[DeTomaso] article on silicone brake fluid

[gow2 at rc-tech.net]

There was a Hot Rod article which summed it up a little better a year or
so back. The guy with the Triumph is missing some important points.

Since DOT5 does not absorb oil, the moisture ins suspension falls out of
suspension. That is not a good thing but a bad thing. Non-silicone fluid
can absorb a couple ounces of water before braking is effected. Braking is
effected when moisture in the caliper evaporated displacing fluid. When
you press on the brakes, water vapor renders brakes useless.

With silicon fluid, while the boiling point is higher, as little as one
drop of water in suspension can settle in the calipers and fail a braking
system. That is the benefit if the absorption of moisture. Since most
brake systems are largely sealed, much o the moisture is traced to
moisture in suspension.

Hill climbers are some of the first performance cars to use Silicone
fluid. They did so because of the high boiling point. They soon learned
that the only way they can use silicone fluid; as is standard for anyone
racing with silicon fluid is to change the fluid before EVERY race.

It is funny they compare the need to replace hygroscopic brake fluid every
2 years which is the norm. Then they reference brake failures from some
one who has never changed their fluid!

Like Hot Rod said, silicon fluid is great for show cars and non
performance cars like underpowered British cars. Ironically this guy
concluded that mountain roads is one place where he would use silicone
fluid when in reality it is the last place you would use it.

G



>
>
> This is the most thorough information I have seen on silicone brake fluid.
>
> http://www.buckeyetriumphs.org/technical/Brakes/Fluid/Fluid.htm
>
> FYI
>
> Jim O
>
>
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