Re: brake fluid, shock fluid

[sgi!abingdon.wpd.sgi.com!sfisher@EDDIE.MIT.EDU (Scott Fisher)]

>> 
>>      1- I saw mention of 'dreaded DOT 3' brake fluid. What kind should
>>         be used and what is wrong with DOT 3.
>> 
>> Use only Castrol GT "LMA" brake fluid.  Not only is this
>> rated at DOT 4, but it is compatible with British rubber
>> seals in your hydraulic system.  Standard US-spec DOT 3
>> fluid will dissolve your brake and clutch seals in fairly
>> short order.
>
>I think this is a misconception.  

It isn't.  

>I've tried soaking british seals in
>DOT 3 to see what happens, and its uninteresting.  

For how long?  A couple of minutes?  It doens't work like
Fizzies, it takes a while to dissolve them.  But believe me, 
when your brake master cylinder goes out because you used 
Prestone (DOT 3, ethylene glycol) fluid and your foot goes 
to the floor, it's a helluva lot more than "interesting."