How to Install Stainless Steel Brake Lines
Braided steel brake lines are a popular performance upgrade on cars and trucks. Normal rubber brake lines expand slightly when the brakes are applied, which can lead to spongy, less-than-firm brake pedal feel. Stainless steel braided brake lines eliminate this issue with their metal construction, which prevents the brake line from expanding when brake fluid is suddenly pumped through it. The result is a firmer brake pedal and more immediate reactions when the brakes are applied.
Other People Are Reading
Things You'll Need
- Floor jack
- Jack stands
- Socket set and ratchet
- Line wrench for brake lines
- Brake cleaner
- Rags
- Torque wrench
Instructions
-
-
1
Use a lug wrench or a socket and ratchet to loosen the lug bolts that fasten the wheels to the car. Lift the vehicle with a floor jack and then lower it onto jack stands at all four corners. Finish removing the wheels and set them out of the way.
-
2
Clean the brakes with brake cleaner and a clean rag. Spray the cleaner onto the caliper and rotor, paying particular attention to the where the brake lines are bolted on. Wipe everything down with the rag so no oil and dirt are present.
-
-
3
Spray penetrating lubricant onto the old brake lines where they bolt to the vehicle. Let the fluid soak in. This may not be necessary if the vehicle is newer, but on older vehicles the brake line hardware may be frozen on.
-
4
Use a line wrench to loosen the fittings that bolt the rubber brake line at either end to the car. A line wrench is a special open-ended wrench that goes further around the nut and will help prevent it from stripping. It should be relatively straightforward to locate where both ends of the soft brake line install, but it may help to have a workshop manual for your vehicle. One end will fasten to the hard line that goes to the master cylinder and the other end will go into the caliper or into a short hard line that goes to the caliper. Once you have loosened the nut that holds the line in place, you should be able to loosen the fitting located on the end of the hard line that installs onto the brake line. The fitting is turned with a wrench to unthread it from the brake line.
-
5
Drain any excess brake fluid that spills out of the brake line into a suitable container. Spray brake cleaner onto the fittings where the brake lines install and wipe everything down thoroughly with a clean rag before installing the new braided steel brake lines. Install the braided lines in the same manner as the rubber lines. Tighten the fittings that hold the soft brake lines to the hard lines. Make sure that there are no kinks or bends in the new brake lines and that the lines do not interfere with any suspension components or bodywork. Tighten the brake lines with a torque wrench according to the directions that came with the lines.
-
6
Bleed the brakes so that there is no air in the brake lines according to the manufacturer's procedure, which will vary depending on the make and model of car. Reinstall the wheels and lower the car back to the ground. Test drive the vehicle gently to make sure that there are no problems with the brake system.
-
1
