DOT 5 to DOT3 fluid change - issues?
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
From: Burnaby BC
DOT 5 to DOT3 fluid change - issues?
I am currently using DOT5 with manual brakes (came in the vehicle when I purchased it). I do not like the soft feel of the pedal (despite repeated bleedings). Before I go to braided lines, revised seals or worse - power brakes, I want to try a high performance DOT 3 fluid. What is the proper procedure for purging the DOT 5 and replacing with DOT3?
Drifting
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 1,462
Likes: 1
From: Reno nevada
Re: DOT 5 to DOT3 fluid change - issues? (msn71)
I use dot synthetic. Since I have been on this forum I have heard of all kinds of flushing agents. Like denatured alcohol to paint thinner. I bought a vacuum brake bleeder and sucked my lines dry. I used a large C-Clamp to compress the pistons to get as much of the oil out as I could. Then I scrubbed out the Master cylinder with parts washer solvent and dried it out. I then continued to use the vacuum bleeder on each line till all that would come out was the clear synthetic fluid.
So in effect I didn't flush the system with anything other than synthetic. I did not want it contaminated. I now flush it about one a year.
Also on this forum. norvalwilhelm uses a truck belt driven power brake booster.
So in effect I didn't flush the system with anything other than synthetic. I did not want it contaminated. I now flush it about one a year.
Also on this forum. norvalwilhelm uses a truck belt driven power brake booster.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 65,492
Likes: 230
From: Orange Park Florida
Re: DOT 5 to DOT3 fluid change - issues? (msn71)
the differance between DOT 3 and 5 on pedal feel is so minute you would have to be very pickey to notice....
IMO...take the damn springs out from behind the caliper pistons...that will do more to firm upthe pedal than anything else...
GENE
IMO...take the damn springs out from behind the caliper pistons...that will do more to firm upthe pedal than anything else...
GENE
Race Director
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 18,126
Likes: 174
From: WI
Re: DOT 5 to DOT3 fluid change - issues? (msn71)
msn71,
Your reasons for removing dot 5 are your own (I agree). Drain as much as you can, buy a cheap turkey baster (don`t use the wifes!!) use it to suck the master as dry as possible. Any hardware store has denatured alcohol in the paint dept. run some through all the lines and out the bleeders you can also use cheap "Brake kleen" I would NEVER use anything else as (i believe) everything else leaves a residue.You can easily remove the calipers from their mounts one at a time and with a clear piece of plastic tubing on the open bleeders squeeze pads back moving the pistons into their bores to purge most of the old stuff out, use a container to catch the old fluid (i use a 20 oz plastic soda bottle). ...redvetracr
Your reasons for removing dot 5 are your own (I agree). Drain as much as you can, buy a cheap turkey baster (don`t use the wifes!!) use it to suck the master as dry as possible. Any hardware store has denatured alcohol in the paint dept. run some through all the lines and out the bleeders you can also use cheap "Brake kleen" I would NEVER use anything else as (i believe) everything else leaves a residue.You can easily remove the calipers from their mounts one at a time and with a clear piece of plastic tubing on the open bleeders squeeze pads back moving the pistons into their bores to purge most of the old stuff out, use a container to catch the old fluid (i use a 20 oz plastic soda bottle). ...redvetracr
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 15,037
Likes: 79
From: central FL, near the beach.
Re: DOT 5 to DOT3 fluid change - issues? (msn71)
stick with dot 5(too much green slime to swap), have u tried gravity bleeding? http://community.webtv.net/MATTGRU/BRAKES
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 2,065
Likes: 1,395
From: Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
Re: DOT 5 to DOT3 fluid change - issues? (mrvette)
the differance between DOT 3 and 5 on pedal feel is so minute you would have to be very pickey to notice....
IMO...take the damn springs out from behind the caliper pistons...that will do more to firm upthe pedal than anything else...GENE
IMO...take the damn springs out from behind the caliper pistons...that will do more to firm upthe pedal than anything else...GENE
DOT 3.
I have owned this Vette for 32 years, and have been using DOT5 for over 10
years. I think I would have noticed a difference in the pedal.
What is the reason for removing the springs ?
I installed SS calipers over 10 years ago, from SS Brakes Corp., would they
have the springs or not ?
MSN71 --- I never did have a soft pedal after converting to DOT 5.
I did however rebuild the Master Cyl when I replaced the calipers.
Maybe the DOT 5 requires a very good condition Master Cyl. (Only a guess)
I have power brakes, maybe that's the difference. Don't know why some
people have a soft pedal with DOT 5 and others do not.
Barry
[Modified by Barry's70LT1, 12:52 PM 3/15/2002]
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 23,375
Likes: 1,067
From: Virginia USA
Re: DOT 5 to DOT3 fluid change - issues? (Barry's70LT1)
Keep the DOT5. I have manual brakes and use DOT5 and the pedal is very hard. You must have something else wrong with your brake system to cause a spongy pedal. Maybe a bad seal in the master cylinder or something like that causing the system to not excert the proper pressure. I personally like the DOT 5 because it dosen't harm your paint and it dosen't attract water like DOT3. It is expensive though.
John
[Modified by theandies, 11:19 AM 3/15/2002]
John
[Modified by theandies, 11:19 AM 3/15/2002]
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 30,995
Likes: 99
From: Ontario
Re: DOT 5 to DOT3 fluid change - issues? (msn71)
I converted to DOT 5 three years ago. It is not hydroscopic and is paint friendly. My brake pedal is not spongy. I would not go to the trouble of replacing it.
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