I am going to have the brake fluid drained and replaced. Is there any type of special fluid I should use?

 

I like Motul 600. If you can't find it locally you can get it through Pettit. It's good stuff.

 

the two most affordable and trackable brake fluids are Ford Heavy duty brake fluid (over 550F Dry) and the Castrol GT-LMA (over 480F Dry). Both are over DOT 4 specs and pretty darn cheap.

Motul, AP racing and ohter brands are of course better, but cost a bit more, depends what you intend to do.

Danny

 

I read that LMA-GT is a vegetable based brake fluid while most other brake fluids are mineral based. (here: http://www.kipmotor.com/Technical%20..._questions.htm) This FAQ implies that using LMA-GT would be bad. Comments anyone? I'm going in for a brake job soon and had previously used Valvoline Synpower. However recently my ABS pump developed a leak and had to be replaced and I wonder now if switching to that had anything to do with it. Now I'm not sure what to use.

 

Keep in mind that racing brake fluid requires more frequent changes (every 2 yrs or 30k mi),

 

I use ATE Super Blue. M2 also sells the Motul if you don't mind waiting 2 months

 

I'm using the ATE Super Blue too. It has the cool gimmick of being colored so you can tell when you've completely flushed the system. However, I don't think it's DOT legal because of the color, but I'm sure nobody's ever going to nail you on that one. You should be able to find one or the other at any local race shop.

 

I was just going to take it into firestone and have them do it. I have no idea what brand they use.

 

taking it to a local firestone they'll most likely use some off teh counter fluid that costs 2 bucks/bottle

I've used the castro LMA on track days and my friend used the ATE blue. both our pedals got a bit mushier by the end of the day (roughly 1.5 hours on thunderhill). They are decent fluid however.

Danny

 

I'm trying Motul 5.1. Haven't changed it yet but hopefully this week. Motul seems to be the most recommended.

 

i have heard that draining and adding new brake fluid may not always be the best idea.

If you your brake fluid is still in good condition think of this first.

THe master cyclinder has diaphrams and all this other stuff inside, if youhave a old car like my 89 FC turbo, and the orignal stuff inside, then be wary.

Since it is sold old if you have some spec of dirt or contaominate in it, and u flush it through the system when udrain the fluid and it ends up in teh master cyclinder u may cause it to fail whe nthe dust/ contaminate burst the diaphram
etc.

 

There is a pitfall in that approach. Most chain shops like that keep their brake fluid in a big dispenser. (Usually it looks like a big mustard dispenser with a push pump on top.) Well, there's already a lot of air in that dispenser, and who knows how long it's been sitting around. Brake fluid readily absorbs moisture out of the air. So the brake fluid they're putting in can already be compromised with moisture. If you're going in to a chain shop I'd suggest you bring in your own brake fluid in an unopened can or two.

 

Can we use silicon based brake fluid in a stock FD brake system? ie Russell DOT5

 

No, silicone based fluids are not compatible with ABS, I do know that. My fluid system should be pretty clean because the fluid has been completely bled twice in less than 2 years, but I need new pads now and I think a few bubbles worked their way out of the ABS system since the pump was replaced about a year ago, as the pedal is getting spongy. Thanks for the help guys.

 

Not sure but I know my 5.1 fluid says comaptibel with DOT 3,4 and NOT 5.