Technical brake fluid issue

i am plumbing my ch***is brake lines,on my 32 ply all new disc brakes all around.i have always used dot 5 on custom motorcycles,is dot 5 good to go on my hot rod. opinions?

 

You might get some pretty heated opinions on this. All I'll say is that I've used it in all my "speciality" vehicles (cars & bikes) for 30 odd years and never had an issue. Love that it's non hydroscopic and doesn't damage paint.

 

i appreiciate the input,i really prefer to use dot 5,the choppers i built got pretty heated brakes with no issues. thanks

 

I vote Yes on dot 5 brake fluid. I've used it in two hot rods and a front engine dragster without issue. To me it seems like a no-brainer if you're plumbing from scratch. You don't have to worry about contamination or mixing with other types of brake fluid.

Lynn

 

Just wait till you're done painting, before you put it in the car. It's a ***** to remove silicone, when prepping for paint!

 

I use DOT 3 in all my stuff other than the dailies; they are new and get whatever the factory says to use. I have a hydraulic clutch in the roadster, and you cannot use DOT-5 in that so why carry 2 different types of fluid and chance using the wrong fluid when topping off a M/C? I used DOT-3 in the pickup that I built from scratch as well. Of course, the muscle cars and the dune buggy get the same. I only need one bottle in the cupboard. Works for me.

And DOT-3 does not remove paint...If you build and flare your lines correctly.

We almost made it to the end of 2025 without asking this one. So close. Oh well, thems the "brakes"!

 

NAPA has a Dot 3-4 Synthetic that we started to put in the cars at the collection I work at.

 

I prefer dot 4, any moisture is absorbed by the fluid, dot 5 the moisture pools together and can create a rust area where it pools.

Dot 5 has more compression ability than dot 4. There's a reason dot 5 isn't used in new vehicles or motor cycles anymore or in hydraulic clutches.

Dot 4 is easy to find anywhere. Again as stated above don't have to carry 2 separate brake fluids if you run a hydraulic clutch.

Dot 4 is easily washed away with water should you get it on anything.

Dot 5 isn't as popular as it once was, and I see they have come out with 5.1 that isn't compatible with 5. But going back to dot 4 compatibility.

I expect 10 yrs from now dot 5 will be an orphan.

..