In a message dated 8/21/2000 6:25:58 PM Eastern Daylight Time,
owner-triumphs@autox.team.net writes:
> >They also said that to convert to DOT5 they had to use all new "Rubber".
> >What does this mean, all new rebuild kits that have rubber ?
>
> This means replace ALL rubber that comes in contact with the brake fluid.
> I had a lengthy conversation once with the person who wrote the test
> report for a fesibility test on using silicone hydraulic fluid for
> automotive brakes. Brake fluids react with the rubber changing it's
> characteristics. Traditional and silicone brake fluids react with rubber
> in different ways. Rubber seals that have been immersed in traditional
> brake fluids will almost always leak soon after being introduced to
> silicone fluid.
>
> So yes you should clean out the system (flush it with alchohol ideally),
> clean then rebuild all cylinders with new rubber and replace the brake
> flex lines when converting from traditional brake fluid to silicone brake
> fluid.
About seven or eight years ago, in my ignorance, I replaced the brake fluid
in my TR6 with silicon. In my ignorance, all I did was pump the silicon
through untill I saw no more of the old fluid. I didn't do a flush with
alcohol, or anything else, and I didn't replace any of the rubber. To date, I
have had NO problems with the brakes in my car. The brakes work as well as
before, and I have no leaks.
I have read some experts that say you must do as TeriAnn stated, and I have
read experts that say the two fluids are completely compatible, and you can
freely mix the two. Why such difference of opinions on something that should
be so easy to determine, I don't know.
I only toss this info out for what it's worth - absolutely nothing - (and I
charge the same for it <G>). I don't know why I had no problems, and I don't
know if my experience would be typical with the normal brake components used
in a TR6.
I replaced the fluid with silicon when I replaced the MC, after it had leaked
and damaged the paint.
Dan Masters
Triumph TR 250 - TR6 Electrical Maintenance Handbook
http://members.aol.com/danmas6/
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