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Brake Fluid - What do I need

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Craig S Wolfsburg Wizard

635 posts · joined May 2008 ·

#824783
My brake fluid needs topping up. What should I buy?

Thanks 🙂
1969 Beetle - June
1974 L Bug - Gwendolyn
2002 Bora V6 4Motion - Anita

Camo Custom Title Time!

1,936 posts · joined Oct 2007 ·

#824786
mmmm, is that a trick question !!!!!!

Maybe, brake fluid.

Sorry, I couldn't resist.

Kev
I thought rebuilding a VW would be cheap - Shit I was wrong, just don't let the wife know !!!!

Click here for my (slowy) modded 1961 Beetle build.

Craig S Wolfsburg Wizard

635 posts · joined May 2008 ·

#824787
Kev, As always you're a big help 🙅 I think you've been reading too many of Happydaze's responses. 😀

Dot 4, Dot 5 ??

Any brands to steer clear of?
1969 Beetle - June
1974 L Bug - Gwendolyn
2002 Bora V6 4Motion - Anita

Camo Custom Title Time!

1,936 posts · joined Oct 2007 ·

#824788
Sorry bout that.

I use Nulon Xtreme super dot 4.

With that said, Pep Parts sells the same (exactly the same) bottle with their sticker on it and its only about $7-50 for a 500ml bottle.

Kev
I thought rebuilding a VW would be cheap - Shit I was wrong, just don't let the wife know !!!!

Click here for my (slowy) modded 1961 Beetle build.

Craig Torrens 6 times Australian, 7 times State Hillclimb Class Champion

8,040 posts · joined Jan 2003 ·

#824791
When was the last time you did a full brake bleed ?

Brake fluid should be changed every 2 years as a min.


Craig S Wolfsburg Wizard

635 posts · joined May 2008 ·

#824799
Craig Torrens wrote:When was the last time you did a full brake bleed ?

Brake fluid should be changed every 2 years as a min.
I'll be honest Craig I don't know, but I'm just trying to make sure I make it in one piece to V-Force in a couple of weeks for a full brake and suspension upgrade 🙂 🙂 🙂

The good thing is that I'll be going down the M4 in peak hour to get there, which means I'll be going at speeds that I could open the door and put my foot out to stop the car.
1969 Beetle - June
1974 L Bug - Gwendolyn
2002 Bora V6 4Motion - Anita

Craig Torrens 6 times Australian, 7 times State Hillclimb Class Champion

8,040 posts · joined Jan 2003 ·

#824801
Thats ok, it will be changed when Richard does the brakes.


Joel Now containing 100\% E-Wang

9,368 posts · joined Feb 2006 ·

#824865
Craig Torrens wrote:Brake fluid should be changed every 2 years as a min.
Supposed to be but never is.

I know of cars that have 15+ year old fluid in them.
Most times it doesn't get changed unless a hose or cylinder/caliper gets replaced

HappyDaze Superannuated

2,887 posts · joined Jun 2009 ·

#824867
Craig S wrote:Kev, As always you're a big help 🙅 I think you've been reading too many of Happydaze's responses. 😀
Geez, you really know how to hurt a fella.🥲
I'd rather wear a Beetle out by racing it than by polishing it!

vlad01 Compulsive Aussie Vee Dubber

4,270 posts · joined Jun 2010 ·

#824923
Craig S wrote:Kev, As always you're a big help 🙅 I think you've been reading too many of Happydaze's responses. 😀

Dot 4, Dot 5 ??

Any brands to steer clear of?
do not go Dot 5! unless you have a totally completely dry new system as dot 5 is synthetic silicon based oil and all dot 4 and bellow are glycol based.

Therefore NOT! compatible!

just go for any generic Dot 4.

71 notchback,
Past owner of, 70 NB, 73 SB and 72 FB TLE

vlad01 Compulsive Aussie Vee Dubber

4,270 posts · joined Jun 2010 ·

#824926
More info,

dot 4 and bellow are glycol based and are hydroscopic (absorbs water from air) and is the reason fluid should be changed at least every 2 years.
Water content in fluid lowers the point point something shocking an can cause the brakes to boil inside when hot and cause the pedal to hit the floor with no braking action.

Dot 5 being synthetic silicon oil does not do this therefore has long term stability (life of the car?) and high boiling point which remains stable.

71 notchback,
Past owner of, 70 NB, 73 SB and 72 FB TLE