DIY: Challenge Stainless Steel Brake Lines

MightyBobo · 11-05-2012, 10:54 AM

The OEM brake fluid will work fine for normal street driving.

Furthermore, Stainless Steel lines wont make a difference for normal street driving. Hell I'd be hard pressed to say I felt a difference on the track. Save your money and put it elsewhere, IMO.

markthomas69 · 11-05-2012, 11:46 AM

Duly noted about the SS brake lines. I was just wondering about a power bleeder as I will be without any help doing the bleed or paying someplace to do it for me.

MightyBobo · 11-05-2012, 02:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by markthomas69

Duly noted about the SS brake lines. I was just wondering about a power bleeder as I will be without any help doing the bleed or paying someplace to do it for me.

Yeah, power bleeders are definitely nice, for sure.

You dont have a wife/girlfriend to pump a brake pedal for ya? Just think about her caressing that pedal with her feet...mmmmm...

...but I digress... lol

markthomas69 · 11-05-2012, 03:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MightyBobo

Yeah, power bleeders are definitely nice, for sure.

You dont have a wife/girlfriend to pump a brake pedal for ya? Just think about her caressing that pedal with her feet...mmmmm...

...but I digress... lol

I got one of those, she is either busy doing real estate or getting her nails done. I would have better luck/results getting a bleeder

MightyBobo · 11-05-2012, 03:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by markthomas69

I got one of those, she is either busy doing real estate or getting her nails done. I would have better luck/results getting a bleeder

Tell her to do her nails while pumping brake pedals

Haha, just kidding. Power bleeders are way faster anyway, go with that.

EastBayZ · 11-15-2012, 07:34 PM

if i was changing to the silicone fluid, what would be the process to bleed the lines? what benefit would this fluid give me any way?

MightyBobo · 11-15-2012, 10:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EastBayZ

if i was changing to the silicone fluid, what would be the process to bleed the lines? what benefit would this fluid give me any way?

Plenty of DIYs for bleeding, I'd search but I'm on my phone.

Benefit is a higher boiling point, for decreased chance of brake fade.

Sent from my Galaxy S3

ChrisSlicks · 11-16-2012, 07:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EastBayZ

if i was changing to the silicone fluid, what would be the process to bleed the lines? what benefit would this fluid give me any way?

Our cars are not designed for silicon brake fluid, that would likely be a very bad idea. It is more compressible, doesn't absorb moisture, doesn't seal as well and doesn't have the correct viscosity to work with the ABS system.

Use high temp DOT 4 or DOT 5.1, but never DOT 5.

MightyBobo · 11-16-2012, 09:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChrisSlicks

Our cars are not designed for silicon brake fluid, that would likely be a very bad idea. It is more compressible, doesn't absorb moisture, doesn't seal as well and doesn't have the correct viscosity to work with the ABS system.

Use high temp DOT 4 or DOT 5.1, but never DOT 5.

Lol, good catch. I probably should have read the whole message last night, huh...

Most people use Motul RBF600, or AP Racing's fluid. Rumor is, Super Blue isnt good enough.

omg35s · 04-05-2013, 12:31 AM

Nice Write-up... Thanks

I'm upgraded to Akebono and I'm considering doing the install but I might have someone else do it since I'm inexperienced with brake bleeding and don't want to spend 24 hours trying to do everything.. lol

MightyBobo · 04-05-2013, 09:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by omg35s

Nice Write-up... Thanks

I'm upgraded to Akebono and I'm considering doing the install but I might have someone else do it since I'm inexperienced with brake bleeding and don't want to spend 24 hours trying to do everything.. lol

Brake bleeding isnt nearly as bad as you think. If you know anyone who's done it at all, it should be simple.

The HARDEST part is getting the calipers swapped out.

Vichtz · 04-06-2013, 11:32 PM

So which model power bleeder do we use exactly? 1 man = DIY

Unless company is there for conversation, which is how I usually go about working on my car.

omg35s · 06-02-2013, 10:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MightyBobo

The OEM brake fluid will work fine for normal street driving.

Furthermore, Stainless Steel lines wont make a difference for normal street driving. Hell I'd be hard pressed to say I felt a difference on the track. Save your money and put it elsewhere, IMO.

I'm about to install Akebono BBK on my car and I've been trying to decide to whether or not to get SS Lines.

+1 I did extensive research on SS Lines and it seems as if they aren't really worth it unless you're strictly tracking you car and keeping an eye on those lines.

Even though my brake lines are about 6 years old I think they will outlast any SS lines. Car is mostly a DD with occasional track/canyon runs.

bobburk · 07-23-2013, 12:55 AM

I did this upgrade on my 2013 Nismo last weekend and be warned that the setup on the back brakes is different for the sport brakes. The line has a clip and each end with no block. Make sure you have the right lines before starting.

