Caliper change....

S

solekeeper

Member
For instance, I was upgrading to a BBK and the new caliper was 4 pot etc...
How hard is it to actually swap them out? And do you have to bleed lines and such?


Thanks all... I have done brake changes before, but never changed out calipers, just curious as to how it would be done... considering a BBK since I saw humbertocali's......:rolleyes:
 
Definitely would have to bleed the BBK since you are disconnecting the brake lines.
 
You don't have to change the lines but it's not a bad idea while you're in there.
 
What exactly does changing the lines do for you performance wise?
I was never really to fond of them when people say they change em... Unless I'm missing something?
 
Steel braided brakes lines are teflon tubed, teflon while pliable is resistant to expansion. Most oem lines will be rubber, which is pliable and not resistant to expansion. The steel braided outers are to support the inner construction.
 
So overall, for the most part the expansion can't hurt anything dramatically... It's just more of a cosmetic.

Thanks!
Any more info on the caliper change?
 
Expansion is what you would feel in the pedal. The pressure the rubber line may lose during expansion should be applied to the pistons to help you stop. :wink:

Not sure what you mean by caliper change. If it's a kit than it's a kit, should all bolt up like stock.
 
Not just cosmetic,

Less expansion when the lines heat up
Better pedal feel
Better stopping power
Better Exterior protection
 
Definately not just cosmetics.....


StopTech stainless steel brake lines improve pedal feel and reduce the amount of time between applied pedal pressure and actual deceleration by preventing expansion, which stock rubber flex lines allow. This provides a quicker pedal response, and allows the driver to maintain consistent brake pressure and precision brake modulation.
brake_lines.gif
StopTech brake lines consist of a Teflon® inner line that is covered with a layer of stainless steel woven braid. The Teflon tube is very resistant to expansion under pressure and will not degrade from exposure to brake fluid. The stainless steel braid provides support for the Teflon and the weave is extremely durable against incidental impact and abrasion. StopTech brake lines feature a Clear Abrasion Resistant Cover for maximum protection against chaffing
All StopTech Stainless Steel Brake Lines are DOT (United States Department of Transportation) compliant and 100% tested to a pressure of 4500 psi.
Click to expand...
 
solekeeper said:
So overall, for the most part the expansion can't hurt anything dramatically... It's just more of a cosmetic.

Thanks!
Any more info on the caliper change?
Click to expand...

rookie said:
Expansion is what you would feel in the pedal. The pressure the rubber line may lose during expansion should be applied to the pistons to help you stop. :wink:

Not sure what you mean by caliper change. If it's a kit than it's a kit, should all bolt up like stock.
Click to expand...

fxlr8 said:
Not just cosmetic,

Less expansion when the lines heat up
Better pedal feel
Better stopping power
Better Exterior protection
Click to expand...

Psiclne said:
Definately not just cosmetics.....
Click to expand...

Well Rookie and all others explained it very well but the steel braided lines are one of the best mods you can do on your brakes apart from a BBK. It takes out the mushyness of the pedal when the pedal grabs and gives you a more direct feel.

Definitely NOT just cosmetics. IMO, it's a MUST esp if you're paying $$$ for a BBK.
 
Chedman13 said:
just a warning for stainless steel brake lines, I'm not against them as I will be getting them, but info is always good:

"Here's the thing, though: Since stainless-steel lines don't bulge as they age, and since the inner Teflon lining is hidden behind the braid, there's no easy way to inspect the lines for warning signs of imminent failure."


http://www.nsxprime.com/wiki/Brake_Lines#Reasons_To_Avoid_SS_Braided_Lines
Click to expand...

I think that's an extreme case. I'd understand the failure risk of the rubber lines from all the debris they're exposed to but I don't see how teflon lines wrapped with steel braiding will fail in any time during the life of the car. The weakest point would be where it attaches at the ends but then you can easily see any failure at that point..

The poster over at the NSX forum actually tells about this as well (failure wasn't at the braiding):
it turns out that my aftermarket steel braided line purchased 3 years ago (can't remember the vendor name, I got the lines from Rod Millen Motorsports) separated at the caliper. The line goes into a screw on the caliper which has a hollow fitting for the hose to go over, and apparently I blew it off the fitting.

[the lines bursting] is the risk that you take with stainless lines. Otherwise, don't you think all manufacturers would have made them standard? Among the BMW and PCA club members I talk to, most shy away from stainless lines unless they are religous about changing the lines every year or two.
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He also hides behind the "the manufacturers would do it" BS. His problem was the hollow screw not holding onto the caliper. Blaming the extra pressure you'll get from the stainless lines for this is plain stupid. It was either the screw or the installation that would be faulty in this case.

Just to add, for somebody regularly tracking their car, this might be a case occuring more often than this one-in-a-500000-fault-blaming-the-line idiot.

This is pure stupidity as well:
The braking and rumored flex are not affected by the plastic brake lines.
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Flex (thus pressure loss) is NOT affected by the plastic lines??? Any mechanical/civil engineer (such as me) can tell you that flex KILLS pressure. YES, you have to have strong fittings at the end of the line but getting a proper install and quality parts (not your average ebay lines) would take care of this..

All things aside, there are NO occasions of failed Stoptech lines on the FX plus I don't think our cars, even with the BBKs can generate that much pressure to burst the line screw.. I think our booster is just too small (the reason why the pedal grabs only halfway) to generate any kind of extreme pressure.. That might not be the case with NSXs.
 
solekeeper said:
For instance, I was upgrading to a BBK and the new caliper was 4 pot etc...
How hard is it to actually swap them out? And do you have to bleed lines and such?


Thanks all... I have done brake changes before, but never changed out calipers, just curious as to how it would be done... considering a BBK since I saw humbertocali's......:rolleyes:
Click to expand...

It is not much difficult. You can find the procedure in the manual.
 
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