SS braided brake lines on GL?
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 20
Likes: 1
From: Aptos, CA
2008 GL450, 2006 Subie Turbo Wagon, 1986 Lotus Esprit, 1961 190SL
SS braided brake lines on GL?
The GL brakes seem to perform well, but the mushy pedal feel takes some getting used to especially when switching among cars. Stainless steel braided lines can help a bit, but after searching the forum I didn't find the answer on this braking system.
Has anyone upgraded to ss lines on their GL and noticed any difference in pedal feel?
Thanks, this forum has been super helpful with researching and now owning a used GL. Love it so far (when I can wrestle it away from the better half).
Peter
Has anyone upgraded to ss lines on their GL and noticed any difference in pedal feel?
Thanks, this forum has been super helpful with researching and now owning a used GL. Love it so far (when I can wrestle it away from the better half).
Peter
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 20
Likes: 1
From: Aptos, CA
2008 GL450, 2006 Subie Turbo Wagon, 1986 Lotus Esprit, 1961 190SL
Really, not one of the mushy pedal haters out there has done this routine mod on a GL? Is it because you didn't it would make any difference with this braking system?
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Aug 2010
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From: Charlotte NC area
2019 WS222 S450 4-Matic / 2007 W211 E350 4Matic (Sold) / 2008 X164 GL320 CDI
I have put SS lines on a few cars, and if they have a firm peddle, the SS lines take out that last little bit of mush.
I think the softness in the GL is somewhere other than the lines. (They simply can't be stretching that much).
Would you notice the difference? Maybe.
Would it be significant? Probably not.
Would you then have to work about the sudden failure of an SS line vs. the slow failure typical of standard lines? Definitely.
I think the softness in the GL is somewhere other than the lines. (They simply can't be stretching that much).
Would you notice the difference? Maybe.
Would it be significant? Probably not.
Would you then have to work about the sudden failure of an SS line vs. the slow failure typical of standard lines? Definitely.
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Aug 2010
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From: Charlotte NC area
2019 WS222 S450 4-Matic / 2007 W211 E350 4Matic (Sold) / 2008 X164 GL320 CDI
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 251
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GL550
I think the pedal feel is mushy, too. I've been wondering what improvements could be made and have been thinking about upgrading rotors and pads. If SS lines are available, I'll volunteer to give them a try.
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Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2012
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GL550
I know, I'm reviving an old thread but I'm ready to try SS brake lines too. Anyone every find any? I've been searching online for several minutes and can't locate a thing.
I've upgrade the pads/rotors and it made a noticeable improvement, but still looking for more.
I've upgrade the pads/rotors and it made a noticeable improvement, but still looking for more.
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Member
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 177
Likes: 45
From: Florida
X166 GL550
The GL brakes seem to perform well, but the mushy pedal feel takes some getting used to especially when switching among cars. Stainless steel braided lines can help a bit, but after searching the forum I didn't find the answer on this braking system.
Has anyone upgraded to ss lines on their GL and noticed any difference in pedal feel?
Thanks, this forum has been super helpful with researching and now owning a used GL. Love it so far (when I can wrestle it away from the better half).
Peter
Has anyone upgraded to ss lines on their GL and noticed any difference in pedal feel?
Thanks, this forum has been super helpful with researching and now owning a used GL. Love it so far (when I can wrestle it away from the better half).
Peter
https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/mer...hnafit-mer1620
They fit without any issue. I installed the kit and the pedal feel more firm, definitely less mushy.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 6,191
Likes: 242
From: Albuquerque
'10 CL550, '12 GL550
2007 was first year for GL and all the road tests back then noted the mushy brake pedal feel. Like the ell in Blues Brothers, it will eventually be something you stop noticing.
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 648
Likes: 144
From: Yeast Coast, Canada
GL550 X164
Having run SS lines with 4 piston monoblock calipers on another car's front only, rears were left with stock lines and calipers, there was a huge difference in the brake pedal feel and travel before the brakes would bite. The travel was practically eliminated.
I'm wondering it is with the GL? Where are the brakes starting to bite and how much more brake pedal travel to lock brakes/engage ABS?
I'm wondering it is with the GL? Where are the brakes starting to bite and how much more brake pedal travel to lock brakes/engage ABS?
Senior Member
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 437
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From: Espoo, Finland
2012 GL 350
My personal opinion is that the 'mushy' feel on the GL is quite similar to every other Mercedes that I have ever driven. I've always considered it a feature rather than a problem. I'm not convinced that SS lines will fix it, but it certainly won't hurt anything and will be a good excuse to bleed the lines.
Last edited by sak335; Aug 20, 2020 at 09:12 AM. Reason: spelling
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 12,516
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From: Charlotte NC area
2019 WS222 S450 4-Matic / 2007 W211 E350 4Matic (Sold) / 2008 X164 GL320 CDI
My personal opinion is that the 'mushy' feel on the GL is quite similar to every other Mercedes that I have ever driven. I've always considered it a feature rather than a problem. I'm not convinced that SS lines will fix it, but it certainly won't hurt anything and will be a good excuse to bleed the lines.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2010
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From: Emmett, ID, USA
2007 GL450
I put stainless lines on a street/race car. Dropped a caliper once; it kinked the line. Didn't think much of it. A long time later, the line failed at the point it had been kinked.
I was lucky there was room to steer around the car I would have rear-ended. Also lucky the line didn't fail when I was doing hard braking into a hillside corner. If it had, I would have enjoyed free fall for the last moments of my life.
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 12,516
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From: Charlotte NC area
2019 WS222 S450 4-Matic / 2007 W211 E350 4Matic (Sold) / 2008 X164 GL320 CDI
This.
I put stainless lines on a street/race car. Dropped a caliper once; it kinked the line. Didn't think much of it. A long time later, the line failed at the point it had been kinked.
I was lucky there was room to steer around the car I would have rear-ended. Also lucky the line didn't fail when I was doing hard braking into a hillside corner. If it had, I would have enjoyed free fall for the last moments of my life.
I put stainless lines on a street/race car. Dropped a caliper once; it kinked the line. Didn't think much of it. A long time later, the line failed at the point it had been kinked.
I was lucky there was room to steer around the car I would have rear-ended. Also lucky the line didn't fail when I was doing hard braking into a hillside corner. If it had, I would have enjoyed free fall for the last moments of my life.
I am guessing that he new line and connectors might be more forgiving, but it was the concern back in the day.
Member
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 177
Likes: 45
From: Florida
X166 GL550
A lot of brake makers like Brembo, Powerstop, Wilwood, Goodridge, offer stainless steel braided lines as the upgrade to replace old rubber hoses. Old rubber hoses can soften and swell over time, leading to a spongy or soft brake pedal. Stainless steel hose strongly resists expansion under high pressure and temperature. Might not be the holy grail to fix the mushy brake pedal feel but for the price I think it worth the change. One disadvantage is that if you kink or twist the line you will have to replace it.
