<VV> Silly Kone Notes

Chris & Bill Strickland lechevrier at earthlink.net
Fri May 16 17:38:58 EDT 2008


' 
<http://www.adgagenetics.org/GoatDetail.aspx?RegNumber=A001340829>Automotive 
Chassis',  by Tim Gilles (ISBN:1401856306) has an interesting brake 
fluid section on pg 69.

'Classroom Manual for Automotive Brake Systems', by Lane Eichhorn, Ken 
Layne (ISBN:0766809374) points out that although it is not reccomended, 
FMVSS 116 requires that types DOT3, DOT4, and DOT5 brake fluids be 
compatibile with each other in a system.  Note that this does not say 
they must blend into a homogeneous mixture if they are of different 
types. Same types *are* required to blend.  Both the US Military and the 
US Post Office are now using silicone brake fluid, anticipating large 
savings on maintainence costs.

MIL-PRF-46176B, dated10 January 2001, PERFORMANCE SPECIFICATION. BRAKE 
FLUID, SILICONE, AUTOMOTIVE, ALL-WEATHER, OPERATIONAL AND PRESERVATIVE, 
states that DOT5 "can" be mixed with DOT3 or DOT4, but not that it 
"should" be:

"6.5 Interchangeability. Brake fluid covered by this specification can 
be used in the same equipment and systems as the brake fluids covered by 
VV-B-680. However, all VV-B-680 [DOT3 or DOT4 fluids] or other 
non-silicone fluid should be removed and flushed from the brake system 
before using MIL-PRF-46176 fluid."

Citroen, Rolls Royce, and Audi (in select applications) use Hydraulic 
System Mineral Oil (HMSO) for brake fluid -- however, special seals are 
required for mineral oil systems as the stuff destroys conventional 
brake system rubber.  Ask any mechanic that has found a conventional 
brake system that has had ATF added to it (not a totally uncommon 
occurance).  Otherwise HSMO has good brake fluid properties, AND is an 
excellent lubricant, so why not more HSMO brake systems?  Must be that 
human engineering thing saying nope, no impovements, status quo, 
everybody is stoopid, and they can't deal with new ideas (then why are 
there new shows on TV all the time?).

Bill Strickland




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