Re:Silicone brake fluid

["John Basel" <basel@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

In V7 #49 Graham Hilder asks about Silicone brake fluid (SBF).  I'm 
sure that his topic has been been beat to death previously, but I 
found some interesting information on long term experience with SBF 
that I'd like to pass on.  Its in a letter on pg 34 of the Aug 98 
issue of Skinned Knuckles magazine.

On one conversion master cylinders were found to "lock up".  To 
determine what was goin on, seals from various manufacturers were 
soaked in SBF to check for excessive swelling.  Most were found to 
have little/no swelling, but one older type had excessive swelling.  
So, it would be prudent to measure/soak/measure all seals before 
assembly.

A second car was converted to SBF, when new cylinders were installed 
15 years ago.  A recent inspection revealed all wheel cylinders in 
"like new" condition. Presumably, this system was very well drained of 
old fluid.

A third car was converted to SBF, using the flushing method (i.e. it 
was given a normal flush, without completely emptying the system.)  
The time of conversion was "many years ago".  A recent overhaul 
revealed wheel and master cylinders that were "all rusty and leaking 
and had to be replaced."

I have been thinking of using it in my Duetto restoration.  It should 
be very easy, since ALL of the brake components are off of the car. 

BTW, what does silicone BASED mean.  Is it a mixture of normal and 
silicone?

John Basel
67 Duetto 

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