Is it necessary to replace the brake steel hose?

[VonElias]

It is necessary to replace the brake steel hose. Here is an introduction to the brake steel hose: Introduction: Although the inner part of the brake steel hose is still made of rubber material, its outer part is wrapped with a metal braided mesh, hence the name brake steel hose. Features: The brake steel hose is constructed with a rubber tube covered by high-strength steel wire, and an additional anti-wear layer on the outermost part, providing stronger resistance to expansion. Generally, the original rubber hose may expand slightly when the brake is pressed, weakening the initial brake response. Replacing it with a steel hose can improve these phenomena. After installation, it is essential to turn the steering wheel to both extreme positions to ensure it does not scrape or interfere with other components, guaranteeing that the brake responds accurately to the amount of pressure applied.

[VonRuby]

As a frequent city commuter, I don't think upgrading to steel braided brake lines is necessary for daily driving. The factory rubber brake hoses are perfectly adequate for grocery-getter cars and can last for years without issues. However, if you enjoy road trips, frequently drive on mountain roads or highways with heavy braking, steel lines show their advantage. Rubber hoses expand during repeated braking, giving a spongy pedal feel like stepping on cotton, while steel lines with stainless steel mesh layers provide direct force transmission and exceptional stability during emergency stops. Just be cautious about the installer's craftsmanship when upgrading – poorly fitted connectors may cause oil leaks. Always opt for reputable brand products for peace of mind.

[MacEvelyn]

As an enthusiast with over a decade of modification experience, I can confidently tell you: steel-braided brake lines are a must for track driving! The factory rubber hoses expand during aggressive driving, becoming mushy after just three or four hard-braking corners, significantly affecting lap times and braking point control. Steel-braided lines can reduce brake pedal travel by about 30%, giving you that crisp, performance-car-like pedal feel. However, for daily commuting it's a different story – if you're stuck in traffic lights every day, it really doesn't matter whether you upgrade or not. Two additional tips: when upgrading to steel-braided lines, it's best to simultaneously upgrade your brake fluid to DOT4 or higher; and remember to check the lines' cold-weather performance in winter, as inferior products are prone to cracking in low temperatures.

[MacTimothy]

In our auto repair shop, we've handled numerous cases involving older vehicles, and whether to replace the brake hoses with steel braided lines depends largely on the car's age. For vehicles under five years old, the rubber hoses are still in excellent condition—there's absolutely no need to replace them, as it would just be a waste of money. However, for cars older than seven or eight years, the rubber hoses begin to harden and crack, making even speed bumps a potential hazard. At this point, upgrading to steel braided lines is truly worthwhile. They last more than twice as long as OEM parts and prevent complete brake failure due to fluid leaks. That said, I've seen cases where people opted for cheap, no-name steel hoses online, only for the metal layer to wear through prematurely. This isn't an area to cut corners—always go for reputable brands with PTFE coating. After all, your family's safety is on the line!