Silcone in place of brake fluid

[Friendly]

Has anyone used Silcone inplace of brake fuid and if so , where did you purchase the Silcone??

[KenSandyEggo]

Make sure it's compatible. I wrecked the rubber plunger in a hydraulic slave by using brake fluid insted of hydraulic fluid. The master and slave were each designed for different fluids. I had to replace the plunger with a "Buna" piece. Silicone brake fluid is available at any auto parts store.

[CLS447]

I believe DOT5 is the silicone stuff. It doesn't atract moisture & won't hurt paint.That is what my Harley uses.

But use what the brake manufacturer suggests.

[scottessex]

You can use silicone, BUT you must dissassemble your brake sytem and wash all the rubber parts with denatured alcohol. I have converted motorcycles with good results. The siicone is not compatible with dot3 fluid.
silicone dot5 is available at any motorcycle shop that sells parts for Harleys.

[Friendly]

Thanks for the input, I purchased some DOT 5 brake fuid yesterday before this post. I picked it up at the Honda Dealership. I was told that the silcone stuff does not hurt the paint but the warning lable says different. These are new parts masters and slaves and wheel cylinders so I did not want to install this fluid and learn that there was another type out there that did not hurt paint. The masters are all located below the slaves so I have to fill them from the slave end and I expect some spillage.

[GyroRon]

Alot of ultralight and light aircraft brakes don't use brake fluid at all, they use Automatic transmission fluid.

[Friendly]

Thanks, I may have to call the manufactors and find out. I do not have the paperwork on the various parts.

[Friendly]

Ron ,
You were correct, the Hegar disc brakes and the Matco MC5 Masters both take type A Decron II Fluid. I really prefer this because I don't have to worry about the paint as much as I would with the various brake fluids. My son just inherited $20 dollars worth of DOT 5 fuild for his dirt bike. like he will ever need that much!!!

[GyroRon]

Glad to be of service!

[CLS447]

With a little more info in your first post, I could have saved you the $20! I hope that was for a quart, by the way!

You didn't mention anything about Hegar!

The best way to fill this system is with a pumping oil can. Force the fluid from your calipers up to the master cylinder, or from what you said you have, the opposite. Always pump Low to high.

This pushes the air up & out. On the high side , make sure your bleeder fittings are the highest point, even if you have to detach them to do this. Any air in the system & you will lose braking perfomance.

Ask the right questions & you will get better answers!

In answer to your original question, When redoing the entire brake system on my 72 vette, I switched over to DOT5 fluid. Another benefit is that it can withstand higher temps. But both my gyros use tranny fluid. Does anyone know why?

[KenSandyEggo]

Chris, upon his return from a tour of a local coal mine posted: "But both my gyros use tranny fluid. Does anyone know why?"

Shifts easier?

I don't recall all the details, but a knowledgeable person that once was in the aircraft brake business said that some oil cans suck up some air on the release stroke of the handle and actually puts air into the lines.

[CLS447]

Ken, that could be true. I would recommend a good can, or maybe use a vacuum bleeder.

I make sure that the can is full, then I pump quite a bit of fluid through the system. I connect a clear hose from the bleeder to the catch bottle & watch the air bubbles leave. After a few solid pumps , close the bleeder being careful not to let air in. I think(pretty sure) that Hegar sent a pump can with my brakes. Works for me!


BTW.....How did you know that I toured the local coal mine ?

[Friendly]

Thanks Chris, I bought the silicone because it was recommended to me by the person who sold me the gyro. I bought it and second thoughts because the label said warning it can harm paint. So I went back the gyro which I have to workon out side under a tent at the moment and got the brand names, which led to the discovery of the need to use ATF A fluid. I wish I had known the right questions to ask and the right information as well. I am going from a block of plywood brake to a very sophisticated machine. It has more bells and whistles than an OHSA convention. Can you direct me to some good subura information about the escort ignition on the soob. I did luck up and purchase a clear plastic tube to fit over my new oil can and had great sucess with the brakes. I still have some problems with the rotor brake as it has a lever activated master which supplies pressure to a caliber on the rotor but it has a check valve which can maintain a lock status and it appears to be restricting the flow to the rotor caliber. Not a big problem, just dont want to spill ATF all over this beautiful gyro while sorting it out. Thanks again for the advise. I love your SS.

[GyroRon]

Mark how about a pic of this gyro?

[KenSandyEggo]

Chris, I saw the coal dust on your pants cuffs and noted the raspy breathing.

[CLS447]

Yeah Mark, Pictures ! Hydraulic rotor brake? Carol Degraw has one on her Dom. . That check valve..... Is that more like a parking brake device?

I can't help with the EJ22 info.... I don't have one yet, except in our 91 Legacy, so I have'nt done much homework yet. But I'm sure someone here could.


Ken, the "Coalcracker" region is a little north of me. I'd say, starting in Pottsville where "America's Oldest Brewery" is. YUENGLING. Do you get it in SanDyeggo? What are some of your local microbrews? My favorite beers come from a place called Weyerbacher Brewing co. In Easton,PA. . I'm gonna pic up a case of their lastest creation today. It is called "HERESY". An Imperial Stout aged in oak barrels that were used for aging bourbon. A little pricey but I'm worth it! Do a quick search & check out the website if you have an interest.

[Dean_Dolph]

Chris, I'm not sure what you are talking about or what Mark's answer is going to be but it made me think about the parking brake that Carl Schneider was/is using. It used to be available thru J.C. Whitney but a quick web site check didn't show it. It is made by Jamar Performance and can be seen here at the bottom of the page.

http://jamarperformance.com/product_main.htm

The following is a description that accompanies the web site picture.

THIS UNIT IS NOT TO BE USED AS AN EMERGENCY BRAKE.

PK1 DOT 3 ONLY / PK1 BN Silicone or DOT 3

JAMAR PK1 ~ A hydraulic lock that uses the line pressure of the system to hold your brakes locked, no electrical or special linkage required. Just step on the foot brake , push the Park-Lok down, let off the foot brake, and it's locked. Step on the foot brake again, and it opens automatically. Holds any vehicle with hydraulic brakes where you put it. With the Park-Lok set, the brake removes all pounding on ring and pinion gears when trailering a vehicle.

[KenSandyEggo]

That parking brake lock is available through most of the catalogues like Spruce, Leaf, Chief Etc. If you guys need me to find it, I can look it up and post the number, price, etc.

Chris, I have about 1 beer every 2 months at a restaurant, so I'm unfamiliar. My dad was raised for awhile in Nanticoke. Know where that's at? It's in the Wilkes-Barre area. His dad was a miner.

[Friendly]

Chris, I have a digital camera what pixel setting do I use to post and how do I post it? I just got back on line my son has been playing Slocum II on the net and he reconfirgured my computer to block me out. I finally got it going again and I removed the router!!

[CLS447]

Mark, I do believe you want 860x480. That is the lowest setting on my HP320. This is the best setting for E-mail , the manual tells me.