Suspension movement and steering make it necessary that a portion of the steel brake pipes, that run from the brake master cylinder located near the firewall on the driver's side to each wheel, be made flexible to avoid breakage. Over time and with continuous use, it's said that these OEM rubber lines can undergo volumetric expansion causing the lines to swell and expand leading to brake fade. The result of brake fade is a loss of efficiency since any force utilized to expand the flexible brake lines is subtracted from the force available to act on the caliper pistons, and in the case of drum brakes, wheel cylinder pistons. Additionally, over time rubber is said to deteriorate due to exposure to ozone and is subject to damage or failure from road debris.
To forestall these possible/potential problems, stainless steel (SS) brake lines are available to replace the OEM product. These lines have an inner teflon core with an outer stainless steel braided wire covering. The construction makes them much more rigid than the rubber types and eliminates (or at least minimizes) the problem of volumetric expansion while still providing the necessary flexibility. Quite apart from the purported advantages of a more rigid line, the OEM parts in my car are now ~ 9 years old and replacing them seems to be a wise preventive measure. I selected the Techna-Fit brake lines because they have a PVC covering over the stainless steel braid thus providing extra protection from abrasion and road debris. Zinc-plated steel fittings are permanently crimped on each end. Although I ordered the clear PVC covering, other colors are available.
Techna-fit states that all their brake lines are DOT certified which means that they meet or exceed the specifications outlined in FMVSS-106 (Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards - brake lines).
Two sets of brake lines are available for the 1999-2003 Proteges: one for models with 4-wheel disc brakes and one for models with rear drums. Since I have a DX with rear drum brakes, I ordered p/n: MA-1280. This set includes 2-banjo fitting mounting bolts and 4-sealing washers for the front brake lines. For models with 4-wheel disc brakes order set p/n: MA-1285.
I purchased my brake lines from Horsepower Freaks, Inc. for US $95 + $10.38 S & H for a total of US $105.38. Shipping was prompt and trouble free.
SS brake lines are also available from Goodridge (lacks the external PVC covering), and CorkSport (manufacturer unspecified).
In the next post I'll cover the installation of the lines.
Happy Motoring!
Photo 1: Front (top) and rear SS brake lines also showing the package containing the banjo fitting mounting bolts and sealing washers.
Photo 2: Close-up view of the end fittings.
To forestall these possible/potential problems, stainless steel (SS) brake lines are available to replace the OEM product. These lines have an inner teflon core with an outer stainless steel braided wire covering. The construction makes them much more rigid than the rubber types and eliminates (or at least minimizes) the problem of volumetric expansion while still providing the necessary flexibility. Quite apart from the purported advantages of a more rigid line, the OEM parts in my car are now ~ 9 years old and replacing them seems to be a wise preventive measure. I selected the Techna-Fit brake lines because they have a PVC covering over the stainless steel braid thus providing extra protection from abrasion and road debris. Zinc-plated steel fittings are permanently crimped on each end. Although I ordered the clear PVC covering, other colors are available.
Techna-fit states that all their brake lines are DOT certified which means that they meet or exceed the specifications outlined in FMVSS-106 (Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards - brake lines).
Two sets of brake lines are available for the 1999-2003 Proteges: one for models with 4-wheel disc brakes and one for models with rear drums. Since I have a DX with rear drum brakes, I ordered p/n: MA-1280. This set includes 2-banjo fitting mounting bolts and 4-sealing washers for the front brake lines. For models with 4-wheel disc brakes order set p/n: MA-1285.
I purchased my brake lines from Horsepower Freaks, Inc. for US $95 + $10.38 S & H for a total of US $105.38. Shipping was prompt and trouble free.
SS brake lines are also available from Goodridge (lacks the external PVC covering), and CorkSport (manufacturer unspecified).
In the next post I'll cover the installation of the lines.
Happy Motoring!
Photo 1: Front (top) and rear SS brake lines also showing the package containing the banjo fitting mounting bolts and sealing washers.
Photo 2: Close-up view of the end fittings.
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