Re: Brake Fluid question. DOT 5?
[Re: wkroncke17]
#2760036
04/04/20 03:39 PM
04/04/20 03:39 PM
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Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 4,220 West Plains, MO
DrCharles
master
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master
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 4,220
West Plains, MO
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It's working fine in my '72 Dart. Good firm pedal (nonpower front disc conversion) for years now. Tried it in the hydraulic clutch too but the Howe pull slave cylinder leaked it, so had to go back to conventional fluid there. Any recently manufactured brake components should have compatible seals. DOT 5 silicone fluid does not absorb water like DOT 3/4/5.1 glycol does, so any water in the system will collect at a low point, usually wheel cylinder or caliper. This can cause localized corrosion (as opposed to the wet glycol which rusts everywhere just a little bit). On the other hand, silicone won't attract water out of the air in the first place. And it will not turn into a goo or explode if inadvertently mixed with glycol. It just won't combine, and the purple dye will eventually migrate from the silicone to the glycol. There is a large amount of misinformation and phobias on the Internet, but you have to do your own research to find out what's real and what's not. The only disadvantage I know of is that it has to be bled slowly and carefully, because air bubbles entrained in the fluid take FOREVER to settle out. Same caution with shaking the container or pouring it into the master too fast.
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Re: Brake Fluid question. DOT 5?
[Re: DrCharles]
#2760038
04/04/20 03:53 PM
04/04/20 03:53 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 7,521 Minnesota
Hemi_Joel
master
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master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 7,521
Minnesota
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I have been using DOT 5 in my cars since 1981. It is the very best thing out there. I put it in my '67 442 in 81, drove it till 87, parked it till 2010, dug it out of storage, and the brakes still worked perfectly with zero issues, so I drove it on Power Tour 2011, Drag Week 2014, and Cars 'n Cones Road Trip 2016 with no issues. And I live in damp, humid MInnesota. How can you beat that? I rebuilt the brakes in my 65 F100 in 1990. Let a friend drive it for 6 months, then parked it till 2019. Drug it out of storage from my neighbors barn. The brakes are still working. I put in my 67 GTX in 2002 when I put the wilwood discs on the front. Wilwood said do't use DOT 5 but I did it anyway. Never had an issue. Race cars, street cars, cars that get stored, DOT 5 always works. Just do it!
Edit: I agree on the bleeding. I usually allow a week or so for that. Pour it slow and careful to avoid bubbles. I bleed the master, install it, do an initial bleed using a slow downward pump of the pedal with the screw open, and a slow release with the screw closed. I do all 4 and don't have to get it perfect. Then let it sit for a few days for the air to collect. Then I jiggle the pedal just a tiny bit while watching the master for little bubble to rise. I pause for a few minutes, then jiggle till the bubbles stop. Then repeat daily till no more bubbles. Usually the pedal is rock solid by then. If not, repeat the bleed thru the screws.
Last edited by Hemi_Joel; 04/04/20 04:01 PM.
[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: Brake Fluid question. DOT 5?
[Re: Hemi_Joel]
#2760046
04/04/20 04:23 PM
04/04/20 04:23 PM
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Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,266 New York, USA
Chargerfan68
pro stock
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pro stock
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,266
New York, USA
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I have read that due to the air entraining characteristic with Dot 5, the reason newer cars cannot use it is because they have anti-lock brakes. And the anti-lock solenoid pulses which would aggravate that issue. That is what i’ve always believed. I use it in my 68 b body with manual disc brakes and it works great for 10+ years.
1.50 60Ft. , 10.75@ 127MPH Hauling 3900 LBS.
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Re: Brake Fluid question. DOT 5?
[Re: Chargerfan68]
#2760049
04/04/20 04:30 PM
04/04/20 04:30 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 7,521 Minnesota
Hemi_Joel
master
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master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 7,521
Minnesota
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There is no reason on earth why the OEM's would use DOT 5. Dot 3 is cheaper, faster to bleed, and will outlast the warranty, yet foil the brake system when the car is old, prompting new car sales. DOT 5 is for cars like ours.
