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MG MG Y Type - silicon brake fluid

Was interested to read comments about this in the Y section of the latest "Safety Fast". Having considered putting in silicon fluid into my YB decided against after my local garage had shown me Technical Bulletin No 14 issued by AP Lockheed in September 1999. That bulletin warned against use of silicon fluid on the grounds of long/spongy pedal, sudden loss of brakes and hanging on of brakes.
Would be intested to know whether that is now accepted wisdom or whether there have since been developments in silicon fluid which overcome these problems.
Regards,
Geoffrey Wilson
G H Wilson

Not sure what the Y-site Technobods opinion is of silicon, but if your brakes are properly adjusted up ever 500 miles or so, and the shoes and drums are in good (unscored) condition, I have always found DOT4 to be perfectly adequate over the hastle of flushing through the the entire system and cleaning all the seals off, refitting them, and then buying expensive DOT5 silicon.

But then I also think that Cross(or Bias as they are called here in the US)ply tyres (tires :-) ) are also more than adequate if you drive sensibly and anticipate for other road users - which as any Advance Motorist will confirm - is the way you should drive and is neither Offensive or Defensive driving.

Just my personal opinion.

Paul
Paul Barrow

There has been thread after thread on the TD/TF BBS and on the T-ABC list about the pros and cons of Silicon fluid. My impression is that those who use it like it and don't have any problems with it. I have used it since the late 1980s with no problem.

I live in a climate with high humidity particularly in winter. Since the car is for the most part in winter storage I always had to refurbish the brakes every spring to get the car operational again. Silicone does not absorb moisture so the happy result is that in the spring the brake system is not siezed. That is a big advantage and otherwise I notice no difference in brake operation.

About 10 years ago Abingdon Spares offered cast iron brake drums for the Y and I got a set. The difference between the cast iron drums and the original steel versions is amazing; it is almost as though you have power brakes. Don't know if they are still available some where. Pehaps Ray Skewes in OZ? Terry
Terry O'Brien


Geoffrey,
I have to agree with Terry on this. I completely renewed all brake parts when I rebuilt my car back in 1990 and at that time filled up with silicon brake fluid. No problems whatsoever since that time.
Jack
Jack Murray

To endorse Jack and Terry, I have used silicone fluid since a full brake rebuild as part of the car's renaissance, and it's been completely satisfactory.

I did have seal problems early on, and traced this to old seals (supplied from where, I'm not saying!) Once they were replaced with new, modern rubber of the right size, that was the end of the problem. I check each wheel cylinder each year as part of the spring check up, and ten years after returning the car to the road all is in the same condition as when I started. (Stainless steel inserts in the wheel cylinders have helped there too, I'm sure).

Incidentally, I understand that silicone fluid is slightly more compressible than conventional glycol-based fluids: it is sometimes criticised for making brakes feel spongy. For me this has given the brakes rather more "feel" than they used to have, which is a benefit.
Tim Griggs

Thanks very much for all the helpful comments which put it all in perspective. Having now got ordinary brake fluid and proposing to use the YB regularly I think I'll stay with that pro tem but its useful to know silicon is used with good results by a good number.
Regards
Geoffrey Wilson
G H Wilson

Geoffrey

Reading the threads on use of silicone brake fluid in the various BBSs on this site one thing has become apparent to me. Those who like silicone have totally cleaned, and replaced ALL rubber components, in the brake systems before using it. Many of those with bad experiences have cleaned the system but not replaced the rubber components.

FWIW

Larry
49 YT
Larry Hallanger

This thread was discussed between 19/05/2007 and 22/05/2007

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