Brake Lines

Why Upgrade Your Brake Lines?

Looking to improve your car's performance? Then you should consider improving its braking capabilities as well. Besides, extra horsepower requires extra stopping power. High-performance brake parts such as four-piston calipers and carbon-ceramic rotors are the widely used options today, however, upgrading your brake lines can improve braking power too.

Performance Brake Lines

It's highly likely that your car features a hydraulic brake system that supplies the power needed to bring your car to a stop. The moment you press the brake, your hydraulic system will apply pressure on the brake fluid and direct it through the brake lines. This forces the calipers to squeeze the pads on the rotors, bring the vehicle to a stop.

Hydraulic pressure will pass through different components of your car's brake system, such as the brake lines. Brake lines are generally made of reinforced rubber. Once pressurized brake fluid enters the lines, they will start to expand. The result is a decrease in fluid pressure which inevitably leads to decreased braking power and a soft brake pedal.

The solution to this problem is to use lines that will remain rigid amidst hydraulic pressure. You might be wondering why you can't just use hard steel lines. Because of how much movement is in your suspension and steering system, flexible lines are mandatory. Stainless-steel brake lines are popular upgrades that you can use to replace factory rubber brake lines.

Upgrading to Stainless Steel Braided Brake Lines

Some folks believe achieving optimal braking efficiency is all about upgrading parts such as pads. However, brake lines are the foundation of all braking systems in vehicles. They are also quite a low cost in contrast to other components in the system. For this reason, upgrading your brake lines is a no-brainer if you want to enjoy improved braking capability.

Stainless steel braided brake lines offer better braking feel and response compared to their factory counterparts. Rubber factory brake lines enlarge once the pressure is directed through the brake pedal. This causes the pedal to feel "soft" or "mushy" resulting in a poorly responsive brake system.

How do you determine if you brake lines are bad?

Your brake lines will last your vehicle life. When you find some fluid leakage, it could be a sign of poor brake lines. But debris or rough driving may cause cracks or holes in the lines. The best way to search for a leak in the brake line is to keep a flashlight under your vehicle. You might have a leak if you find drips on the inside of your spokes, rust spots along the sides, or any streaks of wet or dry fluids.

What to do if brake lines are leaking?

Don't risk your family's safety. If your brake lines are cracked, broken, frayed, brittle or corroded, call Vivid Racing at 1-480-966-3040. One of our professional technicians will take a look and determine whether your brake lines are the problem. If the brake lines are damaged, our skilled mechanics will remove the old line, put a new brake line in place and refill new brake fluid to the system.

There are three situations where brake line replacement is needed.

Breakage ??? A complete break in the brake lines is a dangerous position that demands urgent attention. Brakes may fail altogether since there's no force to stop the vehicle in the line.

Replacement for Maintenance ??? A qualified technician checks the brake lines during an inspection of the entire brake system. If there are any signs of corrosion damage, the repair shop must remove the brake lines to prevent any further failures.

Collapse ??? Brake line nozzles can collapse due to old age, or due to a line effect. Collapses in the rubber line are not as easy to diagnose as metal lines; therefore, if you find your vehicle pulls when you brake, see an auto repair specialist at Vivid Racing immediately.