[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: Brake Fluid question. DOT 5?
[Re: Hemi_Joel]
#2760102
04/04/20 06:35 PM
04/04/20 06:35 PM
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 12,289 Fulton County, PA
CMcAllister
Mr. Helpful
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Mr. Helpful
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 12,289
Fulton County, PA
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You should be OK using it IF the system is all new or is completely rebuilt before installing it. I don't think I would use it on a system that previously had regular fluid in it. Strange recommends against it in their stuff for reasons stated - absorbs water, slightly compressible possibly causing a soft pedal, etc.
Last edited by CMcAllister; 04/04/20 06:36 PM.
If the results don't match the theory, change the theory.
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Re: Brake Fluid question. DOT 5?
[Re: lewtot184]
#2760121
04/04/20 07:15 PM
04/04/20 07:15 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 12,801 Benton, IL.
DaveRS23
Master of nothing...
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Master of nothing...
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 12,801
Benton, IL.
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dot 5 in both my street cars for decades. never an issue. Me, too.
Master, again and still
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Re: Brake Fluid question. DOT 5?
[Re: DaveRS23]
#2760175
04/04/20 09:32 PM
04/04/20 09:32 PM
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Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 43,719 Bend,OR USA
Cab_Burge
I Win
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I Win
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 43,719
Bend,OR USA
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dot 5 in both my street cars for decades. never an issue. Me, too. I don't, Dot 4 only now due to the brake makers like Wilwood saying to not use Dot 5 in their parts
Mr.Cab Racing and winning with Mopars since 1964. (Old F--t, Huh)
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Re: Brake Fluid question. DOT 5?
[Re: DrCharles]
#2760186
04/04/20 10:05 PM
04/04/20 10:05 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 7,521 Minnesota
Hemi_Joel
master
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master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 7,521
Minnesota
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After many years of telling us not to use DOT 5 in their stuff, Wilwood has now flip-flopped and says it's OK, and now they even sell it.
[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: Brake Fluid question. DOT 5?
[Re: 440Jim]
#2760346
04/05/20 11:57 AM
04/05/20 11:57 AM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 12,801 Benton, IL.
DaveRS23
Master of nothing...
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Master of nothing...
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 12,801
Benton, IL.
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Cool! 479* Racing brake fluid. Is that made by the same company that made the 200mph Racing tape?
Master, again and still
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Re: Brake Fluid question. DOT 5?
[Re: dthemi]
#2760899
04/06/20 09:12 PM
04/06/20 09:12 PM
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Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,810 Wisconsin
wkroncke17
OP
master
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OP
master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,810
Wisconsin
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5.1 for me in a drag, or street car What is the difference between DOT 5 and 5.1?
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Re: Brake Fluid question. DOT 5?
[Re: DrCharles]
#2761327
04/08/20 12:15 AM
04/08/20 12:15 AM
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Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,810 Wisconsin
wkroncke17
OP
master
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OP
master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,810
Wisconsin
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DOT 5 is silicone DOT 5.1 is glycol. Thank you very much! All advice given here was great and much appreciated!, DOT 5 it is. Wally.
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Re: Brake Fluid question. DOT 5?
[Re: wkroncke17]
#2761495
04/08/20 01:50 PM
04/08/20 01:50 PM
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 12,289 Fulton County, PA
CMcAllister
Mr. Helpful
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Mr. Helpful
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 12,289
Fulton County, PA
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DOT 5 has disadvantages. DOT 4 has a higher boiling point than DOT 3 and is what I use.
Moisture will get into the system from the atmosphere. DOT 3 & 4 will absorb it and take it along with it when you do an occasional bleed and flush. DOT 5 will allow it to settle out and rust/corrode parts.
DOT 3 & 4 will hurt the paint. Don't spill it, don't be a slob when bleeding and don't have any leaks. That's my plan.
If the results don't match the theory, change the theory.
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