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brake fluid for 57

Started by 57CaddyBiarritz, November 22, 2014, 07:35:39 PM

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57CaddyBiarritz

Does anyone know the correct brake fluid to use for a 1957 Biarritz?

The Tassie Devil(le)

DOT 3 is back-compatible.   Not sure when Silicone started, but don't use that stuff unless you change every rubber piece, and wash out all hoses and fittings.

Bruce. >:D
'72 Eldorado Convertible (LHD)
'70 Ranchero Squire (RHD)
'74 Chris Craft Gull Wing (SH)
'02 VX Series II Holden Commodore SS Sedan
(Past President Modified Chapter)

Past Cars of significance - to me
1935 Ford 3 Window Coupe
1936 Ford 5 Window Coupe
1937 Chevrolet Sports Coupe
1955 Chevrolet Convertible
1959 Ford Fairlane Ranch Wagon
1960 Cadillac CDV
1972 Cadillac Eldorado Coupe

Jon S

This has been discussed before - stick with the DOT 3.  They make a LMA version (Low Moisture Absorption).
Jon

1958 Cadillac Sedan De Ville
1973 Lincoln Continental Coupe
1981 Corvette
2004 Mustang GT

Mike Josephic CLC #3877

It's been discussed many times.

DOT 4 is the best replacement and fully compatible with DOT 3, so there
is no need to worry about and small residual fluid in your system.  The
advantage to DOT 4 is it's higher boiling point.  It is NOT silicone based.
It is the modern replacement for DOT 3 (both are glycol based fluids).

Silicone based fluid is called DOT 5 and should never be used unless you are
prepared to do a complete brake rebuild (lines, hoses, master cylinder, wheel
cylinders, etc.).  It will swell any rubber parts that were used with glycol based
fluid and cause leaks throughout the system.

Mike
1955 Cadillac Eldorado
1973 Cadillac Eldorado
1995 Cadillac Seville
2004 Escalade
1997 GMC Suburban 4X4, 454 engine, 3/4 ton
custom built by Santa Fe in Evansville, IN
2011 Buick Lucerne CX
-------------------------------------
CLCMRC Museum Benefactor #38
Past: VP International Affiliates, Museum Board Director, President / Director Pittsburgh Region

Renato

@Mike as I understand do you use DOT5 now?
R. Bognar

Mike Josephic CLC #3877

I use DOT 4.  That's what all of the local shops have used now for years.
Most all new vehicles have had DOT 4 installed at the factory since 2006.

I considered using DOT 5 (silicone based) on my last restoration but did
not because my '55 has a Hydro-Vac power brake booster and it's not
a good idea using a silicone fluid with this system.

Mike
1955 Cadillac Eldorado
1973 Cadillac Eldorado
1995 Cadillac Seville
2004 Escalade
1997 GMC Suburban 4X4, 454 engine, 3/4 ton
custom built by Santa Fe in Evansville, IN
2011 Buick Lucerne CX
-------------------------------------
CLCMRC Museum Benefactor #38
Past: VP International Affiliates, Museum Board Director, President / Director Pittsburgh Region

gary griffin

Thanks everyone, I just purchased a 1957-60 special and the first thing I will do is a complete check up of belts and rubber and change fluids and take a good look at the tires, probably replacing them depending on the date code.  I can figure out the oil and gas but now I do not have to worry about the brake fluid.  In humid climates it is important to change brake fluid on a regular basis. Many people do not understand that every time we use the brakes we introduce moist air into the brake system to deteriorate the system components.

I am kind of excited and it is on a truck from California and expected this evening or tomorrow morning. It is most modern Cadillac I have ever had.
Gary Griffin

1940 LaSalle 5029 4 door convertible sedan
1942 Cadillac 6719 restoration almost complete?
1957 Cadillac 60-special (Needs a little TLC)
2013 Cadillac XTS daily driver

57eldoking

Hope we get to se some pictures, congratulations. A 57 60 Special is probably the next 57 I'm getting!
1957 Eldorado Biarritz #906
1957 Eldorado Biarritz #1020 http://bit.ly/1kTvFlM
1957 Eldorado Seville  #1777 http://bit.ly/1T3Uo1c
1995 Fleetwood Brougham  http://bit.ly/20YwJV4
2010 SRX Performance

1946 Chevy 1/2 ton pickup
1957 Buick Caballero Estate Wagon (x2)
1960 Chevy Apache 10 Stepside
1991 Jeep Grand Wagoneer (x2)
1992 Pontiac Trans Sport GT