silicone brake fluid
#342226
06/09/09 02:56 PM
06/09/09 02:56 PM
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Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 644 Minnesota
Barnstorm
OP
mopar
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OP
mopar
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 644
Minnesota
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Have been using silicone brake fluid in my 4 corner Wilwoods for 10 years with no apparent issues. Called Wilwood to order some seals and was advised not to use it. Back in the day it was thought to eliminate moisture issues and rust. Any experiences?
The little old lady from Pasadena is back!
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Re: silicone brake fluid
[Re: Barnstorm]
#342227
06/09/09 03:01 PM
06/09/09 03:01 PM
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Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 9,225 Charleston
sixpackgut
Drag Week Mod Champion
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Drag Week Mod Champion
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 9,225
Charleston
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me and Quicktree got that same lecture at the PRI show. i cant remember as to why its no good to use
Gen 3 power 6.22@110, 9.85@135 Follow @g3hemiswap on instagram
performance only racing, CRT, ultimate converter, superior design concepts, ThumperCarbs
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Re: silicone brake fluid
[Re: Barnstorm]
#342228
06/09/09 03:31 PM
06/09/09 03:31 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 7,490 Minnesota
Hemi_Joel
master
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master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 7,490
Minnesota
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I have been using it forever with no issues. My 442 has had it since 1982 and never had a problem. I've had in in Wilwoods for at least 6 years with no problems. But you better quit using it, just ask Chicken Little.
[img]http://i.imgur.com/boeexFms.jpg[/img]31 Plymouth Coupe, 392 Hemi, T56 magnum RS23J71 RS27J77 RP23J71 RO23J71 WM21J8A I don't regret the things I've done. I only regret the things I didn't do. "Wise men talk because they have something to say; fools because they have to say something. ~ Plato"
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Re: silicone brake fluid
[Re: sixpackgut]
#342229
06/09/09 03:56 PM
06/09/09 03:56 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 32,394
Quicktree
I Win
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I Win
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 32,394
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Quote:
me and Quicktree got that same lecture at the PRI show. i cant remember as to why its no good to use
they said it draws moisture into the system.
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Re: silicone brake fluid
[Re: Barnstorm]
#342234
06/10/09 08:51 AM
06/10/09 08:51 AM
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 176 Sterling Heights, MI
John_T_Brown
member
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member
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 176
Sterling Heights, MI
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I did use Dot 5 in the ‘80’s but went back to using racing brake fluid (Dot 4) because of the following issues. 1. Silicone brake fluid entrains air bubbles easily when pouring and or maintaining the system and produces spongy feeling if not properly handled. 2. It doesn't absorb water, so any water that gets into the system accumulates in the lowest point stays there and causes rust mainly at the wheel cylinders and/or calipers which may cause seal failure at that point. 3. Some silicone fluids have additives that can vaporize at moderate temperatures, increasing the spongy feel in some instances. 4. Silicone fluid is incompatible with systems that have held glycol-based fluids for any length of time, require total rebuild of the brake system. Flushing and seal replacement can be done but extreme caution must be used when performing this task. There are other opinions on this which state that the modern silicone formulations are compatible with only a flushing and a complete reseal is not necessary (The actual DOT specification requires chemical compatibility so the two fluids won't cause reactions if used in the same system, but they certainly won't mix, either…You decide, it’s your car and possibly your life at stake here). In closing, it might be fine for some people to use this fluid but do you really want to risk it all just to use a fluid that won’t damage your paint? Most serious racers use this fluid Castrol SRF
If it ain't broke fix it anyway!
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Re: silicone brake fluid
[Re: John_T_Brown]
#342235
06/10/09 10:35 AM
06/10/09 10:35 AM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 7,490 Minnesota
Hemi_Joel
master
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master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 7,490
Minnesota
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Quote:
...In closing, it might be fine for some people to use this fluid but do you really want to risk it all just to use a fluid that won’t damage your paint?...
The point is, that there is LESS risk with DOT 5. With DOT 3, you are guaranteed to have a moisure related failure of your brakes if you keep it in there long enuff. It is just a matter of time. DOT 3 is a moisture magnet, it sucks in moisture and corrodes the cylinders.
