Skip to main content
Topic: Steel Braided brake lines (Read 3355 times) previous topic - next topic

Steel Braided brake lines

Hey all.  Before I put my car up for the winter I only got to drive it a few times and the snow hit.  I did notice that with the new turbo coupe rearend and discs it didn't stop nearly as good as what I had hoped.  I think the problem is that I didn't replace the original rubber brake hoses that go from the hard brake line to the caliper.  To remedy this I'm going to buy some steel braided lines I think.  Are there any brands/kits you guys recommend?
'88 'bird, 10.9:1 306 w/TFS top end, forged rods/pistons, T-5 swap & bunch of other stuff, 1-family owned, had it since ‘98, 5.0tbrd88 on Instagram and YouTube


Re: Steel Braided brake lines

Reply #2
Those hoses are notorious for breaking down and actually colllapse from the inside. Assuming the rest of your braking system is okay (and properly bled), replacing those should solve your problem. I am not aware of any stainless hard line-to-caliper hoses available. Probably have to just stick with the stock TC rubber ones. Those hoses are not cheap either.

Re: Steel Braided brake lines

Reply #3
I'm quite sure a set for Mustang with rear discs will work fine....however as Eric points out, not cheap. I would replace them with new OEM quality units.....the hoses are so short the gain from going to braided to eliminate hose flex would be minimal at best. I had a custom set made by a local shop for my car because the stockers had some cracks and I noticed no difference in pedal feel or stopping power.

 When you did the TC axle swap, what proportioning valve did you use? That could be the problem right there why you didn't feel a difference in braking power.

 

Re: Steel Braided brake lines

Reply #4
Quote
When you did the TC axle swap, what proportioning valve did you use? That could be the problem right there why you didn't feel a difference in braking power.


The proportioning valve used was a Summitt racing one.  I know I probably should have spent a little more money and got a name brand one, but usually summitt has pretty good stuff.  I did notice that the prop. valve doesn't do a whole hell of a lot when adjusted (at least not as much as I'd hoped but this could be because of my assumed brake line problems in the rear). 

Quote
Those hoses are notorious for breaking down and actually colllapse from the inside. Assuming the rest of your braking system is okay


I know that everything is fine with my braking system...minus those hoses.  My guess is that they are the culprit.  So you guys think I'd be best off sticking to stock units for now?  Right now I'm running the stock brakes and MC but in the future I'd like to go to say a larger Cobra set up in the front.    Thanks for the help.  I'd like to get her stopping better for the warm weather.
'88 'bird, 10.9:1 306 w/TFS top end, forged rods/pistons, T-5 swap & bunch of other stuff, 1-family owned, had it since ‘98, 5.0tbrd88 on Instagram and YouTube

Re: Steel Braided brake lines

Reply #5
When i swapped my rear end for an 8.8 disc setup, i used a JEGS prop valve.  I also don't feel alot of pedal/ stopping action.  I've replaced the all the lines and used an OEM brake line for the back.  I think the problem i have is my mastercylinder not the lines.  It should stop alot better than it does.
84 TC 302 -5.0L/t5/7.5 locking rear and a 3.45 gear, Edelbrock Intake, Aluminum Heads, Edlebrock 65mm Throttlebody, Edlebrock Cam, 24lb injectors & MAS Air Sensor calibrated via chip,  BBK headers, Catback H pipe, Magnaflow lers :evilgrin:
:pics-stfu:

 Project Thread with pics

Re: Steel Braided brake lines

Reply #6
Quote from: 50tbrd88
The proportioning valve used was a Summitt racing one.  I know I probably should have spent a little more money and got a name brand one, but usually summitt has pretty good stuff.  I did notice that the prop. valve doesn't do a whole hell of a lot when adjusted (at least not as much as I'd hoped but this could be because of my assumed brake line problems in the rear). 


The Summit piece is just a Wilwood piece with their name on it - probably not an issue.
11.96 @ 118 MPH old 306 KB; 428W coming soon.