Brake Fluid info

[Shrimpy]

I was over reading on a Suburban Forum and someone wrote about how changing Brake Fluid significantly helped with mushy pedal feel. I know some on this forum have problems with brake pull and other stuff and thought this info may be helpful.



These guys claim that going to a brand called Motul 600 or even better Castrol SRF (synthetic racing Fluid) did the trick. I always just grabbed the house brand as long as it was DOT 3 / 4. The ability of the above named fluids to deal with moisture and their boiling points are MUCH greater than regular DOT 3 / 4 fluids. The above two fluids are compatable with all types of fluid, but for best results they recomend draining and replacing with Motul 600 or Castrol SRF. They are both DOT 5 rated.



The reason I bring this up is because when I replaced the rear brakes on my old first gen, I sent my lovely wife down to get some fluid since I had forgotten to pick any up. She came back with a quart of Castrol SRF that cost $36. 00 . It was late and I had to finish the job and just chalked it up to a parts guy seeing her as not knowing any better and figured I would deal with it the next day. I completely replaced the fluid going to the rear brakes and re-bled the front brakes by adding the Castrol. That truck stopped better than it ever had!!!!! I forgot about checking on the price of the brake fluid but reading the thread brought back the memory. Maybe this could help someone who is having brake problems, or at least offer another alternative.



By the way, EGR Brakes were the folks that the suburban guy used for his pads and fluid. I believe they advertise on the TDR. Hope this may help someone... .....

 

[wcjp]

Brake fluid can add the mushy feeling only if there's contaminants. Contaminants would include water and dirt. They're compressable while brake fluid is not. I read somewhere some time ago that Dot 5 only comes in select vehicles from the factory. In order to properly convert an older vehicle the system had to be properly drained. Some seals are subject to hardening. The Dot 5 does nothing to maintain the older seal integrity.

 

[dan_gilson]

I have posted a number of posts here about Motul. It is really good stuff. Try these:



https://www.turbodieselregister.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=39648&highlight=Motul

https://www.turbodieselregister.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=28701&highlight=Motul

https://www.turbodieselregister.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=28314&highlight=Motul

https://www.turbodieselregister.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=28051&highlight=Motul

https://www.turbodieselregister.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=22355&highlight=brakes



Two things to keep in mind with Motul: It is a little more expensive (but it is a lot more expensive to NOT stop). And you need to replace it more frequently because it is DOT-3 and takes in water faster.



Keep in mind that it is not in the best interest for a dealer to bleed your brakes for a major service. I have know several that have not and had to insist that they do.

 

[illflem]

Couldn't remember which thread this was and started a new one, here it is.



Ford High Performance Brake Fluid

Found this interesting may be worth using.

From

http://www.hotrodsandhorsepower.com...1techtips2.html had some other new for me tips also.



Question any seasoned racer about brake fluid and one of the first things

that will come out of their mouth is "Ford High Performance Brake Fluid"

(sometimes referred as "Ford Heavy Duty Brake Fluid"). According to Hot Rods

& Horsepower, this is usually the fluid of choice, but let's back up for a

minute: The really good racing brake fluid available today is called

"Castrol SRF". It is a somewhat rare super-fluid designed primarily for

racing, but most people don't buy it because of the high buy-in cost. The

reality is, Ford Motor Company purchases this fluid by the barrel,

repackages it, and sells it as Ford Heavy Duty fluid to owners of heavy-duty

trucks. Anyone may buy it from a Ford dealer under part number

C6AZ-19542-AA. The packaging states: "High Performance Dot 3", and the cost is considerably less than the Castrol-packaged fluid.

Ford Heavy Duty DOT 3 is VERY inexpensive and is popular (particularly among racers) because of its excellent dry boiling point. It is sold in metal cans and as a result, it has a long shelf life(provided the seal isn't broken).

In terms of specifications, Ford Heavy Duty is classified as a DOT3 fluid.

The dry boiling point of this fluid is 550-degrees F while the wet boiling

point is 284-degrees F.

 

[Shrimpy]

Thanks for the additional info Bill !!!! I had seen the same thing on another site after digging a little further. I was to tired to write more . I have never had a problem with brake pull, but can't help wondering if fluid may be a piece of the puzzle.



Later.....

Jim

 

[dan_gilson]

I found a site that also compared the boiling points with the cost. I do not remember it but google.com will probably bring it up quickly.



I did not know about the Ford Truck repackaging. I will have to look into it.



Thanks!

 

[Bigramguy]

Illflem - thanks for the info



I have a few cases of that exact fluid from when I worked at a Ford dealer many years back (8 years of heII !). It is still sealed in the metal cans and all. Thought it was really too old to be any good. Will have to pull it out and take a look.

 

[illflem]

What I also found interesting in the article that the Ford info came from was that Dot 3 fluid in a plastic container has a very short shelf life. The fluid can actually draw moisture though the plastic, after the container is open forget it, it won't last long. Metal containers are preferred.