Replacing the standard rubber brake hoses with stainless steel braided alternatives is one of the most straightforward and effective hydraulic upgrades available for the MGB. Original rubber hoses degrade internally over time in ways invisible from outside, the hose wall expands under braking pressure, absorbing pedal travel and reducing the hydraulic force reaching the calipers and wheel cylinders. This produces a soft or spongy pedal that bleeding will never cure, because the problem is not air in the system but compliance in the hose itself. A detached rubber lining inside the hose can also restrict fluid return, holding the rear shoes partially on, one of the leading causes of rear brakes locking before the fronts.
A complete car set of three stainless braided hoses with PTFE linings is available for the MGB and V8. A Classic braided hose set is also available. The rear stainless braided hose is available individually. A pair of front stainless braided hoses is available specifically for cars fitted with front telescopic shock absorber conversions, where the standard front hose length and routing are not suitable.
All three flexible hoses should always be replaced as a set, a collapsed rear hose causes partial rear brake application and bias problems that will not be resolved by renewing the front hoses alone.