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In this Discussion
- 53jetman March 2012
- joe53HH March 2012
- Jon B March 2012
- Terraplane33 March 2012
Brake Fluid - Synthetic or Mineral?
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I originally posted this message in the GENERAL area by mistake (First time posting to the Forum!) SO here goes take 2.........
I want to flush out the old fluid from the brake system in my 53 Hornet. I know enough to stay away from the DOT-5 silicone fluid but I wonder what your thoughts may be concerning the DOT 3 & Dot 4 fluids. I see all contain various formulas of glycol but some are synthetic and others are mineral based. Your opinions will be appreciated. Thanks, Joe -
Is there a specific reason to stay away from the DOT 5 Silicone ? :huh:Location : France
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Have used DOT 5 Silicone for years without any problems. For best results you must initially use in a completely new system - new wheel & master cylinders and new hoses. Flush the existing metal lines with brakleen to be sure you get all the old DOT 3 or earlier fluids cleaned out.
JerryJerry
email: HudsonJetman@mail.com
2nd Generation Hud-Nut
HET Tech Adviser on Hudson Jets 1953 & 1954
HET Registrar of all Hudson Jets -
Because I plan on using the existing brake lines I want to avoid even the slightest possibility of a fluid type contamination. That is why I do not want to use DOT5 fluid. I haven't read anything regarding the advantages/disadvantages between the mineral based and synthetic DOT3/DOT4 fluids. The manufacturers usually state the synthetic fluids are compatible with other DOT3/DOT4 fluids.
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Actually, you've posted your questions in the "Discussions" section of the Hudson Forum. That's where people go for jokes, rants, and messages not related to Hudsons. The "Hudson" Hudson Forum is at http://classiccar.com/index.php?option=com_kunena&func=showcat&catid=13&Itemid=129 and you might want to bookmark it when you get there. (It's REAL easy to get lost trying to navigate the Classiccar forums!)
You may find someone at the Hudson forum to answer your DOT 3 versus DOT 4 question more directly, since more folks hang out there. Unfortunately, I'm one of those who tried silicone in his car 15 years ago, and never looked back! The fellow doing the conversion merely blew the lines out with an air hose, poured the silicone in, and I haven't had a lick of trouble since. Only danger with silicone is that it sometimes manages to leak out of the brake light switches. I'm driving a '37 which has a primitive mechanical brake light switch so...no problem!
