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Silicone Brake Fluid-DOT 5 #241302
03/02/09 09:33 PM
03/02/09 09:33 PM
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Massachusetts
LYNCHROAD69.5 Offline OP
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Getting ready to put fluid in my new master brake cylinder, lines and wheel cylinders....auto parts store told me that I should not use DOT5 silicone brake fluid because it would blow all my seals out (not for vintage cars). My brake system is brand new..never seen any fluid. Anyone have an opinion or experience with this?

Re: Silicone Brake Fluid-DOT 5 [Re: LYNCHROAD69.5] #241303
03/02/09 09:45 PM
03/02/09 09:45 PM
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Mastershake340 Offline
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Other than some late model ABS systems, DOT 5 is just fine to use in a brake system.

Re: Silicone Brake Fluid-DOT 5 [Re: Mastershake340] #241304
03/02/09 09:56 PM
03/02/09 09:56 PM
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Lee446 Offline
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I have used it for many years with zero problems. Since you have not put any other fluid in previous to your overhaul, it will work just fine!

Re: Silicone Brake Fluid-DOT 5 [Re: Lee446] #241305
03/02/09 10:20 PM
03/02/09 10:20 PM
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Dot 5 has the advantage of not damaging your paint but it has a couple disadvantages. First and foremost, it does not absorb water like glycol based fluids do. Any moisture will tend to collect in the lowest part of the system and yes.. moisture does get into your braking system.

It also areates easily.. in fact, Harley Davidson says to let a new bottle sit for an hour before pouring it in the system. It compresses slightly more then glycol based fluids too.

It shouldn't harm your seals, but if you do use it, at least change it once in a while.

Re: Silicone Brake Fluid-DOT 5 [Re: Big_John] #241306
03/02/09 10:45 PM
03/02/09 10:45 PM
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Massachusetts
LYNCHROAD69.5 Offline OP
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Big John, I just read a similar article discussing some of the pros and cons of silicone. Some have also reported slightly spoongier feel in the pedal because silicone compresses slightly more.

Re: Silicone Brake Fluid-DOT 5 [Re: LYNCHROAD69.5] #241307
03/02/09 11:09 PM
03/02/09 11:09 PM
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Quote:

Big John, I just read a similar article discussing some of the pros and cons of silicone. Some have also reported slightly spoongier feel in the pedal because silicone compresses slightly more.




Yea, there's a lot of stuff written about it.

Some good info here: Brake Fluid

Re: Silicone Brake Fluid-DOT 5 [Re: LYNCHROAD69.5] #241308
03/02/09 11:09 PM
03/02/09 11:09 PM
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North Carolina
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469runner Offline
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I'm no rocket scientist, but how does a liquid compress?

Re: Silicone Brake Fluid-DOT 5 [Re: 469runner] #241309
03/02/09 11:22 PM
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Quote:

I'm no rocket scientist, but how does a liquid compress?




As I understand it, the space between the molecules changes. I don't know if the DOT 5 fluid really compresses enough to notice, but if it areates easily (mixes with air) the bubbles would compress pretty easily.

Re: Silicone Brake Fluid-DOT 5 [Re: LYNCHROAD69.5] #241310
03/03/09 08:26 AM
03/03/09 08:26 AM

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Might have a problem sealing. DOT 5 tends to find its way out a bit easier than DOT 3. But again, it won't eat paint.

Re: Silicone Brake Fluid-DOT 5 [Re: ] #241311
03/03/09 09:11 AM
03/03/09 09:11 AM
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new berlin wisconsin
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Mr T2U Offline
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the reason some people have a spongy petal when using DOT 5 fluid is because DOT 5 retains air like DOT 3 does moisture.
when installing DOT 5 place the OPEN container in direct sunlight for about 1 hour before using. this will release the air trapped in the fluid during shipping, this is why most DOT 5 fluid is shipped in black containers.
i have used DOT 5 fluid for around 10 years without any problems.


perception is 90% of reality
Re: Silicone Brake Fluid-DOT 5 [Re: Mr T2U] #241312
03/03/09 11:01 AM
03/03/09 11:01 AM
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Silver70 Offline
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After putting hundereds of hours in paint on a restored car, I wouldn't use anything but dot 5. Especially considering the latest one had a leak and had I used dot 3, I'd be repainting the inner fender, frame rail, etc...

I have used it in 2 cars, both manual disc cars and I didn't notice a soft pedal or have any issues. It's not cheap, got the small bottle, they sell quarts also and it was 13 bucks, quarters are 25 or so. But small price to pay over repainting!


