I can attest to BOTH sides of the controversy. We started using silicone
fluid in Barbara's SNOBMOG about 20 years ago. When we disassembled the
brakes for our current (first) restoration, we could see no signs of wear in
either rubber or cylinders. We will put silicone fluid back in when we are
ready for the road again (later this year).
On the other hand, trying to convert our 330 Ferrari to silicone was a
disaster. The seal swelling Greg mentioned caused the rear wheel half of
the dual master cylinder (Which has a strange type of connection to the
front wheel half) to stick in the cylinder when the brakes were released
with the resultant loss of rear wheel braking. On the front wheels, the
newly rebuilt (and sleeved by White Post) front calipers leaked. That could
have been from seal sweel or the fact that they had been sleeved with brass.
I have since heard that, because the silicone is more prevasive than glycol,
it is difficult to seal brass sleeved cylinders.
You pays your dime and takes your choice.
Gerry
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Stephen.Stierman@huntington.com
> [SMTP:Stephen.Stierman@huntington.com]
> Sent: Monday, February 08, 1999 6:56 AM
> To: morgans@autox.team.net
> Subject: silicone brake fluid
>
>
>
> Silicone brake fluid seems to be one of those items that seems to evoke
> various tales of dire consequences put forth by various experts,
> engineers,
> groupies and fellow travelers. I certainly value Greg's thoughts on the
> subject.
>
> The only thing I can tell people who are interested; is that I first
> started using the stuff about 20 years ago on restored British cars that
> had totally flushed and rebuilt brake systems and have had NO PROBLEMS
> WHATSOEVER. I used it because if it did leak, it would not remove the
> paint from a nicely restored firewall or chassis. My cars are used
> regularly and driven with SOME gusto, although not used in competition. I
> have had a chance to disassemble systems that had had the stuff in them
> for
> years and found no sign of deteriorated rubber seals or cups. I will put
> it in my Mini when it is finished. Do what you like, use it/don't use
> it.
> The stuff does what it is supposed to do under normal use.
> My best,
> Stierman
> 69 Plus 8, R7083
>
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