[DeTomaso] Brake Fluid

[Garth Rodericks]

I just flushed the brake fluid on my BMW this weekend and have two products that get a 
resounding "Team Pantera Slacker" ("slacker" because I haven't done an ORR, yet) seal of 
approval two Thumbs-Up recommendation:
 
1. Gunson Eezibleed for Brakes & Clutches
Works by pressurizing a bottle filled with fresh brake fluid from air in the front tire.  I deflated
a front tire to 20 psi, filled the bottle, attached it to the top of the reservoir, and then 
connected it to the tire. Then, I went to each wheel and opened the bleed valve until the new
fluid was flowing through the hose into my catch jar.
 
I purchased the Eezi-Bleed from Eastwood a year ago to flush the brake fluid in the 
Pantera (it comes with a Girling compatible cap), but I haven't gotten around to that project 
yet so I haven't tried the cap on the Pantera master cylinder. Anyway, Eastwood no longer 
lists it on their website, but here's another source (for almost half of what Eastwood charged!):
http://www.partsforsaabs.com/product_info.php?cPath=141&products_id=1928
 
Or, if you have some time on your hands, you can build your own Eezi-Bleeder pretty 
inexpensively with a Nalgene bottle from your local sporting goods store (REI, Big5, etc), 
some metal valve stems from your local tire shop, and some plastic hose and tubing. But, 
it's probably not worth the effort when you can buy the system with an assortment of 
caps for only $25.
 
SOBill made his own variation on the system using a bicycle pump:
http://www.members.aol.com/sobill/Bleeder_Setup.jpg
http://www.members.aol.com/sobill/Bleeder_Components.jpg
 
2. ATE Super Blue Racing Brake Fluid
One of the best values I could find for a high-performance brake fluid (536/392 dry/wet 
boiling point), and only $12 for 33.8 oz. And, the Blue color makes it extremely easy to see
when all the old fluid is flushed from your system. The same forumula also comes in Amber 
to make it easy to see when all the fluid is flushed from your brake system by alternating 
colors at each fluid flush.
Blue: http://www.tirerack.com/brakes/ate/ate_superblue_fluid.jsp
Amber: http://www.tirerack.com/brakes/ate/ate_type200_amber.jsp
 
 
Here are some of the other fluids I looked at:
 
  Brake Fluid    Dry Boiling Point   Wet Boiling Point     Price
  AP SUPER 600         590°F               410°F        $18.00/16.9oz
  CASTROL SRF          590°F               518°F        $69.99/33.8oz
  NEO SUPER DOT 610    610°F               421°F        $15.00/12oz
  MOTUL RACING 600     593°F               420°F        $15.00/16.9oz
  MOTUL DOT 5.1        509°F               365°F        $6.50/16.9oz
**ATE SUPER BLUE       536°F               392°F        $11.99/33.8oz**
  VALVOLINE SYNPOWER   503°F               343°F        $4.97/16.9oz
  ATE SL               500°F               329°F        $7.95/16.9oz
  CASTROL LMA          450°F               311°F        $3.50/16.9oz
  AP 551               528°F               288°F        $12.50/16.9oz
 *Ford C6AZ-19542-AA   550°F               290°F        $6.95/12oz*
 
 
* Ford Heavy Duty DOT 3 is very inexpensive and is popular among 
racers because of its excellent dry boiling point. Considered by 
many to be the best-kept secret in brake fluids.  IT DOES ABSORB 
MOISTURE QUICKLY THOUGH.  Recommended by Baer and Alcon. According 
to  Hot Rods and Horsepower: "Ford Motor Company purchases 
[Castrol SRF] by the barrel, repackages it, and sells it as Ford 
Heavy Duty fluid to owners of heavy-duty trucks. Anyone may buy it 
from a Ford dealer under part number C6AZ-19542-AA."  Although 
this rumor is often repeated on the 'Net, given the different 
specs between the two fluids, this assertion seems questionable 
at best.
 
** ATE Super Blue DOT 4 is even LESS expensive per ounce than the 
Ford Heavy Duty brake fluid and ABSORBS MOISTURE SLOWLY! And 
that’s why I chose it.