Whether you work with vehicles full time or enjoy adapting and improving cars or motorcycles as a hobby on the weekends, it may have been recommended that you look into replacing old rubber brake hoses with stainless steel braided brake hoses.
Braided brake hoses are commonly made from either Teflon or PTFE (Polytetrafluoroethylene), with an outer shell of stainless-steel wire – but how do they compare to their rubber counterparts?
Here’s everything you need to know.
Improved longevity with stainless steel brake lines
With rubber brake hoses, you’ll likely experience problems like tube expansion, leaks and other impacts of general wear and tear.
However, due to the hard-wearing components that go into the creation of stainless-steel braided brake lines, these problems are virtually non-existent.
They’re also far more resistant to corrosion. This makes them the perfect partner for a system dedicated to transferring hydraulic fluid in all weather and on a variety of road surfaces.
As a result, your vehicle’s performance will be enhanced, and you’ll be able to rely on the safety and quality of your car or motorcycle’s braking system for much longer.
You won’t need to replace them as often, and most stainless steel brake lines are expected to last between 7-15 years.
Braided brake lines are customisable
If you’re the kind of person that takes immense pride in the appearance of your vehicle, then you’ll absolutely love braided brake hoses.
Admittedly, rubber brake hoses don’t make for a particularly attractive accessory. However, by opting for a stainless-steel alternative, you’ll be able to match its colour and finish with the rest of your bodywork to create a look you can be proud of.
Easy to install and maintain
It doesn’t take long at all to have a braided brake hose fitted, and they require very little upkeep and maintenance.
By choosing stainless steel brake lines, you’ll be able to save lots of time, money and stress in the long run.
Better performance
Whilst rubber brake hoses offer a plethora of benefits – including their low cost, low maintenance and durability, they usually are only appropriate for non-performance-orientated vehicles.
Rubber brake hoses are more suitable if you’re looking for a simple solution to allow your car or motorcycle to get you from A to B. However, if you’re into any kind of performance or off-road driving, stainless steel brake lines are a much better option.
This is because, under pressure, stainless steel brake lines don’t swell and bulge as much as rubber.
They successfully retain their integrity, allowing you to perform more sensitive brake adjustments and significantly improve the overall efficiency of your vehicle’s hydraulic brake system.
Ready to invest in stainless steel brake lines?
When investing in braided brake lines, it’s important to purchase them from a provider you know you can trust – whether it be a well-known supplier or an established brake hose specialist.
Most garages will carry them, and offer installation services for an additional fee – or you can order them online (along with the appropriate fittings) and install them yourself at home.
Still not sold on stainless steel brake lines?
Get in touch with the flexible hose specialists at Brake Quip for further guidance and advice. They’d be more than happy to answer your questions and provide their expertise.