When you're hurtling down a track at 200 km/h, the last thing you want is mushy brakes. But that's exactly what many racers contend with when using stock rubber brake lines.
The solution? Braided brake hoses.
I first encountered braided brake hoses years ago when tinkering with my own track day car. The difference was night and day - where before the brake pedal felt vague and spongy under hard use, with braided lines it became firm and precise.
Since then, I've seen braided lines become ubiquitous in racing, from amateur club events all the way up to Formula 1.
But why are braided brake lines so much better than rubber? And how exactly do they improve a race car's performance? Let's dive in.
Are steel braided brake hoses better than rubber?
To understand why braided hoses are superior, we need to look at what's wrong with conventional rubber brake lines. But it's important to note that rubber hoses aren't without their advantages.
Rubber hoses have been the standard in automotive design for decades. They're cheap, flexible, and do an adequate job for normal street driving in the UK. They're also easy to visually inspect for wear and tear, non-abrasive to surrounding components, and have a proven track record of reliability in various conditions.
Modern rubber lines also often have an internal nylon weave to prevent expansion, making them much more rigid than people realise. In fact, many cars with rubber brake lines still have a very firm pedal feel.
Regardless of all that, they still have a critical flaw: under high pressure, they expand.
When you slam on the brakes in a race car, hydraulic pressure in the hoses spikes dramatically. A rubber hose will balloon outwards slightly under this pressure (not visible but it happens). This expansion happens because rubber is inherently elastic, and under high pressure, it stretches. This results in a longer pedal travel before you get the desired braking force, potentially resulting in that spongy, imprecise feel some drivers report.
For daily driving, this isn't a huge problem. But in racing, where fractions of a second matter, it's unacceptable.
Enter the braided hose
A braided brake hose solves this problem through a clever bit of engineering. It consists of three layers:
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An inner PTFE (Teflon) tube that contains the brake fluid
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A woven stainless steel braid surrounding the PTFE tube
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An outer PVC jacket (often clear) for protection
At the core of a braided brake hose is a layer of PTFE (Polytetrafluoroethylene), a type of Teflon. PTFE is chosen for its excellent resistance to high temperatures, chemical corrosion, and its non-elastic nature. This means that under pressure, PTFE doesn't stretch a lot like rubber does. It holds its shape and transmits the brake fluid pressure directly to the brake calipers.
The key to the whole construction is that middle layer of stainless steel braid. Under pressure, it prevents the inner PTFE tube from expanding outwards. The result is a brake line that maintains consistent volume even under extreme pressure.
This translates directly into better braking performance. With braided lines, most of the force you put on the pedal goes into stopping the car. There's no sponginess, no wasted energy. Just pure, linear braking power.
The stainless steel construction has other benefits too. It's far more durable than rubber, resisting cuts, abrasion, pressure, and heat. And for these reasons, many manufacturers offer lifetime guarantees on their braided lines.
Real-world performance gains
So braided lines sound good in theory, but what about in practice? Just how much do they improve a car's braking?
The exact numbers will vary depending on the specific car and brake setup. But in general, you can expect:
Firmer, more consistent pedal feel
One of the most noticeable benefits of braided brake lines is the improved pedal feel. In rubber hoses, expansion under pressure can create a spongy sensation in the brake pedal, reducing responsiveness. This slight delay can make a world of difference when you are racing.
Braided lines eliminate this issue by maintaining their shape under high pressure. The result is a firmer, more responsive pedal that reacts instantly to your input. By providing a firm and consistent brake pedal feel, they allow you to brake later and harder, giving you the confidence to push your car to its limits.
Consider the racing technique of threshold braking - applying maximum braking force without locking up the wheels. This skill is essential for late braking, a strategy that allows you to carry more speed into a corner, potentially overtaking competitors or shaving precious milliseconds off your lap time.
With rubber lines, threshold braking is a bit of a guessing game. The spongy pedal feel makes it hard to judge exactly how much pressure you're applying. You might lock up unexpectedly, or not brake hard enough. Braided lines give you much finer control. You can feel exactly where the threshold is and modulate your braking precisely. This allows you to consistently brake later and harder than you could with rubber lines.
However, the ultimate effectiveness of threshold braking and late braking techniques still largely depends on the driver's skill and experience.
Durability under heat
Racing puts an enormous strain on brake systems, generating extreme heat. In this intense environment, traditional rubber hoses can soften and expand, leading to hose-related brake fade, in which the braking efficiency diminishes, compromising safety and performance.
Braided stainless-steel hoses excel in these conditions. The inner Teflon or rubber core is shielded by stainless steel braiding that resists high temperatures. Unlike standard rubber, the materials used in braided hoses do not degrade or lose structural integrity under heat.
This heat resistance ensures consistent braking force throughout the race, allowing you to maintain reliable performance lap after lap without worrying about diminished responsiveness when it matters most.
Enhanced longevity
Braided brake hoses offer superior durability compared to traditional rubber hoses. The stainless-steel braiding provides a tough exterior that stands up to the harsh conditions of racing—grime, abrasion, chemicals like brake fluid and oil, heat, and constant movement. Rubber hoses can degrade quickly under these conditions, leading to cracks, leaks, and ultimately, brake failure.
The robust construction of braided lines means they resist wear and tear much better. This resilience translates into fewer replacements over the lifespan of your vehicle's braking system. You spend less time in the garage swapping out worn-out parts and more time on the track pushing your limits.
Even wear
Besides general wear and tear, braided brake hoses contribute significantly to even wear across your braking system. The stainless-steel braiding ensures consistent hydraulic pressure, translating into uniform force distribution on the brake pads and rotors. When every component of the brake system receives the same amount of pressure, it prevents uneven wear.
