Should I switch to DOT5 silicone brake fluid? (1 Viewer)

[bikemaniac]

Hi,

As part of my frame off restoration I replaced all the brake lines and cylinders with new parts.

I am tempted to pour DOT5 silicone brake fluid into my brand new brake system instead of the conventional DOT3 or DOT4.

Only 1 thing worries me: I read that DOT5 is great but water cannot mix with silicone fluid and will therefore collect as pure water at the lowest points which are the brake calibers. Since it is impossible to keep water/moisture/humidity out of a brake system there is a chance that corrosion will form on the internal surfaces in contact with the pure water. And hence, you need to bleed the system just like a normal DOT3 or DOT4 anyway.

Is that really true?

Lucas

 

[NLXTACY]

Generally rule of thumb is not to use DOT5 with ABS equipped vehicles. So depends what you got.

 

[Tools R Us]

No, most DOT5 is not recommended for ABS systems. What are you hoping to gain, DOT3 works great in the '80.

 

[scottryana]

DOT 5.1 is what you would be looking for, not DOT 5

 

[bikemaniac]

Mine does not have ABS and I dont drive it on a daily basis. I'd just prefer a "install and forget" system.

 

[ZackR]

Stick with DOT 3/4 and flush every few years. There's no such thing as a maintenance free braking system.

 

[BILT4ME]

No.

 

[fjbj40]

Stick with the 3/4 and flush every 2 years. It's only a hours job to flush the whole system

 

[White Stripe]

Yes the water is an issue, so I would recommend DOT 3 or 4. If I recall correctly, if water gets into dot 5 it turns into sludge. 4 is better than 3 if that matters to you.

 

[scottryana]

5.1

 

[NLXTACY]

5.1.194.255

 

[LC4LIFE]

5.1.194.255

Dusseldorf?

 

[Rifleman]

Stick with the 3/4 and flush every 2 years. It's only a hours job to flush the whole system

Follow the above advice, no need to change to Dot 5, just follow the FSM and flush your brake system with FRESH brake fluid from a SEALED container every 2 years.

 

[White Stripe]

I've never used 5.1, its a thinner fluid. Some dot 4 brake fluids have a higher boiling point than dot 5.1, some don't. All 3 should be flushed regularly. I wouldn't use dot 5. I dont know what dot 5 is used for anymore.

 

[NLXTACY]

I’m glad someone finally suggested 5.1