Braided brake hoses - yes or no?

[Bren]

Looking at braided hoses for our fiesta as the brakes are very poor - I will spend on new pads and discs, the hoses were to firm up the pedal, but I am not sure that they actually improve things in this respect.

 

At least they wont degrade - but should I spend the £50 on something else?

[derskine]

I have a set on my polo and really think they're superb, pedal feels great.

Probably won't make your brakes much better though.

[Bren]

Purely to firm the pedal - the brakes pass an MOT but they are awful.

[Station]

They marginally improve pedal feel, but I had them and wasn't under any illusion they improved braking.

[New POD]

Changing the brake fluid helps, and old brake pipes are going to flex a bit more than new, but braided will have less flex, especially when the fluid is hot. Plus you'll need new fluid, which gets rid of all that nasty h2o that mixes with it.

 

One point, that I've seen in aerospace applications, braided hoses are like files, and if the rub (due to vibration) on softer metal or electric cable, then they are quite nasty. If you can, cover them in electrical heat shrink sleeving, before you fit them. (It won't look as good)

[derskine]

There is the matter of if they split or burst it'll be harder to tell they're leaking, but still, I think they're definitely worth the little extra.

[sierraman]

I've a Fiesta Mk4, the brakes are dreadful but you won't improve it with some braided flexis. Decent pads or some bigger front brakes will make a difference however.

[dollywobbler]

How old is the fluid? If it's more than a few years, bin it. You might want to bin the brake fluid too. Arf, arf.

[mat_the_cat]

I've put them on bikes, and a couple of cars. On the bikes I could tell a difference in lever feel, maybe because the hand is more sensitive than the foot, and also maybe because the majority of the hydraulic system is hose rather than pipe. On the two cars (Alfa 75 and LT35!) I couldn't detect a difference, but my mind felt happier knowing they were there

 

If you do get them, I'd go for coated rather than bare braiding, as I've read that road dirt can get between the braid and liner and chafe through eventually. No idea whether that's over a significant time period though.

[sheffcortinacentre]

a leak is a leak a braided hose won't make any difference.

[alf892]

waste of money......another variant of snake oil!

 

+not as easy to check condition

+you can't clamp them off when working on brakes

+often don't fit into chassis brackets neatly so look shit/barry

 

just get new flexis and make sure the rest of the system is as good as it can be

[Formula Autos]

New fluid. OE or better (e.g. Green Stuff) pads. OE or better discs, and any dodgy/old looking bits in the system replaced should be a vast improvement for road use. Braided hoses increase feel a bit in hard use, but on a Fiesta rather than a supercar or track day weapon, does that really matter?

[Rusty_Rocket]

 

+not as easy to check condition

+you can't clamp them off when working on brakes

+often don't fit into chassis brackets neatly so look shit/barry

 

just get new flexis and make sure the rest of the system is as good as it can be

 

Must admit, this is my experience of them too..

They will always feel better after you've fitted them because it's probably the first time in 10 years the car has had fresh fluid and a good bleed!

[Joshua_090]

I agree with other posters. Changing the brake fluid and checking for leaks in the cylinders/callipers is definately worth trying first as well as making sure the rear brakes are adjusted properly. Also are the brakes realy bad or do they just feel different to a more modern car. (which can be ultra sensitive)

[Des]

I think it would make more sense to spend on the items at the coal face, good linings and smooth disc / drum surface, the braided pipes will deliver a firmer pedal but is that a good thing? Removing the brake pedal rubber will eliminate a small amount of compliance as well but brakes shouldn't be like an on / off switch, rubber flexys give a 'better' feel, I think braded offer a similar real world improvement to a lurid shade of caliper paint.

[Station]

They do command a barry tax on top. It's just a braided shield over thinner brake pipe.

[fordperv]

I had to have them on my mk1 Sierra as I have big brembos on the front and regular flexis are too short, I will say though spend your money elsewhere.

[PiperCub]

As others have said re- new fluid, pads, ensure nothing's seized etc is the first step, then braided hoses will give you a nice firm pedal.

 

I've fitted Goodridge on my GTi, my 5 and on my Yamaha (been on that for 20 years),  IMO well worth the money and effort on something you are going to hang onto for at least a while.

 

Also, you can find that a set of Goodridge (others are available....) hoses can work out not that much more expensive than a set of standard spec rubber affairs.

[Bren]

To be honest the goodridge / HEL items are bloody dear - around £80 a set.

 

I have seen cheaper alternatives for £50 or so.

[brickwall]

The brake hose only has to start expanding 1mm and there is a hell of a difference. They degrade quite quickly after a length of time.

 

I'd just replace with normals - and feel the firmness.