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Brake fluid queries....

Discussion in 'Tyres Wheels and Brakes' started by Jake89, Nov 8, 2014.

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  1. Jake89

    Jake89 Active Member Premium Member Contributing Member

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    On my front brake it says to use only DOT3 fluid and on the rear brake it says DOT 3 or 4. Doesn't DOT 4 just have a higher boiling point? So it should be fine to use DOT 4 or should I stick to using DOT 3 as recommended?
     
    Jake89, Nov 8, 2014
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  2. Murdo

    Murdo The Good Doctor Staff Member Contributing Member Ride and Events Crew

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    DOT 4 should cover both.
     
    Murdo, Nov 8, 2014
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  3. Jake89

    Jake89 Active Member Premium Member Contributing Member

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    Thought that would be the case but thought I would double check before I ruin the brakes.
     
    Jake89, Nov 8, 2014
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  4. GreyImport

    GreyImport Administrator Staff Member The Chief Contributing Member

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    GreyImport, Nov 8, 2014
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  5. Jake89

    Jake89 Active Member Premium Member Contributing Member

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    Yeah that's why I'm thinking the rear brake has been replaced at some point. The DOT 4 I use for my mountain bike is blue from what I remember. Do you degas the fluid before using it? I'm used to drawing the fluid into a syringe, blocking the end and then drawing it back more to create a vacume and pull all the gas out. The brakes end up so much firmer.
     
    Jake89, Nov 8, 2014
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  6. risky

    risky risky

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    can get dot 5.1 now. have it in my 750 honda but the feel is no different to dot 4.
     
    risky, Nov 8, 2014
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  7. GreyImport

    GreyImport Administrator Staff Member The Chief Contributing Member

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    Just don't use Dot 5 unless its from scratch ..... its a silicone based fluid ..... cant be mixed with the others.
     
    GreyImport, Nov 8, 2014
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  8. Jake89

    Jake89 Active Member Premium Member Contributing Member

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    I was under the impression that if the brake system wasn't designed to use dot 5 then it would ruin the seals .
     
    Jake89, Nov 8, 2014
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  9. GreyImport

    GreyImport Administrator Staff Member The Chief Contributing Member

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    I have some that I got many years ago for the Bonneville rear brakes ..... it was when it first come out from memory but I cant remember any of the dos and donts ..... apart from using it only after all traces of other fluid is gone.
    Sadly its still sitting on the shelf unopened

    Plenty of info on Google no doubt ..... I think it was originally invented for military vehicles ?
     
    GreyImport, Nov 8, 2014
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  10. Jake89

    Jake89 Active Member Premium Member Contributing Member

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    M
    might ask about the military vehicle thing at work on Monday.
     
    • Like Like x 1
    Jake89, Nov 8, 2014
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  11. risky

    risky risky

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    i flushed my brake lines and master cylinder with metho and had both calipers disassembled and put new seals in.as my system was clean should have no problems. but as i said i cannot feel any difference. will flush the rear brake system and do the same. hopefully will never? need to do again.
     
    risky, Nov 8, 2014
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  12. risky

    risky risky

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    dot 5 is silicone, dot 5.1 is not so is compatable with dot 4 except has a higher boiling point.
     
    risky, Nov 8, 2014
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  13. Jake89

    Jake89 Active Member Premium Member Contributing Member

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    I would just stick to using one type anyway. Kinda defeats the purpose of using dot 4 if there is still dot 3 in there.
     
    Jake89, Nov 9, 2014
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  14. risky

    risky risky

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    doubt if you could buy dot 3 now.
     
    risky, Nov 9, 2014
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  15. RosscoM

    RosscoM Active Member Premium Member

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    you can use DOT 4 brake fluid where DOT 3 is recommended, just don't go the other way...
    Brake Fluid is hygroscopic, it absorbs moisture from the air, always use from a sealed bottle, and change it every 2 years...
     
    RosscoM, Nov 10, 2014
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  16. Jake89

    Jake89 Active Member Premium Member Contributing Member

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    Well seeing as the bike has been sitting for quite a while I'll change it anyway just to be on the safe side.
     
    Jake89, Nov 10, 2014
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  17. Phil

    Phil Senior Member Contributing Member

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    Wise decision, you won't regret it.
     
    Phil, Nov 10, 2014
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  18. Jake89

    Jake89 Active Member Premium Member Contributing Member

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    Any idea what size hose I need to fit the bleed nipple on a zxr250?
     
    Jake89, Nov 10, 2014
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  19. RosscoM

    RosscoM Active Member Premium Member

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    most nipples use a 1/4 inch ID hose...
     
    RosscoM, Nov 10, 2014
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  20. Moo

    Moo Plodge Racing!!!

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    Run dot 4, sintered pads and braided lines and you will have a very firm and grabby front brake......
     
    Moo, Nov 10, 2014
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