Once the job was complete I couldn't really tell any difference on the street but I took it on the track this weekend at Motor Sport Ranch in Cresson Tx and I could tell that the pedal had a firmer feel to it.

40 to 332 · 08-02-2013, 05:03 PM

Just a quick note to let people know that Nissan decided to change the brake line set-up for the Sport Brakes in late 2012. If you own a late 2012 Z or a 2013, the set-up will differ from that shown in the DIY. Also, note that the set-up evidently differs between the 2013's sold in Canada versus the U.S.A. You need to ensure that you order the correct set of SS lines. I learned this after receiving a set of replacement lines from Z Speed Performance that clearly were not right. However, Joe from Z Speed quickly recognized the problem and is now taking steps to obtain the correct lines and to ship them to me. (Kudos to Joe for the great service!). Anyway, just a heads-up for those of you who own late model Z's and are interested in switching to SS lines.

11-05-2012, 10:54 AM	#46 (permalink)
MightyBobo A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Las Vegas, NV Posts: 8,465 Drives: No cars; only bikes Rep Power: 52	The OEM brake fluid will work fine for normal street driving. Furthermore, Stainless Steel lines wont make a difference for normal street driving. Hell I'd be hard pressed to say I felt a difference on the track. Save your money and put it elsewhere, IMO. Mike likes this. __________________ I don't own a car anymore.

11-05-2012, 11:46 AM	#47 (permalink)
markthomas69 Base Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Little Elm, TX Posts: 66 Drives: 2010 370Z Red, auto Rep Power: 13	Duly noted about the SS brake lines. I was just wondering about a power bleeder as I will be without any help doing the bleed or paying someplace to do it for me. __________________ Beluga catback exhaust and Y-Pipe. Sport brakes upgrade. 24 row oil cooler. Battery relocated to the trunk.

04-06-2013, 11:32 PM	#57 (permalink)
Vichtz Track Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: Unknown Posts: 538 Drives: PG 09 Nissan 370z Rep Power: 14	So which model power bleeder do we use exactly? 1 man = DIY Unless company is there for conversation, which is how I usually go about working on my car. __________________ очень быстро ... Stillen Gen 3 CAI// Stillen CBE// B&M SS with PWJDM Shift Knob// Custom OCC// Drilled/Slotted Rotors//Halo/painted Headlights// Under-hood dress up

07-23-2013, 12:55 AM	#59 (permalink)
bobburk Base Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Lowry Crossing, Tx Age: 59 Posts: 151 Drives: 13' Black 370Z Nismo Rep Power: 12	Nismo SS brake lines I did this upgrade on my 2013 Nismo last weekend and be warned that the setup on the back brakes is different for the sport brakes. The line has a clip and each end with no block. Make sure you have the right lines before starting. Once the job was complete I couldn't really tell any difference on the street but I took it on the track this weekend at Motor Sport Ranch in Cresson Tx and I could tell that the pedal had a firmer feel to it. jlw2546 likes this. __________________ Money can't buy you happiness but it can buy you a race car and that is the next best thing.

08-02-2013, 05:03 PM	#60 (permalink)
40 to 332 Enthusiast Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Kimberley, BC, CANADA Posts: 447 Drives: 13 370Z BS M6 Sport Rep Power: 439	Just a quick note to let people know that Nissan decided to change the brake line set-up for the Sport Brakes in late 2012. If you own a late 2012 Z or a 2013, the set-up will differ from that shown in the DIY. Also, note that the set-up evidently differs between the 2013's sold in Canada versus the U.S.A. You need to ensure that you order the correct set of SS lines. I learned this after receiving a set of replacement lines from Z Speed Performance that clearly were not right. However, Joe from Z Speed quickly recognized the problem and is now taking steps to obtain the correct lines and to ship them to me. (Kudos to Joe for the great service!). Anyway, just a heads-up for those of you who own late model Z's and are interested in switching to SS lines. GaleForce likes this.

11-15-2012, 07:34 PM	#51 (permalink)
EastBayZ Base Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Newark, California Posts: 54 Drives: 011 370Z Tour Spt MT Rep Power: 13	if i was changing to the silicone fluid, what would be the process to bleed the lines? what benefit would this fluid give me any way?

04-05-2013, 12:31 AM	#55 (permalink)
omg35s Base Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: New York Posts: 63 Drives: XXX Rep Power: 15	Nice Write-up... Thanks I'm upgraded to Akebono and I'm considering doing the install but I might have someone else do it since I'm inexperienced with brake bleeding and don't want to spend 24 hours trying to do everything.. lol

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