Talk Morgan Forums Thread Like Summary - DOT 5 Brake Fluid - Any Good?

Hello TMers

Just been watching a episode of 'Shed Racing' and Ivan and Suzie have been repairing/replacing the brakes on a 1960s Ferrari. One of the jobs i will be doing very soon is replacing the brake fluid in the MOG. But during the Winter i will strip down the front brakes for a good clean up. In the comments page of the video someone has stated that he uses a DOT 5 brake fluid. As it is a silicone based, it doesn't absorb water. Has anyone in TM world used this? About 5 years ago i read in Practical Classic magazine about this DOT 5 that they recommend using this (I think), alas i have lost the magazine!

Your thoughts and comments are greatly received.

Regards

Hamwich, Deejay, OZ 4/4 and John V6.

Many thanks for your replies. I will stick to DOT4, As i have used in the past. Understand your point about the rear cylinders. I replaced them about 6 years ago and do regularly check them.

Regards

Dave W ……most scary drive of my life was on the M6 back to London . We had visited a friend in Lancashire for some reason went in the Kangoo.
I noticed a bit of an ‘oil’ puddle on our friends drive whilst visiting and after leaving the car started to jump out of gear at about 55/60 mph. Stop and start again and it went for a few miles but jumped out of gear regularly If I kept about 45 it seemed to be OK, no jumping out of gear but the drive down the M6 and M40 in the evening and night at that speed was frightening. Lorries bearing down on us for many hours.
Did think about staying over but now it was after midnight and still very busy Got back home in the early hours in one piece and took it to a gearbox place that had rebuilt a Santa Fe box for me , so I had an idea of the cost !
The gearbox is a sealed for life box but he said let’s change the oil. Cost £20 as a favour and has been fine for the last 3 years - no problem !

Seems to adhere to your theory Dave !
Best MM
PS Going to Dachau concentration camp tomorrow……as a Boomer I feel I must show respect . We intend to visit Ypres area also on the drive back .

I have always resisted the "filled for life" approach, whether this is brake fluid, coolant, gearbox oil or axle oil. "Things" wear. That;s what "Things" do.

Brake fluid comes out dark after two years. Gearbox oil and diff oil comes out dark after a couple of years, even when "they say" it is good "for life".

So my approach has always been to replace such lubricants as I feel necessary, and never regretted that, after seeing what comes out. I also accept the alternative approach to fit and forget, but that's not the way I do it.