I bought them as well as a braided clutch line(what do you guys think about those?), but have yet to install them. Was waiting for 1.8 brakes, but since one of my current lines developed a leak im going to have to put them on asap.

Ill post up my opinions on them once i do install them.

 

FWIW: i have seen a TON of goodrich SS lines blow.

 

Loved them in my Mk1 VWs.

 

I couldn't tell. But I swapped to slotted rotors and hawk pads at the same time, so every thing feels and sounds different. I better not vote.

 

I notice a difference big just putting in new brake fluid and I moved up to the bigger 1.8 brakes. I could not go for the cost of the braided lines

 

I've got the Advanced Autosports lines and they are very nice, and not too expensive. Probably overkill for a street-only car, but my factory original rubber lines were not looking up to snuff for HPDEs so out they went.

I had ATE fluid in the stock lines and ATE in the SS lines, so I can say that the lines themselves do contribute a bit to pedal feel. It's not as noticeable for normal street driving, but you'll feel a difference in modulation under hard braking. Stainless lines or not, my pedal always has been soft for the first ~1/3 of travel with OE pads that don't have much bite. That doesn't happen with Carbotechs.

One thing to be careful with is that you get the lines "clocked" in the right direction on the caliper end when you install them. The way they flex/bend is different than the rubber lines and if you get the line's curve oriented wrong, it can rub on your tire or wheel when turning. I wore a bit of the plastic sheathing from my passenger front line that way and was fortunate that I noticed it before it became a serious problem. Although I haven't seen any blown SS lines in person, I suspect that this could be a significant cause. Don't just slap on your shiny new brake lines and head to the track without verifying fit & clearance.

 

How old were the lines and more importantly how hard were you using the brakes on the Focus?

For daily driving, the OEM lines are fine. Even if you push things a little. However, if you are performing sustained hard driving or racing, it's well worth the added insurance.

- L

 

+1

 

If the brake lines are old and need replacing.. why not upgrade? That is why I also bought a braided clutch line at the same time.

 

Absolutely, man. This is very important. I just put my new lines on Thursday and had a line with the wrong angle that would have been an issue.
Another critical point is to make sure the bolts going into the caliper are very tight. I've done two sets of SS lines on miatas and I had the bolt in the left rear caliper loosen on the test drive. I adjusted the line on my car and tightened the bolt down and everything was fine.

 

just ordered a set, just to complement my brake overhaul/upgrade after failing (read fading) on a trackday

 

I have always used them on my bikes. It never seemed like a bad idea to upgrade the brakes before you out run them.

 

I should note that some kit's fittings don't fit right on rear sport brakes. I had to grind on a caliper for clearance.