For me, using DOT 5 has nothing to do with paint. I have had it in my 442 for 27 years. Most of my older cars now have silicone fluid. As the DOT 3 equiped systems fail, (and they all fail) I re-do them with DOT 5. The only exception is my 49 Plymouth, because I rebuilt the brakes at the site where I bought the car so I could drive it home, and the local parts store did not have enuff DOT 5. That was in '93 and I have replaced one or 2 wheel cylinders due to corrision at least twice, taken them apart and cleaned and re-assembled them and cleaned fluid off the shoes at least a couple more times. Every spring when I get the car out of storage, I have to allow time to mess with the brakes. Meanwhile, none of my silicone fluid equiped cars have had any problems. I don't care what Wilwood or anybody else thinks, 27 years of experience proves that dot 5 is better, safer, and more reliable, at least in my circumstances.
[img]http://i.imgur.com/boeexFms.jpg[/img]31 Plymouth Coupe, 392 Hemi, T56 magnum RS23J71 RS27J77 RP23J71 RO23J71 WM21J8A I don't regret the things I've done. I only regret the things I didn't do. "Wise men talk because they have something to say; fools because they have to say something. ~ Plato"
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Re: silicone brake fluid
[Re: John_T_Brown]
#342236
06/10/09 12:35 PM
06/10/09 12:35 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 8,180 Detroit, MI
CokeBottleKid
master
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master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 8,180
Detroit, MI
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Quote:
I did use Dot 5 in the ‘80’s but went back to using racing brake fluid (Dot 4) because of the following issues.
1. Silicone brake fluid entrains air bubbles easily when pouring and or maintaining the system and produces spongy feeling if not properly handled.
2. It doesn't absorb water, so any water that gets into the system accumulates in the lowest point stays there and causes rust mainly at the wheel cylinders and/or calipers which may cause seal failure at that point.
3. Some silicone fluids have additives that can vaporize at moderate temperatures, increasing the spongy feel in some instances.
4. Silicone fluid is incompatible with systems that have held glycol-based fluids for any length of time, require total rebuild of the brake system. Flushing and seal replacement can be done but extreme caution must be used when performing this task. There are other opinions on this which state that the modern silicone formulations are compatible with only a flushing and a complete reseal is not necessary (The actual DOT specification requires chemical compatibility so the two fluids won't cause reactions if used in the same system, but they certainly won't mix, either…You decide, it’s your car and possibly your life at stake here).
In closing, it might be fine for some people to use this fluid but do you really want to risk it all just to use a fluid that won’t damage your paint?
Most serious racers use this fluid Castrol SRF
Well considering the O.P HAS been using silicone you don't have to worry about him flushing it. I say he stays with it
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Re: silicone brake fluid
[Re: Barnstorm]
#2402045
11/11/17 06:43 PM
11/11/17 06:43 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 7,490 Minnesota
Hemi_Joel
master
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master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 7,490
Minnesota
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Guess who is now selling the evil DOT 5 fluid?
[img]http://i.imgur.com/boeexFms.jpg[/img]31 Plymouth Coupe, 392 Hemi, T56 magnum RS23J71 RS27J77 RP23J71 RO23J71 WM21J8A I don't regret the things I've done. I only regret the things I didn't do. "Wise men talk because they have something to say; fools because they have to say something. ~ Plato"
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Re: silicone brake fluid
[Re: Racer68]
#2402257
11/11/17 11:45 PM
11/11/17 11:45 PM
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Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 9,099 Rogue River, OR
Jeremiah
master
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master
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 9,099
Rogue River, OR
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Exciting, I love a good DOT5 brake fluid thread. We have DOT5 in everything from four wheel drums to four wheel discs. If my new (to me) 5 yard dump truck didn't have air brakes I'd put it in that too. After 5 years as an all weather driver in Oregon everything inspects okay and a quick flush produced nice looking fluid. This particular car has original wheel cylinders that I honed on the car and put kits in too. The only down side of DOT5 is aeration. If you get tiny bubbles in the system by pumping to fast, and air leak, etc. they can be time consuming to get out of the system. Switching from the various parts house brands to Cartel DOT5 Brake Fluid solved my aeration issues when bleeding new or freshly refurbished systems. http://www.cartelproducts.com/performancebrakefluids/siliconebrakefluiddot5.html
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