Help on SS brake lines needed.

[artfuldriver]

I have an 08 MS3, black mica. Santa brought me a set of Hawk HSP pads.

I have read mixed reviews and criticisms on SS brake lines. Mainly how the DOT approved are really s*** and will need constant inspections and replacement every year or so. I have also read that crimped ends are also crap and will fail eventually.

This is my daily driver and I also do a few track events a year and hope to have time to AutoX this summer so braking is important to me.

Any advice, comments or reviews of brands is appreciated.

Thanks

 

[H3br3w_Ham3r]

People seem to like the Goodrigde ones. I will probably go that direction too.

 

[BigDaddyMS3]

SS Brake lines

I run Goodridge stainless steel brake lines on my 07 MS3. The part number is25048 and use Motul high temp brake fluid. I run a couple HPDE events a year at Mazda Laguna Seca and Thunderhill and the pedal feel is firm and consistent. I still run the original pads but use Hawk HP+ on my Roush Mustang, so I will probably replace with Hawk pads when they wear out.(cabpatch)

 

[artfuldriver]

Thanks for the info. Why did you choose the Goodridge over some of the others?

 

[H3br3w_Ham3r]

Thanks for the info. Why did you choose the Goodridge over some of the others?

Better known brand is my guess. I don't trust small companies often.

 

[dcomiskey]

I've used the Goodridges for more than 2 years and no issues. Annoying issue is that I still have to pump once to get super firm pedal. But I haven't really investigated why. It's not the lines, though. There's either air in the line/caliper or the MS3 brakes are just quirky.

 

[LovinMyMS3]

Please post links that show SS lines need to be replaced every year.

 

[dcomiskey]

Please post links that show SS lines need to be replaced every year.

????

That's absurd.

 

[LovinMyMS3]

????

That's absurd.

It was to the OP, evidently he knows something nobody else does.

 

[artfuldriver]

I read this on an Acura NSX site.

http://www.nsxprime.com/wiki/Brake_Lines

 

[chubbs]

both my se-r's have had goodridge lines with zero problems. first one had em 3 years then i sold it no problem. second car came with them but i have had 0 problems at almost 2 years. i put racing brake lines on my speed 3 at least 8 months ago and have had zero problems. dont know what to tell you but honestly one of the best brake mods you can do. pedal stays firm like it should. i love it.

 

[chubbs]

and i just read that post and one thing came to mind. if you had a leak wouldnt you see it in the fluid reservoir... meaning it would be low from the loss. so unless you had a catastrophic failiure right then, which can happen to rubber or ss, a leak would be evident. you would see fluid on the floor where you park (HINT CHECK THE FLOOR OFTEN YOU CAN CATCH ALOT OF THINGS THIS WAY)and the fluid would be low. geez simply checking your fluids everytime you get gas like your suppose to would tell you unless it was a instant thing. like i said never had or heard of anyone having a problem unless a install was muffed.

 

[LovinMyMS3]

I'd like to see stats on how often there are any problems. The author of the article seems to be stating a lot of opinion as fact.

 

[hanzo040107]

I was thinking about getting SS brake lines too, probably Corksport cause they have a protective heat shrink like coating. Figure they might be a lil better at protecting from the elements. I wanted to know about how much brake fluid would you need to do a brake line change? I was thinking of upgrading to a better type of brake fluid & wanted to drain all the old OEM fluid out. Like artfuldriver, my MS3 is my daily driver & I do some SCCA events too.

 

[wreckerboy]

First post here, but one I have a lot of knowledge of -

I have two cars currently equipped with the Goodridge lines and had a third a while back. The current cars are my 1.6L SSM racecar and the street Miata, and the previous car was my ITA RX7 (based on a 1980 tub). The SSM Miata racecar has at least five seasons on the current set with no problems at all, and the street Miata has about 10,000 miles on the set installed. The RX-7 had two short seasons on them. All lines have required no additional maintenance, and were bought through Mazdaspeed.

To be honest, I noticed no difference in brake performance or pedal firmness on any of the cars. The Miatas have always had rock hard pedals, the RX-7 not so much. I installed the first set because I thought it was de riguer for race cars, the second set because they were dirt cheap, and the third because they were laying around the garage and getting in the way.

I'll install a set on the '07 MS3 that we are getting in a few days only if they fall into my lap for pennies. Otherwise they aren't worth it to me. Spend your money on optimizing what you've got - good pads for the application, fresh fluid, decent ducting if fade is an issue.