silicone brake fluid
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New User
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 11
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From: Saskatoon Sask.
silicone brake fluid
I read in a car restoration book that silicone brake fluid is best for vehicles of long term storage or infrequent use. Apparently it doesn't absorb moisture like standard brake fluid. The fluid is Dot 5 rated. Anybody have experience with it?
Postmaster
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 2,813
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From: Connecticut
Military vehicles have had silicone fluid in them now for 15+ years. They are subject to long term sitting outside. You really need to flush the whole system when you change over. And label it as such, so no one adds reg DOT 3 fluid to it. I had it in a Military Jeep ( Ford M-151-A2 ) and it worked great!
Barry
Barry
Senior User
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 285
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The best part is if you spill it on your nice paint job, it won't hurt the paint!
It costs more than regular brake fluid but well worth it!
I had trouble finding it at the local auto parts supply houses, then found out that most motorcycle shops or dealers stock it, so if you have trouble finding it, that's where to look!
It costs more than regular brake fluid but well worth it!
I had trouble finding it at the local auto parts supply houses, then found out that most motorcycle shops or dealers stock it, so if you have trouble finding it, that's where to look!
Posting Guru
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 2,070
Likes: 2
From: Boise, Idaho
It seems that if you use this silicon brake fluid in your older vehicle, you'll experience brake cylinder failure. I've been through this so I can verify that it is true.
The remedy is to rebuild your brake cylinders with new, silicon brake fluid compatible seals. I rebuilt the master cylinder and one of the wheel cylinders on my MGB. The wheel cylinder was the one I bled when the master cylinder was rebuilt and needed to have the rest of the system bled.
The remedy is to rebuild your brake cylinders with new, silicon brake fluid compatible seals. I rebuilt the master cylinder and one of the wheel cylinders on my MGB. The wheel cylinder was the one I bled when the master cylinder was rebuilt and needed to have the rest of the system bled.
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 8,813
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From: Littleton, New Hampshire
Living in the upper Northeast where your speciality car or truck sits in the garage for about six months of the year, I've found silicone brake fluid a great improvement over regular fluid. I didn't have any brake failures with the silicone like Paul did. I had to rebuild my wheel cylinders on my 65 Mustang almost annually when even using Dot 5, but after I switched to silicone, I had no further problems. I plan to use silicone fluid on my 48 Ford F-3 when I get to building the brakes. Silicone fluid has a higher viscosity than regular fluid and you might notice that the brake pedal returns a bit slower, but you will find no rust in the system even after years. Just be sure that you get every bit of the old fluid out of the system when you convert it over. When I converted my Mustang I removed and disassembled all the brake cylinders and master cylinder and cleaned them with brake cleaner and blew out all the lines with compressed air. 
Last edited by GreatNorthWoods; Dec 14, 2003 at 06:43 AM.
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 999
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From: Willamette Valley Oregon
<cr>
This is a link to the Vintage Triumph Register web site. It should answer your questions about brake fluids.
This is a link to the Vintage Triumph Register web site. It should answer your questions about brake fluids.
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 6,328
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From: Iowa
I'd heed Paul's advice unless you know for sure your brake rubber is compatible. I've seen guys at work "borrow" a little military spec silicone brake fluid. On at least one occasion, I have seen complete destruction of every rubber component in the entire system. The master cylinder lid gasket was swollen to about double it's normal size, every wheel cyinder trashed. Master cylinder shot etc. BTW, the victim was an early 70s Chevy truck.
See what happens when you steal.
See what happens when you steal.
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 1,072
Likes: 25
From: San Mateo, CA
I went to silicone brake fluid in my 56 F-250 when I replaced the master cylinder as part of a power brake conversion. Put in stainless lines also. It never gave me any trouble.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 6,328
Likes: 124
From: Iowa
I suspect a stock brake system will be fine. Silicone fluid is a very old technology. Rodders with modern brake components, and even stock trucks with newer aftermarket parts is where the question comes in. I couldn't find any specifics in the 53 shop manual. Bleeding and flushing out your system every few years will prevent storage related problems too.
Where there types other than silicone in existence back in the 40's-50's?
Where there types other than silicone in existence back in the 40's-50's?
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 8,813
Likes: 13
From: Littleton, New Hampshire
Although it's been around for many years, I didn't use silicone fluid until 96. I think there may have been improvements in it over time. Although NAPA carries it, I got my at my "Gunk" brand fluid from my local VIP store because it was about half the price NAPA wanted for it. 
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 111
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From: Illinois
Another possible solution for your brake problem is a company called "Brake Cylinder Solutions." They sleeve the master and wheel cylinders with brass. Has anyone out there used their service and if so what's your opinion? To get their web page go to Google and type in their name.