Aesthetics and customisation
While performance is the primary concern for most racers, aesthetics also play a role. After all, a well-built race car is a source of pride, and every detail matters. Braided brake lines contribute to this visual appeal, giving your brake system a high-tech appearance.
The stainless steel braid, often visible through a clear protective coating, adds a touch of sophistication to your vehicle's undercarriage. It's a subtle detail that might go unnoticed by casual observers, but it's sure to be appreciated by fellow enthusiasts who understand the thought and care that goes into every aspect of a performance vehicle.
For those looking to take the aesthetics a step further, Proline Braided Lines offers brake hoses with a PVC cover available in various colors that allow you to customise the appearance of your brake lines to match your car's overall look.
If you do upgrade: Considerations and potential drawbacks
While braided brake hoses offer significant benefits, it's important to consider the full picture:
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Potential for hidden damage: The steel braiding can hide internal wear or damage, making it harder to detect issues until a failure occurs, which could be dangerous.
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Debris intrusion: While braided lines are tougher, fine debris like sand or dirt can penetrate and cause wear over time if not properly maintained or if the PVC coating gets damaged.
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System synergy: Upgrading to braided hoses alone may not result in a massive performance boost. For the best results, consider them as part of a comprehensive brake system upgrade, including high-performance pads, rotors, and fluid.
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Make sure to buy lines specifically made for your car model. Brake line routing and fitting types vary between vehicles.
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Installation isn't overly complex, but it does involve working with your brake system. If you're not comfortable with this, it's best to have a professional do the job.
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In some cases, braided hoses may affect your MOT. Check the current regulations.
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While rare, some drivers find braided lines to be too sensitive for comfortable street use. It's worth test-driving a car with them before committing.
And finally :
Quality Matters
Not all braided brake hoses are created equal. The performance benefits we've discussed only apply if you're using high-quality lines from a reputable manufacturer. Cheap, poorly made braided lines can actually be worse than stock rubber hoses. They might leak, fail under pressure, or not provide the expected performance gains.
When shopping for braided lines, look for manufacturers who:
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Use high-grade stainless steel for the braided layer
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Employ proper swaging techniques to attach the fittings
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Use PTFE inner tubing, not cheaper alternatives
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Offer a warranty or guarantee on their products
At Proline Braided Lines, we're proud to meet all these criteria. Based in Morden, Surrey, we make all our kits in-house using components from industry-leading manufacturers like HEL Performance. This allows us to maintain strict quality control and offer custom solutions for unique applications.
Proline's brake hose kits use hard-drawn tensile stainless steel braided hose with stainless steel fittings, rather than the zinc-plated fittings some competitors use. This makes them highly resistant to corrosion, a crucial factor for longevity in the often wet and salty UK driving conditions.
Our lines are rated for temperatures from -70°C to 260°C and can withstand pressures up to 290 bar (4206 PSI), with a bursting pressure of 870 bar (12618 PSI). This is far beyond what you'd ever see in even the most extreme racing conditions, providing a large safety margin.
In addition to our standard offerings, Proline also provides custom solutions tailored to your specific needs. Whether you need a custom length, a specific fitting, or a complete ABS delete kit, Proline has the expertise and flexibility to deliver exactly what you need.
The cost of braided brake hoses in the UK
In the UK, braided brake hoses cost more than traditional rubber ones. A set of quality braided hoses typically ranges from £50 to £150, depending on the make and model of your vehicle. In contrast, standard rubber brake hoses usually fall between £20 and £50 per set.
While this might seem like a significant price difference, the benefits often justify the extra cost. Considering their longer lifespan and reliability under extreme conditions, investing in braided brake hoses can save you money by reducing maintenance needs and improving safety. So yes, the added expense is worth it for those serious about their vehicle's maximum performance.
Why braided brake hoses are a must-have for racers
Braided brake hoses are one of those rare modifications that offer clear, measurable performance benefits with very few downsides. For racing applications, they're practically essential. Even for street cars, they're a worthwhile upgrade for anyone who values precise control and improved safety.
The key benefits are:
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Improved pedal feel and consistency
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Better brake modulation, especially during threshold braking
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Increased durability and longevity compared to rubber hoses
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Potential for improved brake pad life
While the performance gains might seem small on paper, they can make a significant difference in real-world driving, especially in high-pressure situations like racing or emergency maneuvers. For racing, precise braking allows drivers to enter corners at higher speeds and reduce time lost during deceleration. Efficient brakes also enable smoother transitions between high-speed straights and tight turns, shaving valuable seconds off each lap.
But it is not just about speed—safety is a major factor too. Inconsistent or failing brakes can lead to dangerous situations on the track. So, it would be right to say that having reliable braking systems ensures you maintain control under extreme conditions, protecting both you and other racers.
Just remember to choose a reputable manufacturer and ensure you're getting hoses specifically designed for your vehicle.
FAQs
Q1. Are braided brake hoses suitable for everyday driving?
Absolutely. While they are ideal for racing due to their performance benefits, braided brake hoses can also improve everyday vehicles' braking response and durability.
Q2. Do braided brake hoses require special tools for installation?
Yes, proper hose installation typically requires specific tools like a flare nut wrench and a bleeder kit to ensure secure fittings and remove air from the lines.
Q3.How long do steel braided hoses last?
Steel braided brake hoses are designed for longevity. Many manufacturers offer lifetime warranties on their products, which speaks volumes about their durability. In practice, a high-quality set of braided brake line kits can last anywhere from 10 to 15 years, or even the lifetime of the vehicle if properly maintained. This is significantly longer than the typical 5-7 year replacement interval recommended for rubber hoses.
