Brakefluid..What kind?
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 2,298
Likes: 1
From: Sodertalje/Sweden
Brakefluid..What kind?
hate to bring this up again,but i need some info on Brakefluids.
I`m gonna fill my system up this weekend and was wondering what kind of fluid is the most suited for the C3 with original brakes? DOT 5.1 or what..
:cheers: :cheers:
I`m gonna fill my system up this weekend and was wondering what kind of fluid is the most suited for the C3 with original brakes? DOT 5.1 or what..
:cheers: :cheers:
Advanced
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 55
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From: Olympia WA
Cruise-In III Veteran
Re: Brakefluid..What kind? (BB wowbagger)
If you are just street driving and no track time (road course) then I like the Castrol LMA. It works well. If you are going to be abusing the brakes at all, then I would use Ford Heavy Duty. It has a high boiling point and really works well when the going gets tough. I have used in my Porsche's and they all saw PCA track events.
Mike
Mike
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 11,872
Likes: 12
From: Waterloo ontario Canada
Re: Brakefluid..What kind? (BB wowbagger)
I use silicon. Not because I think it is a great brake fluid but because it does not eat my paint. I tend to be always doing something to the car and I end up spilling alot of brake fluid over the car. Any other fluid and I would be spoiling alot of paint.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 2,298
Likes: 1
From: Sodertalje/Sweden
Re: Brakefluid..What kind? (norvalwilhelm)
What about that the silicon fluids get you a "soft" feel when you apply the brakes?
Its a fluid,it shouldnt be able to compress..
Whats the differens between silicon and normal fluid? :smash: :cheers:
Its a fluid,it shouldnt be able to compress..
Whats the differens between silicon and normal fluid? :smash: :cheers:
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 11,872
Likes: 12
From: Waterloo ontario Canada
Re: Brakefluid..What kind? (BB wowbagger)
Normal fluid eats paint and silicon doesn't. Under normal driving conditions you will not feel the difference. My hydraboost system certainly doesn't feel shoft and I can easily lock the brakes up.
Silicon brake fluid also doesn't mix with water like normal brake fluid. To me this is not a good thing. Droplets of water will collect and not mix with the brake fluid giving you pockets of water that can boil off under high temperatures plus corrode where ever they sit.
I still only use the silicon to protect my paint.
Silicon brake fluid also doesn't mix with water like normal brake fluid. To me this is not a good thing. Droplets of water will collect and not mix with the brake fluid giving you pockets of water that can boil off under high temperatures plus corrode where ever they sit.
I still only use the silicon to protect my paint.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 16,945
Likes: 9
Re: Brakefluid..What kind? (BB wowbagger)
Sure fluid can be comporessed, but not to the extent of gas. If you apply enough pressure it will compress.
The silicone based fluids do compress more and it's non hygroscopic (won't attract water), instead water sinks to the lowest point (calipers) and starts corroding there. Water is bad, only a tiny amount can lower the boiling temperature and cause poor braking.
DOT5 is harder to bleed too. There were problems with swelling agents in the past, this is said to have been cured.
A thing to conisder is DOT5.2, it's not silicone but glycol based (super DOT4)
Marck
The silicone based fluids do compress more and it's non hygroscopic (won't attract water), instead water sinks to the lowest point (calipers) and starts corroding there. Water is bad, only a tiny amount can lower the boiling temperature and cause poor braking.
DOT5 is harder to bleed too. There were problems with swelling agents in the past, this is said to have been cured.
A thing to conisder is DOT5.2, it's not silicone but glycol based (super DOT4)
Marck
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 65,492
Likes: 230
From: Orange Park Florida
Re: Brakefluid..What kind? (BB wowbagger)
Yes, silicone does tend to 'aerate' and hold bubbles in suspension...especially when first installed....but, I also find there is much more of a soft pedal feel regardless of how long you wait for the bubbles to work their way out of the system....I really do not like any alternatives....but am not happy with DOT5 either for that reason....but I 'll take DOT5 silicone fluid over having the system rust internally, anyday.....
does make me wonder about using say....WD40 as a brake fluid though...
why can't they make brake seals out of the same stuff they do tranny seals....in other words...OIL IMPERVIOUS???? and use say ATF in brakes and get hell OVER IT????
GENE
does make me wonder about using say....WD40 as a brake fluid though...
why can't they make brake seals out of the same stuff they do tranny seals....in other words...OIL IMPERVIOUS???? and use say ATF in brakes and get hell OVER IT????
GENE
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