DodgeCharger.com Forum

Mopar Garage => Chassis, Suspension, Brakes, Wheels, & Tires => Topic started by: flyinlow on September 17, 2018, 10:34:51 AM

Title: Brake fluid
Post by: flyinlow on September 17, 2018, 10:34:51 AM
Does anyone regularly flush there brake fluid?
Title: Re: Brake fluid
Post by: green69rt on September 17, 2018, 11:13:51 AM
Yes, all my cars get a brake flush.   This is one item I usually let a garage do because they have a pressure can that blows fluid thru the system quick.  Otherwise you have to add, then bleed, add, bleed till you think you are done.  And to do a good bleed, it takes two people if done manually.

As for interval, whatever is recommended or when I see dirty fluid or about 100,000.  Can't remember interval.

I think brake fluid tends to attract water so you need to change it at some interval to keep it working right and to keep corrosion out of the system.
Title: Re: Brake fluid
Post by: JR on September 17, 2018, 07:58:16 PM
Yes, I do it once a year in my Charger.

Title: Re: Brake fluid
Post by: Charger RT on September 17, 2018, 08:17:49 PM
no never
Title: Re: Brake fluid
Post by: 440 on September 17, 2018, 10:21:15 PM
Brake fluid is hygroscopic so it naturally absorbs water over time.

2 years is usually the recommended interval for replacing fluid.

The only exception is dot 5 which is silicone based.
Title: Re: Brake fluid
Post by: Bronzedodge on September 19, 2018, 12:05:46 AM
Yes, I do mine every 2 years.  I motice it does feel different, better after I do it.
Title: Re: Brake fluid
Post by: flyinlow on September 20, 2018, 11:34:26 AM
Probably should add this to this winters maintenance list. Its been a few years.
Title: Re: Brake fluid
Post by: b5blue on September 21, 2018, 08:45:20 AM
Agree, 2 years and I'm due now. I bought the thing that pumps fluid through the master so it will be easy.
Title: Re: Brake fluid
Post by: alfaitalia on September 21, 2018, 12:45:44 PM
Every two years...which is the recommended interval on most cars if you don't want to lower the boiling point of the fluid (due to the water getting into it as said above) or have corrosion in your brake system (for the same reason!). My track bikes now run silicone brake brake fluid ( dot 5.1 ) ...never needs changing as it's not hydroscopic, provides far superior lubrication and works at much higher temps than dot 3 or 4. If your are tempted to use it, it's very important that you use dot 5.1 and NOT dot 5. DOT 5 will react unfavourably with any traces 3 and 4 left in the system whereas 5.1 won't.
Title: Re: Brake fluid
Post by: flyinlow on September 21, 2018, 04:18:50 PM
Quote from: alfaitalia on September 21, 2018, 12:45:44 PM
Every two years...which is the recommended interval on most cars if you don't want to lower the boiling point of the fluid (due to the water getting into it as said above) or have corrosion in your brake system (for the same reason!). My track bikes now run silicone brake brake fluid ( dot 5.1 ) ...never needs changing as it's not hydroscopic, provides far superior lubrication and works at much higher temps than dot 3 or 4. If your are tempted to use it, it's very important that you use dot 5.1 and NOT dot 5. DOT 5 will react unfavourably with any traces 3 and 4 left in the system whereas 5.1 won't.


I thought about Dot 5 (use Valvoline synthetic 3, 4 now) I thought the drawback to Dot 5 was lower lubrication causing increased seal wear. Dot 5.1 fixed this? Guess I need to do some homework.
Title: Re: Brake fluid
Post by: 440 on September 21, 2018, 11:09:13 PM
Dot 5 is silicone based and not compatible with other brake fluids.

Dot 5.1 is still glycol based and compatible with all Dot 3 and 4 brake fluid and retains similar specs to Dot 5. Dot 5.1 is still hydroscopic so it absorbs water and still needs replacing every few years.
Title: Re: Brake fluid
Post by: alfaitalia on September 22, 2018, 09:23:27 AM
Quote from: 440 on September 21, 2018, 11:09:13 PM
Dot 5 is silicone based and not compatible with other brake fluids.

Dot 5.1 is still glycol based and compatible with all Dot 3 and 4 brake fluid and retains similar specs to Dot 5. Dot 5.1 is still hydroscopic so it absorbs water and still needs replacing every few years.

Correct....my mistake. That's what posting at work does!!