Folks,

I was wondering if any of you have replaced the original brake lines with steel braided teflon lines on your 997 and how difficult it is to do? I have to change the brake fluid and thought about changing the lines first.

Any recommendations for these lines? Suncoast and Pelican sell them (Pelican being half the price of Suncoast).

Thanks for your inputs.

Yves

 

Why? Porsche Cup cars use the standard rubber lines without problems. Why not spend your money on something else?

 

I changed them on my C2S, they were a big improvement for the track. On the street not needed IMO.

 

Your not off-roading, why would you even consider this?

 

The steel braided lines keep the rubber lines from expanding so all the brake fluid forces are sent to the caliper. The Teflon does not degrade into the brake fluid. They were a big help on my '73 because the rubber lines were soft & old. However from what I've told our rubber lines are reinforced with with nylon strings which keeps the rubber lines from expanding. 10 - 15 years from now they may need replacing.

 

You want to change the lines at the same time you change the fluid. It's a 3-4 out of 10. Not hard. Pump out the oil, change the lines and pour in the new fluid then bleed all 4 corners.

 

Plus make it easier w/ one of these:http://motiveproducts.3dcartstores.c...109_p_101.html

 

Stock lines are steel braided too. Solid steel racing lines may crack during street driving and leave you with no brakes.

 

Yves,

I changed mine when I flushed the system to change brake fluid type. It is pretty easy to do if done at the same time.

I did notice an improvement at the track and they do look better than the OE black ones.

The ones I have were from StopTech and were DOT approved, can't remember where I got them but they look very much like the ones at Pelican.

There quite a few good points above but you should also know that one drawbacks of these lines is that they may make line inspection harder as it is harder to pinpoint a leak.

Just a few last words to keep in mind, if you decide to do this:

1) When changing the lines, you WILL spill fluid, make sure you cover all painted areas BEFORE you open the system. I always tape some plastic around the areas and keep a bucket of water with a big sponge in it when working with brake fluid. Brake fluid will KILL body paint, period.

2) You really want to have a set of flare nut wrenches, these little brake line nuts and bleeders on the calipers get a little slippery when they have fluid on them and you risk stripping them or slipping and hitting something else if you use a regular wrench. I find these wrenches very useful on small fasteners now that I bought them.

Lastly, this DiY is for 996 but still quite relevant:
http://www.pelicanparts.com/techarti...eplacement.htm

Hope this helps,

T.

P.S.: +1 on the power bleeder. That is what I use (positive pressure method) and it makes bleeding brakes a breeze.

 

When I flush the brake system w/ the Power Bleeder I do not put the new brake fluid in the bleeder itself. I start by using a baster & remove the old fluid in the brake reservoir & then add fresh fluid to the reservoir. Then use the Power Bleeder to push the fresh fluid until the reservoir is low but not empty. Refill again & use he Power Bleeder again always being careful not to let the reservoir get to low so as to allow air to get into the system. The other plus in doing it this way is you don't have to worry about a leak in the Power Bleeder or it's lines or cap and spraying brake fluid out onto he car's paint and it's an easier clean up.

 

Folks,

Many thanks for your feedback and for the multiple advices and link to the 996 Pelican forum. I have replaced brake lines on my first BMW E30 M3 and loved the feel of the brakes afterwards. I am also aware of the destructive power of the brake fluid for paint surfaces, as I use brake fluid to remove the paint from brass train models when I repaint them.

I have ordered the parts/lines and will replace them when the time to flush the brake system comes around, which is very soon. It is true that the power bleeder helps a lot and makes it a one man job.

Again, many thanks to all the wonderful people that comprise this forum.

Yves