I wanted to get a general consensus in this forum vice the brake forum.

Other than being DOT 3, what brand does everyone prefer to use in your Super Duty's?

I'm about to undertake a major brake renovation and I'm just wondering what brand fluid you guys like to use.

 

I've done everything but get the specific gravity on mine. My break fluid is green, which is typically a silicone.

For Dot 3, I don't think it matters for average use. Performance friction has a dot 3 with a really high boiling point. If I do find out I have Dot 3 and not something exotic, I will be using PF's Z-Fluid.

 

In my opinion the one fluid that really doesn't matter which brand, is brake fluid. If you must choose though, prestone and valvoline make synthetic versions that are pretty cheap(especially the prestone at wal mart).

 

Castrol GT-LMA.

Pop

 

whatever is cheapest. A bottle of brake fluid lasts me 20 years

 

Guess you don't replace the stuff in your system every couple of years, then, right?

Since brake fluid is so hydroscopic (it actually absorbs moisture from the air), it eventually gets to be a pretty-good percentage water. That leads to two problems:

1) That water will rust any ferrous metals inside your brake system. That would include the master cylinder, brake lines, and wheel calipers. Eventually, you'll have a fluid-related brake problem, even if you live in Southern Arizona.

2) The more water percentage, the lower the point at which your brake fluid actually BOILS. That can happen when you're coming down a long grade and heating up the brakes a bit. When that happens, the fluid inside the calipers will turn into a "gas" (steam?), and you end up with what is essentially NO BRAKES!

You may not believe me until it actually happens to you the first time, but from that time on, you're gonna be a BELIEVER!

Ask me how I know...

I'd bleed all that old crud out of there.

BTW, the "LMA" in my above choice stands for Low Moisture Absorption.

Pop

 

The Castrol LMA came up on one of the Google searches I ran. Out of the list of DOT 3 fluids that were reviewed, the Castrol LMA had the lowest wet and dry boiling points. On the other hand though they say it is very good for it's low moisture absorbtion.

ATE Super Blue Racing and ATE TYP 200 got the best ratings. I don't think I've ever seen this stuff in any auto parts stores.

From what I've read, the wet and dry boiling points is the main difference in any of the fluids on the market.

 

Here's a good article I found pertaining to the differences in DOT 3, 4 and 5 fluids.

Tech Tip: Brake fluid debate

 

i use the aforementioned super blue Discount Super Blue Brake Fluid / ATE TYP 200 / SuperBlue - RaceShopper.com and alternate each flush between the blue and the amber (TYP 200). with speed bleeders, its a one man job. open speed bleeders, and using clear tubing, pump brakes until fluid changes color. tighten speed bleeders. next caliper, repeat. job done. easier than a brake bleed kit. speed bleeders are one way valves that replace your existing valves. so no air can get back into system.

 

I'm leaning toward the ATE Super Blue if I can find it locally. I want to do it this weekend and won't have time to order it.

 

I use Castrol GT LMA as well - in all my vehicles. While not as high temp as ATE (VERY good stuff!), it is much more available and I have never had any issues with it. If you were racing, the last few degrees of boiling temp may be needed. I hope you don't use brakes hard enough to need on the street.
I also change fluids every two years. Not only is it safer, it also prevents corrosion in piston bores.

Lastly, remember that only DOT 5 is silicone and not compatible with others.

DOT 5.1 IS compatible with 3 and 4. Major screw up in the standards numbering, if you ask me.

 

I ended up going with the ATE Super Blue; actually found a local motorcycle shop that carried it.

Took me most of the day on Saturday, but I installed new Skyjacker stainless steel braided brake line (front and rear), new calipers, a new set of ART rotors and Performance Friction pads.

I loved my first set of ART rotors so isn't wasn't hard to decide to go with another set. With mostly all new hardware, the braking is like night and day difference.

 

Hey guys since were talking about brake fluid, does anyone use the Motive Products Power Bleeder? I would like to flush the brake system on both of my trucks just wanted to know if thats what I need to do the job?
Thanks ~Gage~

 

Speaking of bleeders, does anyone know who carries speed bleeders to fit Super Duty calipers? I checked all of the usual auto parts stores next to me (Advance, Auto Zone, Pepboys, Salvo, Federated) and no one had them. A couple of places I stopped at looked at me like I was crazy when I asked them because they had no idea what I was talking about.