How often do you change your brake fluid?
10-18-2011, 05:41 PM
#21
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10-18-2011, 05:44 PM
#22
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This may be one of the few times, Garrett, when you and I don't see things the same way.
I've always used silicone brake fluid in my race car (and in my bride's track car) and I've never had to go thru the ritualistic pre-race bleeding of the brakes (or changing of fluid).
The only times I've bled the brakes on either car were instances when the systems were opened up for other reasons than pre-race prep..... intervals that are measurable in years.
Jim
I've always used silicone brake fluid in my race car (and in my bride's track car) and I've never had to go thru the ritualistic pre-race bleeding of the brakes (or changing of fluid).
The only times I've bled the brakes on either car were instances when the systems were opened up for other reasons than pre-race prep..... intervals that are measurable in years.
Jim
10-18-2011, 07:05 PM
#23
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St. Jude Donor '07
Not to go off topic or on a hijack, but the diaphragm has an accordion section that expands as the fluid level drops. The metal cover has a vent hole to allow the entrance of air.
C2/C3 calipers suffered from leakage problems due to corrosion outside of the pistons seals. As the brake pads wore and the pistons moved to compensate, the seals leaked at the previously corroded spots. If the seals were 'sucking in' moisture, they would also suck in air at the same time.
C2/C3 calipers suffered from leakage problems due to corrosion outside of the pistons seals. As the brake pads wore and the pistons moved to compensate, the seals leaked at the previously corroded spots. If the seals were 'sucking in' moisture, they would also suck in air at the same time.
i agree to a point. IF you have any rotor runout, then, because the calipers are fixed and not floating, the pistons can suck (pump) in air and moisture.
Bill
10-18-2011, 07:39 PM
#24
Le Mans Master
Me too
You know Bill, I put in new brakes, calipers , lines, , master cylinder , 8 years ago and have not touched it since.
Put on over 40,000 miles ( 30,000 last 2 years )
Still have lots of pad, no leaks , no soft pedal,
Why fool with it.
I fool with everything else and it just costs me money
Jack
Put on over 40,000 miles ( 30,000 last 2 years )
Still have lots of pad, no leaks , no soft pedal,
Why fool with it.
I fool with everything else and it just costs me money
Jack
10-18-2011, 07:43 PM
#25
10-18-2011, 08:11 PM
#28
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I have a 55 Speedster, A 64 Vette and a 70 Chevelle.
The Chevelle was changed to DOT-5 24 years ago and the other two 14 years ago. I have had zero brake problems in these years of use and the Chevelle I drove 65,000 miles in 24 years. In my opinion using regular brake fluid in a collector car equates to the 14th Century Monks wearing hair shirts because they caused more discomfort.
The Chevelle was changed to DOT-5 24 years ago and the other two 14 years ago. I have had zero brake problems in these years of use and the Chevelle I drove 65,000 miles in 24 years. In my opinion using regular brake fluid in a collector car equates to the 14th Century Monks wearing hair shirts because they caused more discomfort.
10-19-2011, 04:03 AM
#30
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When I bleed my brakes after a repair. Closed system, not much contamination if every things tight.
10-19-2011, 07:20 AM
#31
When it turns brown (25 years?).
I changed my cars over the summer.
It was the first time in the 17 years I owned the 60.
Suggest doing it more frequently though.
I am interested in seeing other peoples answers to this.
I changed my cars over the summer.
It was the first time in the 17 years I owned the 60.
Suggest doing it more frequently though.
I am interested in seeing other peoples answers to this.
10-19-2011, 07:46 AM
#32
Melting Slicks
I remove and replace the fluid in the M/C once a year at oil change time, every other oil change time in the daily drivers.
10-19-2011, 08:55 AM
#33
Melting Slicks
This may be one of the few times, Garrett, when you and I don't see things the same way.
I've always used silicone brake fluid in my race car (and in my bride's track car) and I've never had to go thru the ritualistic pre-race bleeding of the brakes (or changing of fluid).
The only times I've bled the brakes on either car were instances when the systems were opened up for other reasons than pre-race prep..... intervals that are measurable in years.
Jim
I've always used silicone brake fluid in my race car (and in my bride's track car) and I've never had to go thru the ritualistic pre-race bleeding of the brakes (or changing of fluid).
The only times I've bled the brakes on either car were instances when the systems were opened up for other reasons than pre-race prep..... intervals that are measurable in years.
Jim
Necessary? probably not.
But it's easy to do on the open wheel stuff - 10 minutes for 4 calipers.
10-19-2011, 10:54 AM
#34
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A lot of racers do, and I'm quick to realize I'm in the minority.
With the ready availability of a brake fluid with very high dry and wet boiling points, and one which has no affinity for moisture (silicone, in case that's not obvious), it seemed to me that bleeding the brakes before every race wasn't actually necessary. But what did I know.... I was a compleat noob at this racing thing.
However, with 6000+ racing miles (combined between our two cars) and no brake fluid issues, I'm sold on silicone fluid for track cars.
Jim
With the ready availability of a brake fluid with very high dry and wet boiling points, and one which has no affinity for moisture (silicone, in case that's not obvious), it seemed to me that bleeding the brakes before every race wasn't actually necessary. But what did I know.... I was a compleat noob at this racing thing.
However, with 6000+ racing miles (combined between our two cars) and no brake fluid issues, I'm sold on silicone fluid for track cars.
Jim
10-20-2011, 07:53 AM
#36
Melting Slicks
10-20-2011, 10:04 AM
#38
Melting Slicks
A lot of racers do, and I'm quick to realize I'm in the minority.
With the ready availability of a brake fluid with very high dry and wet boiling points, and one which has no affinity for moisture (silicone, in case that's not obvious), it seemed to me that bleeding the brakes before every race wasn't actually necessary. But what did I know.... I was a compleat noob at this racing thing.
However, with 6000+ racing miles (combined between our two cars) and no brake fluid issues, I'm sold on silicone fluid for track cars.
Jim
With the ready availability of a brake fluid with very high dry and wet boiling points, and one which has no affinity for moisture (silicone, in case that's not obvious), it seemed to me that bleeding the brakes before every race wasn't actually necessary. But what did I know.... I was a compleat noob at this racing thing.
However, with 6000+ racing miles (combined between our two cars) and no brake fluid issues, I'm sold on silicone fluid for track cars.
Jim
I actually only use castrol LMA in the open wheel cars, it does the job.
Temps are lower on the calipers & rotors.
10-20-2011, 11:19 AM
#39
Drifting
10-20-2011, 01:56 PM
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I wouldn't think of doing this on my old cars that sit idle for extended periods without being driven. That's why they have Dot 5 in them but the original poster didn't want to talk about silicone fluid so I didn't bring it up. The cars with Dot 5 in them never have any problem so I don't know how long you could leave that fluid in. Maybe forever?