> I'm curious to know how your brake pedal feels. At the same time
> that I installed larger rotors, calipers, SS Teflon brake hoses, and
> semi-metallic pads, I switched to Redline DOT 5 in both the brake and
> clutch. It was fine at first, but over the years I've noticed the pedal
> has become softer, and I definately noticed my clutch becoming notchy.
> I'm considering replacing the fluid again with DOT 4, because I remember
> the rock-hard, confident pedal I had before the conversion.
A few months back there was an article about silicone brake fluid in
BRITISH CAR magazine. One comment I recall was that silicone fluid is
more compressible than ethylene glycol and may result in increase pedal
travel. But I suppose that if the pedal seemed firm at one time this
isn't the problem in your case.
While I'm not an enthusiastic advocate of silicone brake fluid, in your
case I don't think I would switch to DOT4. While DOT3/4 and DOT5 are
supposedly compatible they don't mix with each other. Having fluids in
your brake and clutch systems that separate doesn't seem like a good
idea to me. I wouldn't switch fluids unless you were prepared to
completely disassemble everything, including the lines, and remove all
traces of the old fluid.
Apparently it is more difficult to remove air from Silicone fluid
so inadequate bleeding might be the cause of your soft brake pedal.
When I redid my brakes I started with a completely dry system. It
took a good year of driving/bleeding before the pedal firmed up.
The vibrations from driving dislodged trapped bubbles which I removed
by bleeding. It took 5 or 6 of these cycles before the pedal become
good and firm. And this was with DOT4 fluid.
Or perhaps air is getting in from some other source. I'd really check
things before going to the trouble of switching.
Roland
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