Posted by Brian A. on July 07, 2000 at 12:28:31:
In Reply to: Silicone DOT5 brake fluid benefits? posted by Rob Steller on July 06, 2000 at 11:06:33:
I purchased a surplus 2 1/2 ton seven years ago which had its air/hyd. cylinder removed, leaving the brake lines open to the air for over a year. After purchase, I replaced the cylinder, bled the air out of the system (did not flush all old fluid) and drove it with no problems for three years before I sold it. The guy who purchased it from me used it to install boat docks by driving out into small lakes dragging the docks behind him. (I had to rescue him one time after he stalled it and could not get it restarted with water splashing over the hood.) Anyway, it is still going with the same fluid today, nearly 30,000 miles later. One word of warning, DOT 5 is not necessarily compatable with some older seals. I have been told that all recently manufactured brake parts are compatable with DOT 5, but I am not an engineer.