While surfing this morning I found this article
http://www.hotrodheaven.com/tech/brakes/ and removed the excerpt below. It
explains that the silicone brake fluid doesn't boil, but does become
compressible (worse than boiling) and it really doesn't protect from rust.
It may not absorb the moisture that get into the brake system that causes
rust, but the moisture still gets in there and will still cause rust!
This is a real good article with tons of good info on disc brake conversion
as well basic brake theory, a good read for anyone that is thinking about
modifying their brakes.
""Silicone brake fluid has a higher boiling point (around 700 degrees F.)
than the ethylene glycol base fluids, but the major disadvantages is not
"hygroscopic". Hygroscopic? "Altered by the absorption of moisture" What
this means is since it is not a glycol based, when moisture enters the
system it is not absorbed by the fluid. This results in beads of moisture
moving through the brake line, collecting in the calipers. Since it is not
uncommon to have temperatures in excess of 212 degrees F. (the boiling point
of water), this collection of moisture will boil causing steam and vapor
lock, this in turn will cause system failure. Silicone (DOT 5) is also
highly compressible due to aeration and foaming under normal braking
conditions.
If you are changing from a glycol base fluid to silicone or the other way
around. The two types do not mix so your system should be completely
purged, disassembled and dried out. When the two fluids are mixed you will
get a gummy substance and it will really mess up your system.""
/// unsubscribe/change address requests to majordomo@autox.team.net or try
/// http://www.team.net/mailman/listinfo
/// Archives at http://www.team.net/archive/bricklin
|