An example of a braided brake line.
What’s another brake upgrade that won’t break the bank?
Steel-braided brake lines, which are more commonly known as braided brake lines.
Sometimes, this brake upgrade is also referred to as “steel-braided brake hoses”.
Before getting into this, first we need to answer what brake lines do.
In a braking system…
(We’ll try to do this without getting bogged down with technical details.)
Brake lines transfer hydraulic pressure (via brake fluid) from the master cylinder to the individual cylinders at each wheel.
When the brake fluid arrives, the pressure exerted causes the brake calliper to clamp onto the brake discs.
The friction from the brake pad rubbing against the disc slows the car down.
Why do hoses need braiding then?
As a brake upgrade, braided brake lines do not expand as much as the stock rubber hoses.
Over time, the stock rubber lines become pliant and begin to expand.
This is due to heat and stress.
When hoses expand, the pressure from the brake master cylinder is lessened.
This in turn reduces braking power.
Braided hoses cannot expand!
Enthusiasts love this brake upgrade because the steel braiding covering the braided lines prevent them from expanding.
At the same time, the braided brake hose has an inner line (which carried the brake fluid) made from Teflon.
Unlike rubber, Tefllon is resistant to corrosion, too.
So, the braking pressure remains even?
Yes, that’s the idea behind the steel-braided hose brake upgrade.
Since the lines cannot expand, the braking pressure remains even.
You get improved stopping power and shorter braking distances.
Can I do without the nicer brake pads, better suspension components, and high-performance tyres?
In theory, you could.
However, once you’ve decided to upgrade your brakes, you might as well go the whole way.
Braided brake lines are a small addition.
Especially after you’ve already purchased larger wheels, better suspension components, a big brake kit and high-performance tyres.
Not having braided brake lines seems sacrilegious!
