The
use of silicone brake fluids in classic car brake and clutch systems
is a topic of interest to enthusiasts as we have seen from the the
brake fluids thread on the V8BB. So here we are gathering together
useful references with facts and comments on the key issues and concerns.
The references will be expanded as more material is identified. More
Note: these references are mentioned simply for information
and neither the V8 Register nor its officers and committee members
recommends the use of slicone based fluids. If in doubt consult an
MG specialist listed in the V8LIFELINE. |
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DOT4
and DOT5 brake fluids
If silicone
is introduced into an older brake system, the silicone will
latch unto the sludge generated by gradual component deterioration
and create a gelatin like goop which will attract more crud
and eventually plug up metering orifices or cause pistons to
stick. If you have already changed to DOT5, don't compound your
initial mistake and change back. Silicone is very tenacious
stuff and you will never get it all out of your system. Just
change the fluid regularly. The British Cycle Supply Company
does not recommend use of DOT5 silicone brake fluid on British
motorcycles equipped with any AP Lockeed disc brake components.
(10.1.05) More
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DOT3
v DOT5 brake fluid
Wrenchbender is MIke Dixon, veteran of the motorcycle industry,
who after receiving initial training through Los Angeles Trade
Technical College's Motorcycle Repair Program (a two-year program
among whose instructors were Joe Minton and Pat Owens), was
one of the first 500 of Honda's Registered Technicians, attended
most of the Big Four's factory training courses, and plied his
trade as a metro L.A. area Honda mechanic and service manager,
suspension tuning shop owner and performance engine builder.
His comparative analysis is a good read. More |
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Braking
point - a query on brake fluid
Honest John's Agony Column in the Daily Telegraph - Motoring
section on Saturday 29th May 1999 responded to a query
from a reader on silicone brake fluid. More
Silicone brake and clutch fluid DOT5 - for reference a brief
note from Automec, the automotive brake pipe and parts specialist
. More |
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So
you think silicone fluid is the answer to your braking problems?
Not according to a US correspondent, it isn’t!
Bruce Anderson says "I’m not against silicone fluid,
but I feel it’s not acceptable for cars that are actually
driven – and especially those, such as Porsches, that tend
to be driven hard. In fact, one driver, Bobby Rahal, told us
that it scared him to death, and that if we didn’t take
the stuff out of the system we would have to drive the car ourselves."
(March 1999 - 911 & Porsche World)
More
This article
is featured on the Automec website. Bruce Anderson says "
as you might expect of someone who sells the stuff, Ray Smith
suggests that silicone-based fluid could be the solution to
all our braking problems – which I certainly don’t
feel is the case. He also claims that changing from an older,
polyglycol fluid to silicone fluid is straightforward. Once
again, I would suggest, it is not." |
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Fluid
movement
Ray Smith isn't just passionate about brake fluid, he's positively
obsessed with the stuff. In fact, he could easily list it as
his specialist subject in Mastermind. Talk to him for even a
few minutes, though, and you begin to realise that there's rather
more to this seemingly arcane field of automotive engineering
than meets the eye. Spend an hour with him and you'll soon be
zealously spreading the word yourself. Interview by a converted
Philip Raby. (October 1998 - 911 &
Porsche World) More
This article
is featured on the Automec website. Ray Smith, from the
Buckingham-based Automec Equipment and Parts Limited, says "‘Since
we first launched our silicone brake fluid here in the UK in
1982, we have been steadily convincing
people that there is a genuinely viable alternative to conventional
brake fluid; a fluid that you really can fit and then forget
for the life of the car.’ |
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V8
Register - MG Car Club - the leading group for MG V8 enthusiasts
at www.v8register.net
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