Opinions about SS Break Lines

[jinwkim]

Hello,

I was wondering what other Titan owners who installed the SS Break lines think about the break feel?

Personally, I'm a bit disappointed.
The break feel is not much better if not worse in my opinion.
It grips quicker but it's a very low grip until you get further down on the break before a confident break. (Further than stock rubbers.)

The fact that I spent hundreds of dollars for not much better adds to the equation.

My installation sprung a leak in 1 day so I had to go get it re-tightened.

Plus, the front break lines rub the frame (not sure what the part is called.) when you crank the steering wheel all the way cuz it lacks the solid metal curve that the stock rubber breaks have.
(I have pictures.)

Plus, who knows what Nissan is going to say about the lines.
Maybe void the warrantee on all break related work?

Add to that the rumors that the breaks might be recalled.
These lines voiding the recall? ...

All in all, it's been a thumbs down and potentially a huge problem down the road for me. For not much better break feel.

In fairness I going to take it to another break shop to try to get it bleed again (remove any air if necessary.)

The fluid I currently have is DOT 4. I think DOT 5 is slightly compressible?
Is their much difference between DOT 3 and DOT 4?
I guess I could try going back to Nissan Heavy Duty DOT 3 as recommended by the owner's manual.

And my other throw around car is a Honda Prelude with very tight break feel.
So my opinion could be skewed.

Was wondering what other SS Line installers thought.


I guess can also try driving another stock Titan to get a better comparison.
(Anybody else reside in SW Houston?)

-Jin

[bestatchess]

Sounds like you got a lousy install. I bought a set of flare wrenches from sears and some of these: www.speedbleeders.com

I put the carbotech pads on the fronts also.

My impression is much less brake dust, much firmer pedal, and none of your enumerated problems.

My understanding is that the significant difference between Dot 3 & 4 is that Dot 4 has a higher boiling point. The Dot 4 is not your problem, the air in the system is your problem.

As far as voiding the brake warranty on other brake parts, I don't think so, see Magnusson Moss Warranty Act.

[Stitch]

I have a 6 line set from Mossy that's still sitting on my garage shelf along with new speedbleeders. I decided to wait until the brake fix is out and I'll change everything out (Carbotech Pads & Lines) after that.

I've had no brake problems but have only heard good about SS lines. Sounds like a poor install or incorrect line position/length. In any case SS lines should NOT make your pedal feel worse.

[samauri1]

i found stainless steel brakelines to be an excelant investment. 6 were ordered from Crown Performance and went in easily. well worth the price for stopping power. check if the clips are installed properly. I do have an '05

[Sammy Sandbag]

Originally Posted by jinwkim

I think DOT 5 is slightly compressible?

That would be physically impossible, check for air in your lines. The speedbleeders would be a good idea to ensure there isn't any air.

[jinwkim]

Just goes to show that you shouldn't belive everything you read on the internet. lol.

I got the silicone break fluid compressibility idea from here:
http://www.mg-sportcars.co.uk/Brake_..._Questions.htm

It MUST be air in the system.

Guess I'll try another break shop.

Thank you for the information about the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act.
That solves one of my worries.


I'm a bit timid about the speedbleeders.
Not sure how much the whole thing it's going to cost me in additions to all the costs I've forked over already.
Can't do it myself cuz I'm in transition move to Houston.
But that's my problem.

Maybe I'll get better luck with the next break shop.

-Jin

[Sammy Sandbag]

Originally Posted by jinwkim

Just goes to show that you shouldn't belive everything you read on the internet. lol.

I got the silicone break fluid compressibility idea from here:
http://www.mg-sportcars.co.uk/Brake_..._Questions.htm

It MUST be air in the system.

Guess I'll try another break shop.

I'm a bit timid about the speedbleeders.
Not sure how much the whole thing it's going to cost me in additions to all the costs I've forked over already.
Can't do it myself cuz I'm in transition move to Houston.
But that's my problem.

Well if the fluid boils, then the vapors would be compressible. The silicone itself isn't compressible, it would be if it were in some other form than liquid. I guess if it crystalized or something. (WAG)

And here's the actual link to the speed bleeder site: http://www.speedbleeder.com/

At $28 for all four calipers, I don't think it's too big of a strain on anyones wallet. And if you can change a tire you can install these.

Best of luck.

[SeanTitan]

I went with the Crown lines from Mossey. They were well worth the price of addmission.

Sammy - thank you for the line on the speed bleeder.

[jinwkim]

Well, this is just an update on my SS line endevour.

Got my Breaks re-bleed and oh my gosh!
What a difference!
It's a difference of night and day.

All I can say is if you installed SS Lines and it doesn't change it dramatically, it's probably not done right.

Funny thing is, the shop that did the work (3 trips) said their was no air in the lines.
But the difference is pretty clear.
So could they have done something else to tighten up the breaks?
I didn't think their was anything else you could adjust.

The whole endeavor was a hassle but it was worth it for me.
It still doesn't stop like my prelude but it stops better than my wife's camery.
And the breaks feel just as good.

I am very happy.
I'll probably install the speed bleeder later when I move into a house.
Too much of a hassle in the temporary apartment I'm currently in.

The symptoms I had before was very inconsistant break power and spongy feel until you reach a certain point.

-Jin

[bestatchess]

Cool, glad they finally got it worked out.

[caltitan]

Glad you got the problem straightened out. I have had the Crowne Performance SS brake lines since January. My pedal feel is still stouter than before the install. My front lines do not show any signs of rubbing against anything.