Carl,
I switched to DOT5 for these two reasons:
1) DOT5 doesn't hurt paint, whereas DOT4 eats it up.
2) DOT5 doesn't absorb water, so theoretically you can go a much longer
amount of time between changing out the fluid. This is also supposed to be
an advantage on cars to that don't get much use, but I don't intend on
having my TR3 end up in that category.
I've found two downsides to DOT5:
1) The cost of the fluid. I don't expect this to be a big ongoing concern,
but through the trials and errors of restoration it did add up a bit!
2) Seems like it is a bit harder to bleed originally.
Dave Moag
62 TR3B
77 Spitfire
La Canada, CA
>-----Original Message-----
>From: owner-triumphs@autox.team.net
>[mailto:owner-triumphs@autox.team.net]On Behalf Of Musson, Carl
>Sent: Monday, August 21, 2000 10:35 AM
>To: 'TeriAnn Wakeman'
>Cc: 'TR-List'
>Subject: RE: Brake fluid DOT4 or 5 ?
>
>
>
>TeriAnn (et al) - if one has replaced all rubber and brake lines
>is there an
>advantage to changing to DOT5 vs. reverting to DOT4.
>
>Thanks
>Carl
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: TeriAnn Wakeman [mailto:twakeman@cruzers.com]
>Sent: Monday, August 21, 2000 1:40 PM
>To: Pat; TRlist
>Subject: Re: Brake fluid DOT4 or 5 ?
>
>
>
>>I don't know much about brake fluid. I read in a web page that the person
>>used DOT5 rather than DOT4.
>>
>>Am I correct in that DOT5 does not peel off the paint ?
>
>Correct
>>
>>They also said that to convert to DOT5 they had to use all new "Rubber".
>>What does this mean, all new rebuild kits that have rubber ?
>
>This means replace ALL rubber that comes in contact with the brake fluid.
> I had a lengthy conversation once with the person who wrote the test
>report for a fesibility test on using silicone hydraulic fluid for
>automotive brakes. Brake fluids react with the rubber changing it's
>characteristics. Traditional and silicone brake fluids react with rubber
>in different ways. Rubber seals that have been immersed in traditional
>brake fluids will almost always leak soon after being introduced to
>silicone fluid.
>
>So yes you should clean out the system (flush it with alchohol ideally),
>clean then rebuild all cylinders with new rubber and replace the brake
>flex lines when converting from traditional brake fluid to silicone brake
>fluid.
>
>
>TeriAnn
> http://www.overlander.net
>
> The world's most complete set of links connecting Rover 4X4 owners
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