68 Road Runner, 69 Belvedere, 71 Challenger Vert
340 barracuda, 01 Ram CTD, 95 Ram, 04 Ram, 85 Daytona turbo Z
66 GTO, 06 Magnum RT AWD. 07 Ram CTD, 07 Ram
Re: Silicone Brake Fluid-DOT 5 [Re: LYNCHROAD69.5] #241313
03/03/09 11:23 AM
03/03/09 11:23 AM
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East Aurora (Buffalo) NY
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Yes, moisture will collect. I had to change a dust seal I put in wrong on a caliper, and when I took it apart, there was a little bit of water in the piston area. I had them sleeved with stailess, so no damage, but I gave both sides a good flush anyway. My system was all new also.

A trick I was taught was to place the container of DOT 5 fluid in a pan of boiling water. Makes the small suspended air bubles expand and rise to the top. The fact that it doesn't eat paint away is the biggest reason I use it.


68 Road Runner (383/4speed, post car w/decor pkg) - Major Project
69 Road Runner w/472 Hemi & 4 speed.
70 Challenger R/T SE EF8 w/ V9J, U - A32 - Major Project
2023 Ford Mach 1
Re: Silicone Brake Fluid-DOT 5 [Re: Silver70] #241314
03/03/09 01:31 PM
03/03/09 01:31 PM
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Quote:

After putting hundereds of hours in paint on a restored car, I wouldn't use anything but dot 5.






ditto.

Dave


1970 Super Bee 440 Six Pack 1974 'Cuda 2008 Ram 3500 Diesel 2006 Ram 3500 Diesel 2004.5 Ram 2500 Diesel 2003 Ram 3500 Diesel 2006 Durango Limited [url] http://1970superbee.piczo.com [/url]
Re: Silicone Brake Fluid-DOT 5 [Re: DPelletier] #241315
03/03/09 02:13 PM
03/03/09 02:13 PM
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Iowa
burdar Online work
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Great info guys. You sold me on the stuff. How much fluid does the average E-body hold? Are the bleeding procedures the same?

Re: Silicone Brake Fluid-DOT 5 [Re: burdar] #241316
03/03/09 09:05 PM
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After bleeding the ones on the front disc/rear drum with power, I used a quart... in a 70 challenger.

Re: Silicone Brake Fluid-DOT 5 [Re: Silver70] #241317
03/04/09 12:16 AM
03/04/09 12:16 AM
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Troy Offline
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I have DOT 5 in my T/A and I must say that it does feel a little spongy compared to other cars that I have done.

just my


....there is nothing like driving my 1968 Hemi Dart around town and having people looking at you like you're nuts!!
Re: Silicone Brake Fluid-DOT 5 [Re: LYNCHROAD69.5] #241318
03/04/09 11:38 PM
03/04/09 11:38 PM
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I've used DOT5 in dozens of cars, never had a problem, no pedal difference, nothing.


CrAzYMoPaRGuY
Re: Silicone Brake Fluid-DOT 5 [Re: CrAzYMoPaRGuY] #241319
03/05/09 12:01 AM
03/05/09 12:01 AM
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Silver70 Offline
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I'd guess the people who thing the pedal feels spongey still have air in the system.


68 Road Runner, 69 Belvedere, 71 Challenger Vert
340 barracuda, 01 Ram CTD, 95 Ram, 04 Ram, 85 Daytona turbo Z
66 GTO, 06 Magnum RT AWD. 07 Ram CTD, 07 Ram
Re: Silicone Brake Fluid-DOT 5 [Re: Silver70] #241320
03/07/09 07:26 PM
03/07/09 07:26 PM
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LimeliteAero Offline
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whats the best way to flush some of my parts I will be re-using during my resto? The master and wheel cylinders have less than 2000 miles on them. also if I remember the calipers are pretty fresh.

Re: Silicone Brake Fluid-DOT 5 [Re: LimeliteAero] #241321
03/07/09 08:25 PM
03/07/09 08:25 PM
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NJ-USA
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HPMike Offline
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Quote:

whats the best way to flush some of my parts I will be re-using during my resto? The master and wheel cylinders have less than 2000 miles on them. also if I remember the calipers are pretty fresh.




Flush them out with alcohol. You can also use some DOT5 to flush it out as well.

In response to the original inquiry, you would have to be just plain silly to use anything but silicone in a freshly restored car. I can show you countless photos of beautiful cars that had the paint destroyed by the DOT3. All of the so called maladies?? well, 25 years of using the stuff, never had a single issue. Spongy pedal?? Unless there was trapped air, frankly it's impossible. It will create tiny bubbles if you shake the bottle or really agitate the fluid while bleeding, but normally they will make their way to the top of the master and not cause any issues.

MB

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