DOT 5 Brake Fluid......
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Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 89
Likes: 7
From: Missouri
The problem you’re having (finding DOT5) plus the high price when you can find it are exactly why I flushed and rebuilt mine to use DOT4. Don’t want to be on the road, need some brake fluid, and no place has it.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 5,149
Likes: 2,975
From: WACO
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,898
From: Bedford UK
As others have said, don't mix different fluids. As some of you already know I have firsthand experience of the consequences. Over time the fluids interact and create a corrosive gloop, which erodes the insides of the master cylinders and calipers. I never had problems with the seals, but it did cost me new master cylinders, calipers and lines.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 2,747
Likes: 419
From: Vermont
Decided to rebuild my front caliper flush the fluid etc etc... Well I didn't have enough DOT 5 brake fluid to complete the job. I had enough to bleed it and everything so but not enough to fill the reservoir. So I went to the local parts store to see if I could find some but AutoZone and Advance Auto parts Don't carry DOT 5 anymore. so, I was wondering what you guys are doing? Are you flushing your systems and replacing with DOT 3 or 4 or are you finding a new place to find DOT 5.....? Definitely curious thanks...
Dot 5 is now gone on new bikes..its sucks.
If you mix it.....not a corrosion problem as dot 5 doesnt mix it just globbes up and you loose brakes. The ones that have corrsion problems....no brake matanance because they thought they could just leave dot 5 alone for years in end..
if someone tells you dot 5 is better......they never truely tested it. Its night and day when done correctly.....never had a customer want to go back to dot 5.......but again dont mix.
oh you can mix dot 4 and 3. If you have used dot 3 ok to top off with dot 4. Blue is now telltale color of 5 but moco used to be yelowish
Last edited by Bumpandrun; Jul 11, 2019 at 10:05 AM.
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 2,747
Likes: 419
From: Vermont
Just checked my advance and surrounding all have it in stock part number W20014.......becareful the bottles have changed...both 5 and 4 are gold and black bottles...mixed up on the idoits shelfs too. Weaver and the date was feb this year...so no shortage that they know of.
Last edited by Bumpandrun; Jul 11, 2019 at 11:28 AM.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 21,116
Likes: 7,638
From: Poolville
Thanks Bump... I believe what you're saying about the pressures. I've never had a solid feel to my front or rear brakes.. It's like you can press and compress and compress and it never gets firm.. Feel like a heavy duty spring that wants to keep going. Maybe this winter I'll switch it all around. I was thinking of getting a new two piston or four piston caliper for the front and rear anyways.. Maybe it's time to flush rebuild and go with that 4...