Brakes
Author
Discussion

kenprotheroe

Original Poster:

112 posts

257 months

Thursday 27th October 2005
quotequote all
Any idea why silicon brake fluid is a no - no

for "AP" brakes ?

m12_nathan

5,138 posts

288 months

Friday 28th October 2005
quotequote all
Both DOT 3-4 and DOT 5 fluids are compatible with most brake system materials except in the case of some silicone rubber external components such as caliper piston boots, which are attacked by silicon fluids and greases.

There is also a problem with mixing Dot3-4 and Dot5 fluids making it very difficult to switch over properly.

A high quality dot4 fluid such as Castrol SRF has a higher boiling point than silicone fluids and can be used without problems, as can a 5.1 fluid such as one of AP's own 5.1 track fluids. No problem in micing 5.1 and 4 either as neither are silicon based.

Castrol SRF is probably the best fluid you can get and I used it in mine along with the vegantune brake cooling mod. It never boiled but is expensive at about £35 a litre.

DanH

12,287 posts

289 months

Friday 28th October 2005
quotequote all

I thought SRF was silicon based?

I've just had it put in my RS. It does at least mix ok with whatever you had previously.

www.castrol.com/castrol/productdetailmin.do?categoryId=8290039&contentId=6007734

www.castrol.com/castrol/productdetailmin.do?categoryId=82915521&contentId=7001576

m12_nathan

5,138 posts

288 months

Friday 28th October 2005
quotequote all
It is DOT4 rated so is just like normal brake fluid, along with 5.1. DOT5 is silicon and cannot be mixed?

SRF "exceeds DOT5 temp requirements" but the bottle definately says DOT4. Maybe by messing around with silicon they've changed it chemically so it can be mixed?

http://members.rennlist.com/911pcars/

www.350evo.com/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/22/products_id/55

I'm using AP600 at the moment, seems ok.

Al D

159 posts

301 months

Friday 28th October 2005
quotequote all
Which fluid does the factory use?

LaurenceFrost

691 posts

281 months

Friday 28th October 2005
quotequote all
Read here:
www.stoptech.com/tech_info/wp_brakefluid_1a.shtml

That should tell you what you need to know.

So much wonderful information there.

v6gto

11,579 posts

271 months

Friday 28th October 2005
quotequote all
Al D said:
Which fluid does the factory use?


Comma 5.1

Martin.