alextimmons

Anyone put stainless steel brake lines on their A8?

I know they claim to provide a stiffer pedal feel, but I'm curious whether or not this translates into an appreciable difference for the driver.

ECS tuning offers some which also feature a vinyl coating to protect from road salt/grime (important up here in Alberta!).

Any input is appreciated!

ryoung

You won't notice any difference in normal driving, or if there's even one bubble of air in any of your brake lines. Still ... I've had SS lines front and rear of my S8 for 7 years.

alextimmons

Thanks for the input

Kneale Brownson

Not all stainless lines are the same, so you need to be sure what you're buying. The coating probably helps keep dirt from getting into the braiding, causing wear and potential puncture of the inner tube. Some of the SS lines out there have swedged on ends that have been known to be the weakest point in the line, resulting in very rapid failure if they pop off.

I think you're better off with rubber lines because you can see what's happening to them as they age. Any bulge from within or checking of the exterior indicate the need for service. My personal approach after having a couple lines fail at inconvenient times is to replace the rubber lines at timing belt time.

alextimmons

When you say "swedged on" ends? I don't have a clue what this means to be quite frank.

Here's a link to the lines I had my eye on; are these swedged?<ul><li><a href="http://www.ecstuning.com/stage/edpd/pagebuild_v2.cgi?make=Audi&amp;engine=4.2&amp;mode l=D2%20A8&amp;submodel=Quattro&amp;category=Brakin g&amp;subcategory=Lines">ECS SS Lines</a></li></ul>

TSHong

under hard braking. I had to return the front set I ordered from ECS because they were too short.

alextimmons

I see. Hopefully the lines from ECS fit *most* A8's.

Kneale Brownson

Misspelled: swaged. <a href="http://s4wiki.com/wiki/Stainless_steel_brake_lines">Here's</a> a review of SS lines on street cars.