12-10-2012, 02:56 PM | #1 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Yakima, WA
Posts: 479
|
Brake fluid
Not wanting to hijack another thread; which the OP was having issues on brakes not releasing. I've had some problems with my brakes on the coupe; which is using Dot 3 brake fluid. Jim Brierley mentioned that he uses Silicone fluid in his.
I replaced both front brake wheel cylinders last year, because they were corroded. I suppose that they will be fine for a few years. Should I switch over to Silcone fluid? And if I were to switch, what would I have to do to the system? Completely go through the system and start over or do you just remove all of the old fluid and fill with silicone fluid? BTW, this is a 31 Coupe with 40 Ford brakes on all four wheels. |
12-10-2012, 03:32 PM | #2 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Mpls, MN
Posts: 27,582
|
Re: Brake fluid
I only use DOT 5 silicone brake fluid on any older cars that don't get driven much. I'd hone each wheel cylinder and master cylinder, blow out all the lines, then fill the system with silicone brake fluid.
|
Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) |
|
12-10-2012, 04:50 PM | #3 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Oregon
Posts: 5,947
|
Re: Brake fluid
Use a syringe or turkey baster and flush the lines with denatured alcohol and blow dry, it will remove moisture and contaminants.
|
12-10-2012, 05:21 PM | #4 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Glenmoore Pa
Posts: 1,644
|
Re: Brake fluid
Alot of hydraulic companies say not to use silicone in their systems. It tends to leak in a nonperfect situation. the other alternative could be to get stainless sleeves in the cylinders.
|
12-10-2012, 06:17 PM | #5 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Tx
Posts: 502
|
Re: Brake fluid
While not in any model A's but I have installed dot 5 in about a 1/2 dozen cars at least 2 of them have been done at least 6 years ago one I still have one I sold to a friend. Have not had any problems with the dot 5 however all vehicles I have done have been complete replacement of all brakes parts including lines hoses and cylinders. I have noticed that the dot 5 silicone is harder to bleed initially and have to make a few more passes on the bleeders to get a hard pedal. Another advantage is it does not eat paint.
|
12-10-2012, 08:08 PM | #6 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Kalamazoo
Posts: 1,656
|
Re: Brake fluid
Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)
I agree with others who urge you to be very diligent about scrupulously cleaning the old parts before switching to silicone. |
12-10-2012, 08:18 PM | #7 |
BANNED
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Bucks County, PA
Posts: 11,454
|
Re: Brake fluid
older vettes with the 4 piston calipers were always a problem till we used stainless pistons and dot 5. a pressure bleeder works good on flushing the system out.
we use it on all old iron that sits |
12-10-2012, 08:38 PM | #8 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Yakima, WA
Posts: 479
|
Re: Brake fluid
So what I'm hearing is to completely go through the brake system, replacing all the internal stuff in the wheel cylinder and master cylinder. While it is apart, flush all of the lines and reassemble.
My car was put together with a fruit jar master cylinder, so it would be a good to change that to duel cylinder as well. My pickup has the same setup on it, so I'll have to do both. It gets a little annoying dealing with corroded brakes. |
12-11-2012, 04:19 AM | #9 |
Senior Member
|
Re: Brake fluid
Silicone fluid can cause the rubber cups etc to swell. Rubber isn't compatable with silicone fluid thats why most companies that sell brake kits say not to use Dot 5 and using Dot 5 doesn't rule out getting water in the system, it just collects in the low spots.
|
12-11-2012, 08:09 AM | #10 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: NC
Posts: 2,975
|
Re: Brake fluid
I changed my 66 vette to dot 5 over 20 years ago. no more caliper problems.
|
12-11-2012, 11:40 AM | #11 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Temecula, CA
Posts: 4,066
|
Re: Brake fluid
While it is best to get all of the old fluid out of the system it is not critical. DOT 3 & 5 do not mix but they are compatible. I was working for LAPD in '82 and we converted all the new cars to DOT 5 before they went into service, we did not take any of the system apart, just power "bled" the system. Silicone fluid completely eliminated the need to change cylinders as they did at every 48,000 miles prior to that.
|
12-11-2012, 12:31 PM | #12 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Santee, California
Posts: 3,505
|
Re: Brake fluid
Quote:
|
|
12-11-2012, 01:34 PM | #13 |
BANNED
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Bucks County, PA
Posts: 11,454
|
Re: Brake fluid
|
12-12-2012, 11:19 AM | #14 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Temecula, CA
Posts: 4,066
|
Re: Brake fluid
Interesting side bar on fluids. When you mix DOT 3 and 5 in a jar, the purple dye settles out of the Dot 5 and you end up with purple sediment in the bottom, a layer of clear silicone fluid on top and DOT 3 on in the middle!
|
12-12-2012, 01:13 PM | #15 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Santee, California
Posts: 3,505
|
Re: Brake fluid
Yea Jim, I noticed that after using the DOT5 for flushing out the DOT3, you end up with almost a colorless DOT5. Just pour the DOT5 off and back into the jar for the next time.
|
Thread Tools | |
Display Modes | |
|
|
Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) |
|