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Topic: Brake Fluid Recommendations

in Forum: C3 Handling Components


Brake Fluid Recommendations

Posted: 11/15/22 4:52pm Message 1 of 11
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Toms River, NJ - USA
Joined: 7/28/2004
Posts: 116
Vette(s): 1978 Silver Anniversary Coupe Lt. Biege w/ Dark Brown Int. Happily owned since 1981.

Hi all,

Just installed new calipers ( O ring style) on my baby. What are your recommendations on which "Dot" type fluid should be used. Thanks in advance for your assistance with this.




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Re: Brake Fluid Recommendations

Posted: 11/15/22 7:31pm Message 2 of 11
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Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
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Vette(s): #1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/ Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight" #2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas

DOT 4 is all you need.

If your car is stored for extended periods, or rarely driven, you might want to go with DOT 5, since it is silicon based, and doesn't absorb moisture. The two cannot be mixed, tho, so whatever choice you make, you will need to stick with, unless you want to go thru the hassle of completely flushing the system every time you switch from one to the other. Also, if you want to use DOT 5 now, you will have to completely flush the system of any/all DOT fluid that is still in it. 

DOT 4 is the way to go, in the long run....just don't let the car sit for long periods without driving, or at least pumping the pedal several times a month.




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Re: Brake Fluid Recommendations

Posted: 11/15/22 9:43pm Message 3 of 11
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Overland Park, KS - USA
Joined: 7/9/2003
Posts: 914
Vette(s): 1973 Orange Metallic Coupe (orig owner), L82, 4 spd (WR), PS, (A/C & PW (I installed from wrecked 73)), leather, AM/FM Stereo, ran with '65 FI unit earlier & will again some day. 2023 Accelerate Yellow HTC Stingray

Another DOT 5 advantage besides not being hygroscopic is it won't hurt your paint.  It also has a higher boiling point which is important if the car is tracked.




1973 L-82 4 spd

Re: Brake Fluid Recommendations

Posted: 1/4/23 8:59am Message 4 of 11
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Toms River, NJ - USA
Joined: 7/28/2004
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Vette(s): 1978 Silver Anniversary Coupe Lt. Biege w/ Dark Brown Int. Happily owned since 1981.

What do  all the different DOT's mean🤔.Decided to go with Dot 5 synthetic brake fluid . Head to local store to purchase and discovered there are DOT 3, 4, 5, 5.1 and 4&5 which are all synthetic. Now I am totally baffled on which DOT to choose. 🤦‍♂️The brands were Prestone and Car Quest. Should I stay with the Chevrolet recommended DOT 3 and switch to synthetic DOT 3 or go with Dot 5 since I do not drive it a lot. Thanks for any clarification on this.




Re: Brake Fluid Recommendations

Posted: 1/4/23 1:41pm Message 5 of 11
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Overland Park, KS - USA
Joined: 7/9/2003
Posts: 914
Vette(s): 1973 Orange Metallic Coupe (orig owner), L82, 4 spd (WR), PS, (A/C & PW (I installed from wrecked 73)), leather, AM/FM Stereo, ran with '65 FI unit earlier & will again some day. 2023 Accelerate Yellow HTC Stingray

I think you can find the answer to your question here.

https://blog.amsoil.com/dot-3-and-dot-4-brake-fluid-whats-the-difference/
 



1973 L-82 4 spd

Re: Brake Fluid Recommendations

Posted: 1/4/23 3:37pm Message 6 of 11
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Grapevine, TX - USA
Joined: 8/26/2006
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Vette(s): 1972 LT-1 convertible with factory air. 2017 Black Rose Grand Sport convertible.

Dot 4 or 5.1.  🤷‍♂️



|UPDATED|1/4/2023 3:37:07 PM (AZT)|/UPDATED|



   

Re: Brake Fluid Recommendations

Posted: 1/6/23 6:56am Message 7 of 11
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Toms River, NJ - USA
Joined: 7/28/2004
Posts: 116
Vette(s): 1978 Silver Anniversary Coupe Lt. Biege w/ Dark Brown Int. Happily owned since 1981.

Decide to go with DOT 4 Silicone fluid. Since system needs to be flushed of the DOT 3 fluid is it necessary to change the rubber brake lines or just flushing them is ok?

THanks




Re: Brake Fluid Recommendations

Posted: 1/6/23 7:02am Message 8 of 11
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Toms River, NJ - USA
Joined: 7/28/2004
Posts: 116
Vette(s): 1978 Silver Anniversary Coupe Lt. Biege w/ Dark Brown Int. Happily owned since 1981.

Mistake... Meant to say  decided to go with DOT 5, not 4. Sorry.




Re: Brake Fluid Recommendations

Posted: 1/6/23 9:45am Message 9 of 11
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France
Joined: 8/21/2002
Posts: 134
Vette(s): 1978 L48 Auto. Red with Oyster Leather interior. Owned since 1990.

I'm not a fan of silicone fluid, with new S/S O-Ring callipers, the supposed advantages of silicone somewhat mitigated as they are not so prone to the issues of little use, or rusty bores etc.  But that aside, it may be worth checking that your calliper manufacture doesn't have anything to say about silicone fluid.

I believe that one or two manufactures have disclaimers about using silicone fluids and discourage its use..




Stephen J Irons
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Re: Brake Fluid Recommendations

Posted: 1/6/23 10:38am Message 10 of 11
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CUYAHOGA FALLS, OH - USA
Joined: 12/2/2003
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Vette(s): 1975 C3 Red, T-Tops, Black Interior. All I need is time and money! Getting there!

Please look at my answer to 74 Corvette calipers.




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