RobT
Jedi Warrior
Offline
A bit of background -- About 2 years ago I compleatly rebuilt the break and clutch hydraulics on my TR250 and refilled them with Dot 5 Silicone fluid throughout, since Dot 5 is less likely to absorb moisture, and does not eat your paint if (when?) it leaks onto the paintwork. I have used silicone before without a problem.
I have been very happy with the brakes, no problem there. Perhaps a little softer under foot than mineral fluid but not a big deal.
In the clutch hydraulics however its a different story. I just swapped out my second master cylinder in less than 2 years. The failure mode of both was the same - the clutch tends to "stick", and when I pull the master cylinder apart, there is scoring where the metal piston the seals ride on have scraped the bore.
I called Apple Hydraulics before sending this one off for a rebuild (the first one to fail was a repo from TRF, the second my original rehoned & with an new kit also from TRF). The chap I spoke to thought the problem was the rubber seals swelling due to the silicone fluid. He said this was a common problem on British systems, and they will not warantee their rebuilds if you use silicone fluid.
Has anyone else on BCF heard this being a problem with silicone fluid, or had this experience? With clutch or breaking systems? Are there any rebuild kits that are more resiliant to silicone fluid than others?
Also Apple can resleave using brass or stainless. I was thinking of going with the stainless, as this is harder and less likely to score, as the previous two master cylinders have. Anyone got any thoughts on which way to go?
Thanks,
Rob.
I have been very happy with the brakes, no problem there. Perhaps a little softer under foot than mineral fluid but not a big deal.
In the clutch hydraulics however its a different story. I just swapped out my second master cylinder in less than 2 years. The failure mode of both was the same - the clutch tends to "stick", and when I pull the master cylinder apart, there is scoring where the metal piston the seals ride on have scraped the bore.
I called Apple Hydraulics before sending this one off for a rebuild (the first one to fail was a repo from TRF, the second my original rehoned & with an new kit also from TRF). The chap I spoke to thought the problem was the rubber seals swelling due to the silicone fluid. He said this was a common problem on British systems, and they will not warantee their rebuilds if you use silicone fluid.
Has anyone else on BCF heard this being a problem with silicone fluid, or had this experience? With clutch or breaking systems? Are there any rebuild kits that are more resiliant to silicone fluid than others?
Also Apple can resleave using brass or stainless. I was thinking of going with the stainless, as this is harder and less likely to score, as the previous two master cylinders have. Anyone got any thoughts on which way to go?
Thanks,
Rob.