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YOUR RESEARCHStainless Steel Brake Lines - Preferences?
Leading reported evidence
Install spiegler lines, partly
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I installed the Spiegler lines, partly because one of my original lines was a little messed up and I wanted to replace anyway.
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Suggestion
Just my opinion, if it were me I would deal with the most important issue first, get the brakes and pads done, if you have a soft pedal the issue is not likely caused by your brake lines, this could be brake master cylinder issues or caliper issues etc, check for leaks, check your fluid level, When was the last time you flushed the brake system?
Leading evidence: 'Install spiegler lines, partly' (no explicit attributable resolution; this is a reported action or suggestion). Across 1 matching discussions, The most frequently discussed action is 'Check fluid level' (1 discussions). For that action, 0 discussions report a resolution and 0 report an unsuccessful attempt. No action has an explicit, attributable resolution report under the current rules. These are forum reports and suggestions, not a confirmed diagnosis.
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Performed · outcome unconfirmed · Original poster
Doesn't really matter when the brake fluid was changed before because there's no doubt that it needs to be changed now.
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Performed · outcome unconfirmed · Original poster
Doesn't really matter when the brake fluid was changed before because there's no doubt that it needs to be changed now.
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Performed · outcome unconfirmed · Original poster
The pads/rotors are worn and need to be replaced too but that will be the next step.
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Check fluid level
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Suggestion
Just my opinion, if it were me I would deal with the most important issue first, get the brakes and pads done, if you have a soft pedal the issue is not likely caused by your brake lines, this could be brake master cylinder issues or caliper issues etc, check for leaks, check your fluid level, When was the last time you flushed the brake system?
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Suggestion
Just my opinion, if it were me I would deal with the most important issue first, get the brakes and pads done, if you have a soft pedal the issue is not likely caused by your brake lines, this could be brake master cylinder issues or caliper issues etc, check for leaks, check your fluid level, When was the last time you flushed the brake system?
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Suggestion · Original poster
I was going to bring my 2000 C4 Cab into my Indy shop today to have the brake fluid flushed because the brake pedal is feeling all too soft but cancelled the appt when I realized that I should replace the brake lines as well.
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Suggestion · Original poster
After trolling the Net for some stainless steel lines to replace the OEM rubber ones that are on the car, I came across various brands/models that vary widely in price.
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I was going to bring my 2000 C4 Cab into my Indy shop today to have the brake fluid flushed because the brake pedal is feeling all too soft but cancelled the appt when I realized that I should replace the brake lines as well.
Estimated cost of parts/labor/fluid about $600. The pads/rotors are worn and need to be replaced too but that will be the next step. Planning on installing Brembo rotors and Akebono pads. Estimated cost of parts/labor about $1200 which I don't want to spend yet.
After trolling the Net for some stainless steel lines to replace the OEM rubber ones that are on the car, I came across various brands/models that vary widely in price. The following are among the brands/models that I've seen. All have a protective coating or cover and (supposedly) meet DOT standards.
Did a search on the topic and didn't find much info about it posted on this forum. So, I'm just wondering what other people's preferences for installing stainless steel brake lines on their 996's are/have been and would appreciate an explanation of the reason for the preference(s) if any.
Among those I've seen on line so far are StopTech ($99); Troutman ($112) and Goodridge G-Stop ($165) and Goodridge Phantom ($227); prices are for 4. Have ruled out the Troutmans because it is not clear that they meet DOT standards (no yellow DOT bands on the ones pictured) and also because they seem to be less widely distributed than the StopTechs or Goodridges. On the other hand, the Phantoms just seem too expensive (not clear what you get for the extra cost) when compared w/the other brands/models . That just leaves the StopTechs and G-Stops based on my brief/limited search.
I'm leaning towards the StopTechs which cost $66 less than the G-Stops and are pressure tested to 4500 psi vs 3000 psi for G-Stops BUT they only have a 90 day vs lifetime warranty. Any warranty issues should become apparent in less than 90 days, so I don't think that's a critical issue.
Any concurring/opposing opinions OR other suggestions?
Just my opinion, if it were me I would deal with the most important issue first, get the brakes and pads done, if you have a soft pedal the issue is not likely caused by your brake lines, this could be brake master cylinder issues or caliper issues etc, check for leaks, check your fluid level, When was the last time you flushed the brake system? Get your braking system up to speed first or do the lines at the same time as the rest of the system but don't work backwards on something as important as brakes.
I bought the car about 7 months ago and none of the service records that I received from the car indicate when any brake work was every done. Doesn't really matter when the brake fluid was changed before because there's no doubt that it needs to be changed now.
Thanks for your "opinion" but, I disagree. I've owned a lot of cars/trucks (over 50 in my over 50 years of driving). Flushing/bleeding the brakes fluid is the 1st thing I'd do to try to fix the problem BUT since the brake lines are old/rubber, I figured I'd just replace them w/stainless steel lines too.
Frankly, if I were going to do it the "right" way, which is normally the way I do things, I'd do the pads/rotors at the same time BUT, as noted, I don't want to spend the roughly $1800 for redoing the entire brake system right now.
The main reason is that when I get started spending money on my cars, I tend to go overboard and I wouldn't just stop at the brakes but then would also do the wheels/tires that the car needs as well and instead of just $1.8k spent, I'd be up to about $4.8k instead. And then there's the spin on oil filter adapter and the UAOS fix that'll cost me about another $1k (in parts/labor) that are also on the list. This is on top of the $3k that I already spent on the car to resolve various "minor" issues that needed fixing after I bought the car, which would then bring my total cost up to around $8k in money spent on the car. I trust you get my point.
