DOT 5 fluid availability
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 2,945
Likes: 1,115
From: Hereford AZ
DOT 5 fluid availability
Any of you folks who use DOT 5 finding it harder to find lately? It seems that I cannot get the brands I used as readily as I once did. I had originally used Wilwood brand, but out of stock (for a while) at Summit and not in inventory at JEGS. I do see a brand on Amazon, "Quicksilver". Just wondering...
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 11,256
Likes: 2,124
From: Bowling Green, Kentucky
https://www.hirschauto.com/DOT-5-SILICONE-BRAKE-FLUID/productinfo/SBF/QUART/
http://www.clearcoproducts.com/pdf/specialty/NP-dot-5-brake-fluid.pdf
I like the Clearco product, but the 1 gallon minimum may be too much for you.......unless you share with some friends. However, the link I cut/pasted transfers over to Hirsch product website. So perhaps they are now the same. However, you can Google "Clearco DOT 5 brake fluid" and see the Clearco website.
The Hirsch Product is probably very good as well, although I have not bought it from them before. But the company has been around for decades supplying great automotive products.
Larry
EDIT: Some good info from previous discussions. https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...e-fluid-2.html
http://www.clearcoproducts.com/pdf/specialty/NP-dot-5-brake-fluid.pdf
I like the Clearco product, but the 1 gallon minimum may be too much for you.......unless you share with some friends. However, the link I cut/pasted transfers over to Hirsch product website. So perhaps they are now the same. However, you can Google "Clearco DOT 5 brake fluid" and see the Clearco website.
The Hirsch Product is probably very good as well, although I have not bought it from them before. But the company has been around for decades supplying great automotive products.
Larry
EDIT: Some good info from previous discussions. https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...e-fluid-2.html
Last edited by Powershift; Jan 16, 2025 at 12:20 PM.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 2,945
Likes: 1,115
From: Hereford AZ
Larry,
Thanks. I was hoping to find something at the local autoparts store. Hard to find here (Hereford AZ). Autozone, O'Reily, NAPA has none. Even Summit only has one type. I may look into the folks you mentioned.
Thanks. I was hoping to find something at the local autoparts store. Hard to find here (Hereford AZ). Autozone, O'Reily, NAPA has none. Even Summit only has one type. I may look into the folks you mentioned.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 5,391
Likes: 1,208
From: Glen Allen VA
https://www.hirschauto.com/DOT-5-SILICONE-BRAKE-FLUID/productinfo/SBF/QUART/
http://www.clearcoproducts.com/pdf/specialty/NP-dot-5-brake-fluid.pdf
I like the Clearco product, but the 1 gallon minimum may be too much for you.......unless you share with some friends. However, the link I cut/pasted transfers over to Hirsch product website. So perhaps they are now the same. However, you can Google "Clearco DOT 5 brake fluid" and see the Clearco website.
The Hirsch Product is probably very good as well, although I have not bought it from them before. But the company has been around for decades supplying great automotive products.
Larry
EDIT: Some good info from previous discussions. https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...e-fluid-2.html
http://www.clearcoproducts.com/pdf/specialty/NP-dot-5-brake-fluid.pdf
I like the Clearco product, but the 1 gallon minimum may be too much for you.......unless you share with some friends. However, the link I cut/pasted transfers over to Hirsch product website. So perhaps they are now the same. However, you can Google "Clearco DOT 5 brake fluid" and see the Clearco website.
The Hirsch Product is probably very good as well, although I have not bought it from them before. But the company has been around for decades supplying great automotive products.
Larry
EDIT: Some good info from previous discussions. https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...e-fluid-2.html
Response from Clearco today says they discontinued this product some time ago.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2024
Posts: 1,554
Likes: 1,011
From: Florida
I just ;purchased a quart at O"reilly's recently.... Looked it up on line but when I went to the store the " younger fellow" could not find any and told me they must not have it...
Another employee asked what we were looking for and went in the back and came out with a quart..... Make sure you get someone knowledgeable at the store...
Another employee asked what we were looking for and went in the back and came out with a quart..... Make sure you get someone knowledgeable at the store...
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2024
Posts: 1,554
Likes: 1,011
From: Florida
Harleys did use Dot 5 in their bikes for years... My research showed they stopped when they started using ABS braking systems..... Apparently Dot 5 does not work well in an ABS braking system.... At least that is what I read in my research..
1967 Pedal Car Champion
Joined: Mar 2020
Posts: 9,027
Likes: 4,174
From: US-PNW
Not local unless one lives in Harvard IL... I bought my last quart from CTL Performance Products:
https://ctlproducts.com/products/car...iant=936490247
No issues at all.
https://ctlproducts.com/products/car...iant=936490247
No issues at all.
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Drifting
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,800
Likes: 212
From: Metro MI too close to the D
Any of you folks who use DOT 5 finding it harder to find lately? It seems that I cannot get the brands I used as readily as I once did. I had originally used Wilwood brand, but out of stock (for a while) at Summit and not in inventory at JEGS. I do see a brand on Amazon, "Quicksilver". Just wondering...
huge caution for your amazon topic - most all is cheap china, make sure to deep dive who the seller is and where their product comes from, especially if ships from amazon,
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 2,945
Likes: 1,115
From: Hereford AZ
Yes, that is true for most things. I live a little distance from a major metro area. We use Amazon for many things. Have gotten used looking for the right stuff from the right vendor. I didn't realize that I had used the "Quicksilver" brand DOT 5 before. It is a company out of WI (not sure were the product is formulated), One of the things though, like anything else the price of this is through the roof.
Link to the vendor, in case someone is interested:
https://www.quicksilver-products.com/en/
Link to the vendor, in case someone is interested:
https://www.quicksilver-products.com/en/
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 5,391
Likes: 1,208
From: Glen Allen VA
Like other parts and qualified mechanics, these cars are phasing out of normal commerce. With the advent and widespread use of antilock braking, DOT 5 will eventually become difficult to find. Purchase volume will decrease, then production volume will follow.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 15,408
Likes: 8,839
From: northern california
C2 of Year Finalist (track prepared) 2019
My takeaway is that it's going to continue to be available for as long as any of us are around to care.
Pro
Joined: Dec 2023
Posts: 656
Likes: 198
From: Katy,TX
I did have one brand (forgot which) that the blue dye settled to the bottom of the MC in my 81 Trans Am. Called the company and they said it should not do that but it should not affect performance-not sure I believed them but still stops fine.
For those of you that have other project cars that use a rear disc kit with the Caddilac/79-81 Trans Am rear E brake ratchet calipers as many do, silicone fluid keeps the ratchets from locking up as was common with those PIA calipers. They are a 2.5" "metric" GM caliper with a built in ratchet for the E brake. Metric calipers can be swapped if you do not need an E brake.
For those of you that have other project cars that use a rear disc kit with the Caddilac/79-81 Trans Am rear E brake ratchet calipers as many do, silicone fluid keeps the ratchets from locking up as was common with those PIA calipers. They are a 2.5" "metric" GM caliper with a built in ratchet for the E brake. Metric calipers can be swapped if you do not need an E brake.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 1,731
Likes: 287
From: Limerick Pa, Saint James City Fl
FWIW, Do not confuse Dot 5 with Dot 5.1. Dot 5.1 is glycol base like dot 3 and 4. Three of my F650 Fords call for 5.1 and one of my guy’s was topping them off with dot 5 when servicing/ fluid levels. Two of them had calipers sticking at 70,000 miles, third one has been flushed, no issue yet.
Chip
Chip