Brake fluid/braided lines etc- Educate me

[Austin-182]

Apreciate any help/advice anyone can give me here, when it comes to this, i dont know anything as it isnt something ive came across while owning the clio yet. I enjoy learning as i go along, oil change/discs/ coolant/ belts etc ive came across so clued up in those areas
At the moment i want to chnge the brake fluid as it isnt something ive had done yet and like to make sure i maintain all aspects of running the car and have the service history
My discs and pads are all fine, but the last mot had a mention of "coroded brake line" am i correct in thinking braided lines would be the equivalant of this but a slight upgrade over standard.or would a coroded brake line be refering to something different?
And also how easy ia a fluid change etc, can anyone recomend what to use. Cost is not an issue as i never try and save money and get cheap when it comes to maintaining the clio, its not as if it needs to be changed very week so works out at penny's when you average it over day's before it will next need changing
Cheers cs'ers!

 

[Tunst]

Corroded brake line could be the rubber hoses or it could be the steel/copper brake pipe.

 

[bmit]

if you're going to do your own fluid - read up on bleeding properly and get yourself a gunson ezibleed or similar - much easier did mine this weekend

 

[Austin-182]

Corroded brake line could be the rubber hoses or it could be the steel/copper brake pipe.

ah rite, il have to investigate further then, cheers! do you have any idea the costs involved with these items?

 

[Austin-182]

if you're going to do your own fluid - read up on bleeding properly and get yourself a gunson ezibleed or similar - much easier did mine this weekend

i think il be getting it done somewere so i can get the stamp in the service history, just like to know whats involved in doing the job anyway for future refernce lol. i have a mobile mechanic who we use for all the cars in our house and on my last service he went through step by step showing me how the oil is changed just so i knew how to do it if i ever wanted to do it myself lol

 

[Chris205]

As far as I'm aware normal brake lines expand with heat, so the pressure isnt kept at the same rate, giving you a softer brake pedal giving the effect of brake fade. Braided lines cope with heat a lot better so meaning the fluid pressure can stay right up without the loss of pedal feel.

Correct me if I'm wrong, that's just my brief understanding.

I've got a set of goodridge braided lines waiting to go on mine austin, so when they're done I'll tell you if its any better

 

[Austin-182]

As far as I'm aware normal brake lines expand with heat, so the pressure isnt kept at the same rate, giving you a softer brake pedal giving the effect of brake fade. Braided lines cope with heat a lot better so meaning the fluid pressure can stay right up without the loss of pedal feel.

Correct me if I'm wrong, that's just my brief understanding.

I've got a set of goodridge braided lines waiting to go on mine austin, so when they're done I'll tell you if its any better

nice one chris205! not to bothered about needing them upgraded just if there going to be changed it may be worth while, how much did you pay?

 

[Austin-182]

Can anyone recomend what the best brake fluid is to buy?

 

[Dan1587]

Ive just bought these, and they are cheap...!
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI....568771&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT#ht_500wt_1156

And the best fluid I wouldn't know but im going to be changing it soon, prob for this...
http://www.opieoils.co.uk/p-862-silkolene-pro-race-brake-fluid-racing-dot4.aspx

 

[-KarL-]

people recommend ATE super blue can get it from GSF

 

[Dan1587]

Ive heard of that one before too! Is it actually blue cause that would be cool

 

[-KarL-]

yeah im sure it is, makes it easier for bleeding aswell

 

[KEVRSI]

the advisory is a bit misleading but suggest it is one of the cooper brake pipes that are corroded and will need replace (best done by a pro) if its just a brake pipe you could change it your self its just 2 nuts and a clip but use plenty of wd40 before you start to loosen them and dont force it.
braided brake lines make for a better pedal feel because they dont flex like the factory ones , which are made of rubber.
changing the brake fluid is easy but you'll have to bleed the brakes afterwards watch some videos on youtube on how to do this.
choosing your brake fluid is down to your driving style for good all round performance i would go DOT 4.
i always use silkolene DOT 4 made by FUCHS.

 

[TimR26]

Corroded brake line probably refers to metal fixings, why didn't you ask the MOT tester to go through the advisories with you?

They can go a bit rusty so not something to worry about unless its really bad.

Braided lines aren't necessary if you don't track the car. I'd recommend Castrol Response Super Dot4 fluid.

 

[Pearce]

How much brake fluid is needed to bleed the whole system?