The brake lines & flush will only cost about $600; can be done separately from the pads/rotors; and should fix "most" if not all of the brake "feel" problem w/o doing anything to the pads/rotors themselves. If this doesn't fix the problem, I can move on from there but it is the easiest and cheapest possible fix for the problem that should IMO be addressed 1st.
So, back to the point of the thread, any specific suggestions on what brand/model of stainless steel brake lines to install in my 2000 C4 Cab that you (or others) have would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!
I bought Troutman, but haven't installed them.
I wouldn't worry about the non-DOT lines.
No one will ever check them, and there's lots of non-DOT "approved" parts on many of our cars.
(clear marker lights, LED tail lamps, etc)
I got StopTech ones from Jason at Warehouse 33. He recommended them, and said although they sell other brands, these are what he and most of his guys run. Quality appeared good. Installation was simple (but messy).
I bought Techna fit from theses guys.
https://fdmotorsports.net/shop?olsPa...e-lines&page=2
really pleased as they are very similar in desing with the OEM
Spiegler makes the nicest DOT compliant SS lines on the market today, and they are extremely popular with the GT3 crowd. Their Porsche-specific fittings are all stainless steel from Switzerland, and the lines are built and assembled in Ohio, USA. The have thicker braid, a nice sheath to resist abrasion, and the fittings also swivel so you can clock the line into a stress free position during install. They are on the high end of the price range, but when you lay them next to any of the others you instantly know why. As for $200 on brake lines, that's less than a good set of track pads, and they last far longer.
Here is the product on our site:
https://www.essexparts.com/spiegler-...front-and-rear
Here is more info on Spiegler Lines:
https://www.essexparts.com/brake-lines
Your lines are also a critical piece of the brake system, and not a place to go with cheap. Not that the OP would do this, but we see people buying $14 line sets of off eBay, and are perpetually shocked by that. Who designed and manufactured those!?! The fittings on some of them are like butter and will round off instantly. One has no idea what other materials and methods were employed.
I installed StopTech SS lines. DOT approved, have worked fine, no issues. Install was simple. Did them at same time as pads and rotors and a fluid flush since it could all be done together "while I was in there".
Braided lines can wear the rubber line out and you will not know until it fails. This is the reason why you only want to use DOT approved braided brake lines. Your non DOT lights will not cause a safety concern like this.
Didn't say they were.
Just want to change them and hope they help. They can't be any worse than the rubber lines (probably original) that are still it the car and it doesn't matter if they don't help (which is unlikely) because I just think s/s brake lines look cool.
LOL!
Thanks for the suggestions, guys.
Looked at the Spieglers but, of course, my 911 is NOT on the list of vehicles that those lines supposedly fit. Sent Essex an email asking if my 2000 C4 Cab is covered; no response yet. Should be but my 911 is noticeably absent from the list.
However, I think I'm just going to go w/the StopTechs.
I don't race and at $100 for the set with DOT compliance, clear PVC coating (so that you can see the braided s/s) and pressure tested up to 4500 psi, I don't think I need anything more.
Update
:
Just bought the StopTech lines from AutoAnything for only $85 plus $7 shipping - $92 total. They're among the cheapest things that I've had to buy for my 996 so far. Only the $40 for 2 new radio ***** and the 4 jack pads cost less. LOL!
I can confirm that the Spiegler lines will fit your car. Sorry your specific year/make/model wasn't listed on our site as fitting. The Porsche fitments are insanely complex ever since Porsche started selling 26 variants of the 911!
I installed the Spiegler lines, partly because one of my original lines was a little messed up and I wanted to replace anyway. I was looking for a firmer pedal feel out of the upgrade. I don't think it really made any difference in the pedal feel. Possibly more down to what pad is being used or something else, other than the original brake lines.
The $92 (shipping included) I paid for the StopTechs is not much (if at all) higher than stock rubber lines would cost and, as I said above, I think that the s/s lines just look "cooler."
From what ive read, none of these lines are dot "approved." they may meet dot standards or have passed a facsimile of dot testing but they arent approved per se.
So all these vendors, including the one in this thread are using similar words to "approved" as a clever marketing tool by making the buyer think they are?
As noted above, DOT does not actually "approve" any brake lines. Manufacturers state in their product description whether their lines "meet DOT (and other) standards." Stop Tech claims that their lines meet both DOT & EU standards.
They also come w/a "yellow DOT" band that's attached to the brake lines which some manufacturers are using to "prove" that they meet DOT standards but I do not believe that DOT endorses or requires such a band to be attached to any brake line. It's only what some makers are doing to establish their claim at the brake lines meet DOT standards. Whether that's the case of not no one really knows unless they have been independently tested. I don't know whether such data is available or not, so you just have to "trust" that the manufacturer is telling the truth.
FWIW, here's what Stop Tech claims about its brake lines:
"Every StopTech brake line is 100% tested in-house to a pressure of 4,500 PSI. This is almost 4 times the typical line pressure exerted by a production vehicle's master cylinder. StopTech is a registered brake line manufacturer with the United States DOT and all StopTech Stainless Steel Brake Lines are manufactured to meet DOT Compliance Standards. StopTech Stainless Steel lines also meet or exceed FMVSS 106 and applicable international and EU standards."
I've already purchased a set of 4, so I'm already "all in" and just have to trust what they say is true and the same applies to any other brake lines that you may buy.
