<GEEZR> DOT 5 horror stories

[Pat Donahue <pdonahue@xxxxxxxxx>]

Yeah, this isn't going to be about BMWs; better page down now.  I tried
using DOT 5 in my MGB (a '72) when I was going to be spending some time
on the track with it.  I went ahead and ran it full time.  The pedal
feel was softer because the slightly thicker silicone fluid actually
holds tiny bubbles (good name for a song!) in suspension and they will
compress.

Other than that, the fluid didn't seem to be giving me any problems
until one day after stopping fairly hard I noticed that I couldn't
move.  I managed to drop the clutch on a large handful of revs and get
moving enough to get off onto the shoulder of the road.  Once there it
was obvious (reduced traction) that my front wheels were _locked_
solid.  I pulled out a handy little wrench and cracked the line where it
went into the master cylinder.  I got a burst of silicone brake fluid
(won't hurt the paint!) and viola! it had released my front wheels.

I continued to drive it for a while without further incident and then it
happened again; twice.  No more silicone in my cars.  For those who
still want to use it let me know as I've got several full, unopened
souvenirs sitting on my shelf.
- -- 
Pat Donahue  CCA 125031
Vienna, VA
'91 M5 4GTFUL
'72 MGB 8LYFGR&

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