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On 2 Sep 98, at 0:34, Dave Hall wrote: > There is a feeling that the DOT 5 (silicone) fluid is better in cars > such as classics that are not used all that often, as there is not > the same likelihood of corrosion due to absorbed water. I take your > point Jim about water collecting in the Silicone fluid rather than > dispersing through it. All my cars have had silicone in them since 1979. That includes daily drivers and cars parked for years at a time. It does not include a modern Ford with ABS. I do not believe that water collects or does anything else in these brake systems. I suspect that there is some equlibrium between the water vapor pressure in the air and some small number of water molecules in dispersed in the fluid, but this does not manifest itself in water droplets anywhere and re- equlibrates as the seasons change. My brake systems have never been more trouble free. > I have also heard that if you wish to change to Silicone fluid, you > should replace all the rubber seals. Changing to Silicone fluid may > make sense if you are doing a full rebuild of the braking system, > but in view of the cost of the fluid and all the work, I reckon > changing the DOT 4 every few years will suit me. Above all, use the > cars to keep the parts working properly. Probably 80% of the cars I have changed to silicone had NO other brake work done at the same time. Most of the rest had the calipers rebuilt and the change to silicone was done to prevent having to ever do them again. Still, if your parts are worn out due to the poor lubricity of standard fluids, this would be the time to do your maintenance. I charge $50 to silicone a VW. It's a bargain, and I can do that and make good money at it. Compare that to the price of a MC or caliper. It is a bit more work than a standard bleed, and I know exactly what I am doing, so the work goes as fast as it can. I also require the owner to help because I need someone to pump the pedal while I run around the car. In the end, it's the best thing that I have ever stumbled on. I no longer rebuild MCs or calipers on a regular basis; they just never need it. Keep in mind that I was rebuilding MCs and calipers every 2 to 4 years up to that point and I got tired of the time and money that just kept disappearing down that hole. BTW the silicone fluid is compatable with all types of rubber used in all brakes since the early sixties. Any parts or rebuild kits made since then are fine. The British stopped using natural rubber at that time. All type 3 brake materials always have been silicone compatible. Jim - ******************************* Jim Adney, jadney@vwtype3.org Madison, Wisconsin, USA ******************************* ------------------------------------------------------------------- Too much? Digest! mailto:type3-d-request@vwtype3.org Subj=subscribe