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EFV-8 Club Forum / General Ford Discussion / Silicone brake fluid.

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Discussion Topic: Silicone brake fluid. -- page: 1 2 3

Gary M.

08-18-2012 @ 7:42 PM

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My master cylinder is shot and my slave cylinders are leaking so Im changing everything. All new parts , hoses ,master ,slave cylinders ,springs ,flushing out all the brake lines and thinking about going with silicone fluid. Any opinions ? Im tired of changing pitted and rusty cylinders!

supereal

08-18-2012 @ 8:15 PM

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If you are replacing DOT3 with DOT5 (silicone), now is the time with new parts. Be sure to flush all lines with alcohol before adding the fluid, as the two types don't mix. At our shop, we don't recommend silicone, as it is very difficult to get all air out. Silicone entrains air, so don't agitate it before installation. To reduce problems with regular fluid, just replace it every couple of years by bleeding the system until the fluid runs clear. Silicone is considerably more expensive than DOT3 so buy plenty for bleeding.

deluxe40

08-19-2012 @ 10:22 AM

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I have two cars with silicone fluid. One was restored about 1990 and then sat in a back yard for about eight years without moving before I got it. I restored the second one and put silicone fluid in it about 1996. It was difficult to get one of the front hoses to stop seeping. A second try with new copper washers did the trick. I drive both cars at least once a month. I have had no brake problems. I believe I have only added fluid to them once or twice and I have never bled the systems.

Another car, with brakes that were good and Dot3 fluid, sat for about a year while I was busy. At the end of the year the cylinders were so frozen we had to drag it out of the barn with the wheels sliding.

40guy

08-19-2012 @ 12:16 PM

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I rebuilt so many wheel cylinders I could do it in my sleep. Got tired of that one day and went the whole nine yards { same as you plan to do except I replaced the metal lines too }. Sixteen years; not one brake issue. The key is proper bleeding. Mine will lock all fours with silicone. I'll never go back to DOT3.

Peterooster

08-19-2012 @ 5:18 PM

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Went with silicone 16 years ago for my 1950 F-1, 4000 mi later no problems Pete

Gary M.

08-19-2012 @ 5:20 PM

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Are there any major concerns that I need to be aware of ? I am told that water in the system drops to all the low areas and cannot be easily bled out. How would water get into the system when my car never sees rain , snow or a water hose and lives in a heated and air conditioned garage ? Thanks for the input...

Gary M.

08-21-2012 @ 5:36 PM

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Also, is there any reason why silicone brake fluid would NOT be compatable with all brand new brake components from Macs ?

trjford8

08-21-2012 @ 7:23 PM

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I use Dot 5 in all my cars. If you are starting with a completely new system Dot 5 would be a good way to go in my opinion.

supereal

08-22-2012 @ 9:13 AM

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Water accumulates in DOT3 brake fluid because it is alcohol based, and is hydroscopic, meaning it attracts water. That is also why ethanol in gas causes corrosion and rust in fuel tanks, the reason why ethanol isn't transported thru pipelines. Auto brake systems are vented to the atmosphere at the master cylinder cap, and wheel cylinder boots that are old and stiff also allow road moisture to enter. Old Ford brake systems can be difficult to bleed manually without using large quantities of fluid. Using a pressure bleeder is better. We haven't had much luck using the "My-T-Vac" method, either. Never use an opened container of fluid. Always fill or refill the system from a new, unopened can, as the fluid draws moisture in storage if previously open. Also, don't reuse fluid collected during bleeding, even if it looks clear.

TomO

08-22-2012 @ 10:43 AM

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Gary, I would buy all of the cylinders and hoses at a local parts house and specify USA made or rebuilt. That way if you have a problem, you can just run back to the supplier and resolve the issue.

Wagner and Dorman still produce the parts in this country.

Tom

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