Stainless steel Brake Lines

[ronaldtrotter]

I am getting ready to rebuild my calipers on my 911SC, so while I am at it I want to replace the rubber flex lines (don't have any idea when they were last replaced if ever). I have read different reports on whether there is a diffence in stainless or rubber in regards to brake feel. Can anyone help me here. Do you get a better brake feel with stainless steel covered lines.

[Ted Myrus]

Just some thoughts and expierience with brake hose.

If you don't know how old they are replace them, they're cheap.

Stainless are hoses wrapped in a stainless mesh. They look pretty. The stainless should provide an element of protection from abrasion (especially if you off road, upside down, like I tend to).

I didn't notice any improvement in feel. Not a firmer pedal.

One down side is that you can not visually inspect the condition of the hose when its wrapped.

[Tim Comeau]

Couple things...
If you replace the old stock rubber hoses with new stock rubber hoses, I bet you'll be fine. The hose itself would have to expand in order for you to feel a difference in the brake pedal?
Most of the Stainless Steel (SS) hoses are not D.O.T. approved either. DOT approved brake hoses are subjected to severe whip testing, both in terms of movement and repetition of that movement. I've never had any trouble with any SS brake lines but now that I know better, I'll just install the less expensive stock lines on my 944 spec race cars.