed.

[chuggers72]

Sorry should have made myself more clear Lloydy I can understand that might not have made complete sense!

I was thinking if I fit stainless steel lines - how do I stem the flow of brake fluid if I remove the caliper in the future. With rubber you can pinch it shut but what do you do with stainless?

As for the one way bleeders - I thought they would just be useful to aid a bleed off. As you can probably tell - this will the first time I will have bled a brake system so I'm learning (but enjoying it ). I may well just keep the originals and not bother with the 'fancy stuff'!

[lloydy]

if I've ever wanted to remove a single caliper i just remove the lid of the reservoir and put cling film over it and secure with rubber band. this stops air getting in which in turn stops fluid leaking out. your choice on the bleeders, but i find a gravity bleed really easy and stress free

[chuggers72]

OK I'm convinced by that - I'll take your advice and stick to gravity!

[California Dreamin]

Performance increase (slightly and I mean slightly...firmer brake pedal) is minimal.
I had a bit of a nightmare with my so called performance overbraided brake hoses (late callipers)....I just couldn't stop them catching on the inside of the tyre (standard tyres on option VW Carat wheels) On full lock the tyres wore through the rubber buffers and then through the plastic covering on the hoses (this would have been an MOT failure 4 sure)
Incidently..I followed every instruction from the 'Well Known' supplier and ADJUSTED there position 3 - 4 times before giving up on them....
I ended up removing mine and fitting genuine VW pipes which were surprisingly cheap (about £13 each if my memory serves me)

I was told that I was the ONLY person to have reported a problem ... even though I did received a PM from another member on here who had the same issue.



Martin

[kevtherev]

fitted mine 4 years ago.
No increase in performance
No issues to report.
Other than no advisories any more about the rusty ferrules

never had the need to crimp a brake pipe ever

[jpennington]

if I've ever wanted to remove a single caliper i just remove the lid of the reservoir and put cling film over it and secure with rubber band. this stops air getting in which in turn stops fluid leaking out.

I find it helps to fold the cling film to get double thickness, then screw the reservoir lid back over the film. Easier than fiddling with rubber bands.
I've just used this technique to remove and service the calipers on my BMW (OK it's not a T25 but it is German)

jp

[jamiehamy]

I have them fitted to mine. Along with new front brakes, they are absolutely spot on. I fitted them to my Corrado VR6 and the difference was very noticable. Probably harder to notice on the T25, but I'm quite happy with mine - good pedal feel, do not have to pres too hard to get a very quick stop and happier that the performance will not deteriorate over time the way they will with rubber.

[itchyfeet]

happier that the performance will not deteriorate over time the way they will with rubber.

surely they are rubber under the braided steel so will deteriorate but you just won't see it?

[pionte]

What can happen with flexible brake pipes is as the rubber deteriorates they can bulg, this will obviously reduce the force acting on the piston, it's not always possible to visually see that the rubber is doing this. there is some give even with brand new ones, most people wouldn't notice it though.

[California Dreamin]

I have them fitted to mine. Along with new front brakes, they are absolutely spot on. I fitted them to my Corrado VR6 and the difference was very noticable. Probably harder to notice on the T25, but I'm quite happy with mine - good pedal feel, do not have to pres too hard to get a very quick stop and happier that the performance will not deteriorate over time the way they will with rubber.

You talk as if traditional flexi's deteriorate 'progressively' that the pedal 'slowly' gets worse....this is just not the case, their performance remains unchanged until they need replacement.
Similar in a lot of ways to a tyre...if they develop certain faults they need to be changed....most are age related.
Perishing/corroded ferrels/splits/cuts/bulges they should be regularly checked and changed if they develop any common fault signs.
Performance is only effected when they develop certain faults, by which point they need changing anyway.

Martin

[AdrianC]

I was thinking if I fit stainless steel lines - how do I stem the flow of brake fluid if I remove the caliper in the future. With rubber you can pinch it shut but what do you do with stainless?

If you're having to replace a caliper, it's probably died because of failure to change the fluid regularly anyway...

[chuggers72]

Good point...I'm hoping not to have to do it again....was more of a what if/curiosity question.

Anyway, I've got the stainless hoses (at least they look nicer than rubber!) and they are going on this week/weekend. Will update with an opinion of their performance for future potential users.

[California Dreamin]

Don't forget to fit with the necessary 'twist' so they don't touch the tyres. As per Brickwerks instructions (I presume that's where they are from?)



Martin