Brake Fluid Selection

I've finally finished running the brake lines and would like to know what type of brake fluid to use.  I'm using Matco brake cylinders and matco disk brakes.

I like the idea of non-hydroscopic.. Is that what they mean by DOT 5?

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Comment by Bob Pustell on February 4, 2013 at 10:06pm

Good decision, Dan. 5606 is great stuff, works well and is (even by normal petrochemical standards, let alone aircraft component standards) reasonably priced. And on top of that, it is what the manufacturer of your brake components says to use. Win win, all the way.

Comment by Dan Dempsey on February 3, 2013 at 9:04am

Thanks for all the feed back folks.  I'm going with the 5056 (Airoshell 41) from Aircraft Spruce.

Comment by Pat Kelly on February 3, 2013 at 6:25am

heres a little brake fluid info http://www.afcoracing.com/tech_pages/fluid.shtml

Comment by RANDY L HALLOCK on February 3, 2013 at 12:59am

The Dot 5 has no water in so it can't freeze, you can get it at some auto stores, but like David posted, don't get Dot 5.1

Comment by Jonathan Porter on February 2, 2013 at 6:09pm

We use red ATF (Automatic Transmission Fluid) from a 'recognised brand' it has worked fine for us - and we are hard on the brakes... (we cant get other fluids here, we get creative!) http://www.medicineonthemove.org/ 

Comment by David Gallagher on February 2, 2013 at 6:07pm

Dan,

My matco instructions said to use 5606.  I just reviewed their website and under general technical information on their brakes saw a caution that DOT 5.1 fluid was not compatible with their Buna-N O-rings. Make sure to follow their recommendations.

 

Dave

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