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Brake fluid switch

ScottTR6

Senior Member
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I've been running silcone in my 74 TR6 since I got it, always had leaks from the master cylinder, despite a local rebuild. I'm going to send it to Apple Hydraulics to get it fixed right. As they can't warranty a rebuild for silcoine, I'm going to switch back to regular fluid. Does anyone have the proceedure to completely remove all the old silcone fluid? Do you flush with a solvent prior to removing the master for rebuild? Any suggestions from experience would be great.

Thanks,
Andrew
 
No solvent. You don't want anything that might react to the rubber.
The purists say to start from new. When I did it, I just pushed the old out with the new fluid. When I had solid color change of the fluid, I pushed another reservoir full through for good measure and left it at that.
I've never had any problems since in the TR3.
I was changing to silicone at the time.
 
Doug is correct. For all intents and purposes, that is probably the best method to change over.

BUT.........If the master cylinder is leaking after one rebuild and the rest of the system is NOT leaking from using silicone fluid, why not simply replace the master with new and be done with the hassles of regular fluid? It seems that there is a problem with that master cylinder, so why not replace it when you safety depends on its functionality?
 
Apple re-lined a master cylinder for my 1958 TR3A in 1998. I have been using silicone in my systems for 18 years. Never had any problems in 98,000 miles and at least 60,000 miles with that re-lined master cylinder. Silicone fluid is relatively inert. How can it affect anything in a metal part with rubber seals.
 
Just a side bar to steal this thread. 2 weeks ago my son and I bled the brakes on the *8 after a suspension redo and changing to silicon. On Wed. I decided to change rear cylinders. Went to put some plastic under the cap on the res. when I noticed it was bone dry. I hope I don't have a master full of fluid!
 
Now that I've read the first post again, I see my error. You MC was rebuilt, but not resleeved? Big difference.

Now I would agree with Don El on his method and you original plan.
 
You ever written something and then found out your an idiot? :crazy:
Rechecked the res and found it to be full. Stuff is so clear it is hard to see. :crazy:
 
When you didn't post that your shoes were covered with fluid from the booster leaking back, I assumed a "misread" of the fluid level.

I wear my reading glasses when checking the oil, so that I don't make the same mistake with clean oil on the stick.
 
Thanks all. I'll get Apple to re-line the unit, and try staying with the silicone.
 
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