Braided Brake Line failure?

[Deefer666]

[quote author=Adam2201 link=topic=4547.msg220960#msg220960 date=1452167591]
[quote author=Deefer666 link=topic=4547.msg220950#msg220950 date=1452159541]
Standard rubber brake lines don't generally fail, it can happen but more likely is that they become soft and you lose braking performance. Pulsing through the lever although normally indicates a fucked disc can be the sidewalls of the rubber lines starting to give and although difficult to explain its a different sensation of pulsing that a warped disc would give.

I have had a set of braided lines let go on me, they where fitted by a previous owner of the bike that I owned at the time and must have been twisted to get them to fit, this caused the outer braiding to split and the inner pipe to pop out like a hernia and burst. This is why I now only use the braided lines and the ends swivel to stop the twisting of the lines under installation.

Hi Deefer, how different is the feel between deteriorated lines and warped discs?  I've been getting the chattering/pulsing lever since I recently changed my pads (to EBC).  It's usually most noticeable the more pressure I apply, and backing off the brake relieves it.  The pistons moved freely when I changed the pads it and all the bolts were torqued down properly.  I changed the brake fluid this week (looked like it was long overdue) but I'm still getting the same pulsing.  There doesn't seem to be too much play in the headstock bearings from what I can tell (did the same thing I do with pushbikes, trying to move the fork backwards and forwards with the wheel off the ground).


It's hard to describe the feel, but it feels almost like the pads are chattering out of the caliper.  I've read through a few posts on here stating that new lines made a difference, and I am planning to do put some HEL ones on at some stage using the forum discount, but how would easy is it to tell if the disc is warped without a dial gauge?  I gave them a good clean last night and the front wheel spins freely with no apparent binding.  I measured the thickness when I changed the pads and the disc itself was within spec, though I will check it again.  The lines themselves look to be original though I can't see any bulging or cracking at all.  I am planning to try cleaning the floating disc bobbins at some point as well.
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If you are planning to change the lines anyway then make that your first job, because it's a damn site cheaper than replacing discs unnecessarily!
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Its very difficult to describe... the brakes dont feel as sharp, you have more lever travel for effectively is less grip at the caliper end. Most people never realise how much their lines have degraded unless they ride another bike as the degradation is so gradual.

I personally never use or recommend Hel or Goodridge brake lines but that's personal preference.... I normally stick to Venhill or more recently I have started to use a German TUV brand called JM and I find these are superb although not readily available outside of the trade.

The pulsing that you feel on knackered lines is more of a grabbing at the disc rather than a pulsing from the lever, again its difficult to describe but once you have experience it you will recognise it. The other thing of course to check is that the pad retention pin is in good condition and has not got grooves worn in it. This means the pad cannot smoothly travel along the pin and will grip the pad at an angle instead of square on.... this too will give a pulsing feel.