Stainless Steel Brake Lines
05-01-2007, 02:35 PM
#1
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,180
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Stainless Steel Brake Lines
Do stainless steel brake lines make much of a difference for pedal feel and brake effectiveness? If so, are upgraded rear steel brake lines necessary as well? (I read in Fourtitude's Project TT page that the lines are mostly metal.) Any ideas?
05-01-2007, 02:41 PM
#2
AudiWorld Super User
Join Date: Nov 2003
Posts: 5,583
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
SS Brake lines are an improvement to the OEM lines>>
The OEM rubber brake lines expand under heavy braking due to the excessive heat. SS Brake lines don't expand that much under heavy load and will give you a stiffer brake pedal.
05-01-2007, 02:51 PM
#3
In my case, no. But I left them in there anyway. I really thought the long rubber wrapped front
lines replaced with my stoptech stainless will make a difference. But I really can't tell, and my wife still thinks the braking (relatively) sux - for AutoX and track. I mean it is great for spirited driving, but not at the performance level we need for competition in our class.
This is because we have the same brake pads, stainless steel lines, plus the TT carrier on the A4. But the A4 stops on a dime with very little pedal effort, and a lot of brake dust - i.e. more friction. The main difference is fluid and rotors on the A4. The fluid I used is Motul 6.0, the rotors are ECS floating rotors (which warp btw).
The TT has brand new Castrol SRF and stock rotors. This will soon be changed to db rotors and motul fluid. Then the TT pedal feel will be right, and the TT can match our A4 in braking.
This is because we have the same brake pads, stainless steel lines, plus the TT carrier on the A4. But the A4 stops on a dime with very little pedal effort, and a lot of brake dust - i.e. more friction. The main difference is fluid and rotors on the A4. The fluid I used is Motul 6.0, the rotors are ECS floating rotors (which warp btw).
The TT has brand new Castrol SRF and stock rotors. This will soon be changed to db rotors and motul fluid. Then the TT pedal feel will be right, and the TT can match our A4 in braking.
05-01-2007, 03:37 PM
#4
AudiWorld Awesome User
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Kennesaw, GA
Posts: 12,185
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Yes IMO. I got StopTech Stage 2 w/ the SS lines just last month.
I tried the setup before and after SSL installation, and the 'feel' on Road Atlanta was noticeably different.
05-01-2007, 03:44 PM
#5
Stainless lines improved my pedal feel, but only a little bit.
I have Abt stainless lines on the front and rear. I found that pedal feel and firmness increased slightly but not dramatically. I also installed a caliper stiffening kit from Tyrolsport and noticed a further small benefit. This kit replaces the rubber inserts in the caliper pin guides with brass sleeves.
I think both mods were worth it despite the smaller benefits. By means of comparison, did a two-day Skip Barber class last weekend where I drove several P-cars and M3s at Laguna Seca. Getting into my car today, my brake feel is noticably better than many of the (admittedly thrashed) cars at the school.
I think both mods were worth it despite the smaller benefits. By means of comparison, did a two-day Skip Barber class last weekend where I drove several P-cars and M3s at Laguna Seca. Getting into my car today, my brake feel is noticably better than many of the (admittedly thrashed) cars at the school.
05-01-2007, 03:59 PM
#6
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,180
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Yes, I'm eyeing those two mods myself.
I'm not planning to go with a BBK, despite it's obvious benefits. I want brake feel that's perfect for daily driving yet great for the occasional canyon run.
--My setup is paired with Hawk HPS pads and ECS rotors (X-Drilled/Slotted).
Anybody try the ECS Stainless brake lines?
--My setup is paired with Hawk HPS pads and ECS rotors (X-Drilled/Slotted).
Anybody try the ECS Stainless brake lines?
05-01-2007, 04:29 PM
#7
AudiWorld Super User
Join Date: Apr 2000
Posts: 13,257
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Pedal feel will be improved with SS line in front and will be even more beneficial
if you track the car and heat the fluid up. Rubber will expand more and pedal feel will suffer even more on the track. As for the rears, after a couple track events - i'm thinking any degredation in pedal feel is attributable to the rear lines expanding more so than the fronts - which at SS. I might rethink replacing the rears mainly due to increased track usage of the car. If I didn't track it - I wouldn't worry about the rears.
Trending Topics
05-01-2007, 05:03 PM
#10
Yes, the TyrolSport kit is only only for the fronts, and no, it's not hard to install.
It's extremely easy to install. The install is less than 10 minutes per side once you pop the wheels off.You'll need to buy some combination snap-ring pliers to fit the retaining snap rings.
Here's the kit pictured (the brass sleeves with caliper pins in the middle of the pic):
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/43649/more_mods_009.jpg">
Here's a pic of some combination snap-ring pliers:
<img src="http://www.chain-auto-tools.com/pics/PLN011B.jpg">
Here's the kit pictured (the brass sleeves with caliper pins in the middle of the pic):
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/43649/more_mods_009.jpg">
Here's a pic of some combination snap-ring pliers:
<img src="http://www.chain-auto-tools.com/pics/PLN011B.jpg">