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Reply to "Brake Upgrade"

I would add to only use Dot 4 or Dot 5.1 glycol base brake fluid in your car.

The experience I had with silicon based fluid was at high altitude, I had no brakes.!! I didn't know it at the time but my car was being built and the guy used silicon brake fluid because it wouldn't eat the paint if it was somehow spilled on painted parts. This is very true !! However, I learned that the brakes will not work when you are at high altitudes. I was going over Donner Summit in California in my 32 roadster on my first cross country drive when I discovered I had no brakes coming down the grade toward Reno, NV. I used my transmission to slow me down as the pedal went right to the floor. I got to a level area and stopped using the emergency brake. One of the guys who was traveling along with me pulled over to see what was the matter. I told him I had no brakes coming down the grade. He suspected I had silicon brake fluid in my system. We pulled the carpet and got to the brake fluid reservoir. He removed the cap and put his finger in and then took a taste of the fluid and said, Yup silicon !! He said you will get a pedal as you get to a lower altitude, just keep checking your brakes. I drove to Reno and found a place that would bleed my brakes. I used alcohol to clean the system and added a fresh batch of Dot4 glycol brake fluid. Never had another problem but learned a lesson about silicon fluid and high altitude.

Last edited by Butcher Boy
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