Brake Fluid Choices

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Marty

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:?: Hey everyone, what you running for brake fluid and do you have any regrets or are you real happy with it, why?
I'm setting up my new brake system and it's all new and bone dry right now, just wondering what's the best kind of fluid to use.
 
I went to the DOT 5, it's sylicone based, works very well when hot, doesn't absorb moisture and if spilled won't damage paint.
The only bad thing is the price, but hey, it's a win win situation. :D
 
This subject has rasied major opinion battles.... but I will attempt the post here. I reccomend Dot 5 or 6 silicone fluid for show cars and non daily drivers. I have had a heartbreak time with dot 3 and 4 eating my paint behind and down the firewall of my mastercyl, plus after a while the brake drum hardware gets the hit. I am in the mddle of converting my cars, so far no issues, I think Rick Erhenberg did a recent tech write up and out of all places it showed up on a brandX forum, where no one really could trash it, because he made valid pionts and facts, not Opinions.
http://www.moparaction.com/Tech/quest/BINDER_JUICE.html
 
I'd have to agree with six pack on this one...Just make sure to COMPLETLY flush the non-silicone fluid out of the system before using the Dot 5. The fact of no moisture absorbtion is a big plus in my climate.
 
DOT 5 is good for show cars and cars that aren't going to be doing a lot of performance driving. I've been trying to figure out what to put in my new system and from what I've read is if you're going to be putting alot of stress on the brakes its best to go with a Hi Temp DOT 4. The silicone stuff doesn't absorb water so the moisture that does accumilate in the system tends to end up in the calipers and causes vapor lock in Hi temp situations. Silicone also compresses more than regular brake fluid. I got alot of the info from Wilwood and guys who autocross and road race. If you do go with silicone, bleed your brakes every now and then to keep the moisture out of the calipers and wheel cylinders. I was planning on going silicone because it seemed so harmless to the paint, but I'm using all Wilwood calipers and plan on running hard so I guess its Hi Temp DOT 4 for me :(
 
I,m going to use DOT 5 because I value my paint, and it will just be a weekend car. The silicone doesnt compress, its if its got air in it the silicone is more likely to get aireated so I'l be very careful about the installation of it.
 
I also read that if you have a container of brake fluid with a lot of little air bubbles in it, pour it into a pot and heat it on the stove. The bubbles will rise to the top and it will look like it boiling, when the bubbles are gone let it cool and use.
 
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