| Author | Message | ||
     Essthreetee |
I have it split open in my garage, getting ready to rebuild it. According to the service manual I should clean the parts with denatured alcohol or DOT 4 Brake Fluid...any input as to which is best??? Also it says to use DOT 4 Fluid...but The fluid I was told to use ( and sold) by my local HD Dealer (Formerly a Buell Dealer) was the H-D "Silicone Brake Fluid". The back of it reads, "Conforms to DOT 5 Standards." Do I use this fluid? or do I go to Pepboys and get some DOT 4 Fluid? or do I go to my local Honda Dealer and get some DOT 4 fluid? Is there a difference? AARRRRGGGGGG HELP!!!! I am new to brakes, and REALLY don't want to screw them up. Any and ALL help is appreciated....  | ||
| Whodom |
I'd think either denatured alcohol or DOT 4 brake fluid would be OK for cleaning. The alcohol is probably a little cheaper, so if you need a lot, it might be worth buying. OTOH, one large bottle of DOT 4 ought to take care of cleaning and refilling the system. If Buell says use DOT 4, I'd use DOT 4. Silicone brake fluid (DOT 5) sure seems like it ought to be better as it doesn't absorb moisture from the air as do DOT 3 and DOT 4, which are alcohol-based. OTOH, when you use silicone fluid I've read moisture still accumulates in the brake system and winds up settling in the caliper. Here, it causes corrosion rather than being absorbed by the fluid where it could easily be flushed out when you change brake fluid. I don't think you'll screw anything up using the DOT 5; I'd just go with what the factory recommends to be safe. | ||
| Mbsween |
Changing to dot5 requires a completely dry system,since the two fluids don't mix. The S2s came with dot5 stock if I recall correctly. The M2/X1/S3 types all use dot 4. To confuse matters there is something called dot 5.1, which is the same type of fluid as dot 3 or dot4 (glycol based), but has the performance characteristics of dot 5 (silicone based). I used the dot 5.1 fluid in my 2001 x1. I've done the rebuild in my garage, its pretty simple. I'd even go that getting the caliper off the disk is the hardest part. Dot 4 is pretty much dot4, just make sure to use a nice new sealed can. Dot 4 will absorb water, while dot5 doesn't, hence the need to keep the can of dot4 sealed. Did you get the rebuild kit? It includes 6 new pistons and all the rubber seals. Saves you cleaning all those parts, and it was pretty cheap to boot. Also be sure to cover painted surfaces when bleeding, some fluid will invariable find its way to the tank/rim Good luck! | ||
| Essthreetee |
MB, that was the info I was looking for. yes I did get the rebuild kit (Thanks DaveS)...I hooked up a plastic cup and baling wire to catch the fluid as it drains out of the line...I will be picking up a new bottle of DOT 4 tomorrow and cleaning, rebuilding the caliper. It will give me something to do on my last day of winter break. Especially with all of this DAMN RAIN that we have been getting... Thanks again. | ||
| Raceautobody |
Do a search on bleeding brakes in the KV. There is some great tips there. Saves alot of time and will get them right. Al | ||
| Mbsween |
Jason, no sweat, the fun part is the stoppies right after the rebuild. You have more brake than you know what to do with. Rain, hell we've got snow outside! | ||
| Essthreetee |
Matt...you were right...that was just about the easiest thing I have done. I am gonna read some of the KV brake bleeding tips, I think I got em, but I want to make sure. I understand there are a lot of people with worse weather than me...but when you are used to being able to ride almost every week...it REALLY SUCKS. I made a promise to my wife...no riding in wet or FOG...the Tule fog around here sucks... OH Well, can't be wet forever... Jason | ||
| Eboos |
According to my service manual (99-00 M2), the 99 M2 used DOT 5, and the 00 uses DOT 4. If you aren't sure, used what is listed on your master cylinder or check a service manual (owner's manual should have this information too). |
