What would you do? Dot 4 in a Dot 5 system
Thread Starter
|
Supporter
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 1,170
Likes: 32
From: Ft.Worth, Texas
What would you do? Dot 4 in a Dot 5 system
Having not owned my FLHTC very long adn not knowing the complete history, I decided to flush the brake fluid today and discovered that someone had previously used Dot 3 or 4 fluid instead of the recommended Dot. The fluid is clean and the brake work fine at this point. Should I flush the system and switch to Dot 5 or just stay with the Dot 4 fluid?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 157,547
Likes: 57,090
From: Michigan 15 Minutes East Of Hell
Thread Starter
|
Supporter
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 1,170
Likes: 32
From: Ft.Worth, Texas
Well, i thought it was because the fluid was not purple but someone in the other thread told me that the Dot 5 fluid turns to a straw color after a year. Anyway, the fluid flush is done now. New Dot 5 and everything seems fine.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 8,201
Likes: 3,089
From: NW AR
I think in the long run your better off with DoT5. I was having rear brake issues. I would have to pump the brake the first stop. I bought rebuild kits for the MC and caliper, fully expecting them to be junk, as I had not changed the brake fluid, or even opened the top to look at it in 15 or 20 years. Hey, it's hard to get to, OK? When I took the caliper apart, it looked brand new inside with just a few marks from the piston wearing. No corrosion at all. MC was fine. The problem turned out to be a connection in the line. If that had been DoT3, the whole system would have been trashed from that abuse.
Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,959
Likes: 2
From: Florida
I didn't know the difference. Added 4 to my front m\s when I first got the bike 10 years ago. The gas from the master cylinder was leaking out the top and stripping the paint off my master cylinder. After about a year, I wasn't having problems but I thought I'd check the fluid. My whole brake system was filled with green jelly. Flushed the system with denatured alcohol and back to 5. They don't mix weel!
Trending Topics
Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 1,376
Likes: 36
From: Round Rock, TX
Yeah, Color isn't a reliable indicator. If you put some between your thumb and forefinger and put pressure on while trying to rub your fingers together. Dot 5 will feel slick. The others won't.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
6 Weirdest Harley-Davidsons Ever Sold to the Public
Verdad Gallardo
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window
Verdad Gallardo
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 21,139
Likes: 7,653
From: Poolville
In a another thread just posted yesterday i believe i stated the difference. one is silicon base and the other is glycol-based that's why you can't mix 4 & 5. the following link has some good information that all of us could read. Silicon based fluid is better for the seals in the system over the glycol based....
http://www.epicbleedsolutions.com/re...1-brake-fluid/
http://www.epicbleedsolutions.com/re...1-brake-fluid/
Last edited by 98hotrodfatboy; Nov 16, 2015 at 03:03 PM.
