Dot 4 Brake Fluid [Archive]

bobh41

12-28-2006, 07:54 PM

jdmetzger

12-28-2006, 08:02 PM

I wanted to bleed the brakes on my '74 R90/6 - but all the BMW shops are closed. I went to my local auto parts store and found no Dot 4 fluid, but instead found "DOT 4 DOT 5". One of them was silicone based. Can these be used in place of the German product from "way back when"? Thanks..

You DON'T want to use silicon-based (DOT 5) fluid in your airhead brake system. There is a good chance it's not going to get along with the rubber bits in your brake system, and has a number of other disadvantages regarding moisture in your brake system. Stick with NON-SILICON DOT 3 or DOT 4. I'm running DOT 4 in mine.

dlearl476

12-28-2006, 08:14 PM

My-oh-My, look what a search for "Dot 5 brake fluid" nets:

http://www.bmwmoa.org/forum/search.php?searchid=260569

RiverRat280

12-28-2006, 10:08 PM

DOT 4 or 5.1 but not 5. I belive the Valvoline synth. brake fluid is DOT 4 or higher and I know you can find it at about any auto stores. Difference between 3 and 4 is the boiling point. 4 probally isn't needed but I'd hate to find out on some downhill road where I'm using my brakes allot and heating them up.

bobh41

12-29-2006, 09:49 AM

Thanks folks,
The info is very useful. I'm a newbi to this forum and am very impressed with the quality of input. I'm still looking for DOT 4 in Kansas City area.

28796

12-29-2006, 04:19 PM

Thanks folks,
The info is very useful. I'm a newbi to this forum and am very impressed with the quality of input. I'm still looking for DOT 4 in Kansas City area.

Any Napa should carry it.

PGlaves

12-29-2006, 05:00 PM

Thanks folks,
The info is very useful. I'm a newbi to this forum and am very impressed with the quality of input. I'm still looking for DOT 4 in Kansas City area.
O'Reilly has Wagner DOT 4 in both little and big bottles. And O'Reilly is several places in the KC area. Johnson County side on Neiman just north of Shawnee Mission Parkway for sure - and over on Metcalf at least one place I think. And last time I looked Walmart had it too.

bobh41

12-30-2006, 10:32 PM

Thanks, Paul.

I found it at O'Reilly's yesterday. I put new pads on the front wheel. They rub very slightly. I've adjusted the brake lever for about 1/8-inch free play. Is this normal for new pads?

manicmechanic

12-31-2006, 09:52 AM

The pads on a disc brake should always be in contact with the disc. So, how do you define "rub?" There should be just a minimum drag. If the pads are slowing the wheel significantly, then there is a problem. It's one of those "experience" things.

PGlaves

12-31-2006, 10:19 AM

Thanks, Paul.

I found it at O'Reilly's yesterday. I put new pads on the front wheel. They rub very slightly. I've adjusted the brake lever for about 1/8-inch free play. Is this normal for new pads?
Slight rubbing is normal.

I assume you have the ATE horse shoe caliper(s).

They do require alignment. The pivot pin up from the bottom is a cam with a slot for a big screwdriver in the bottom. Use a magic marker to mark a line from the center straight out on the disk. Rotate the cam until the pad scrubs all the line off the disk. Repeat, repeat, until it is just right. Otherwise the pads are not flat against the disk.