5.1 dot fluid or 4 dot??

Overview Chat Bike Members News Women

This topic has 9 replies, 9 voices, and was last updated 12 years ago by mrdestructo.

Viewing 10 posts - 1 through 10 (of 10 total)

5.1 dot fluid or 4 dot??
mikeymckinnon004
Free Member

After raiding my cupboard i can only find some 5.1 break fluid and my breaks (Giant MPH) needs 4 dot.

Would it be ok to use the 5.1 dot or not recommended at all? and why?

Posted 12 years ago

crazy-legs
Full Member

1) They’re BRAKES. Not breaks. Breaks are when you have a Kit Kat.
2) Yes, DOT 5.1 will be fine, to all intents and purposes it’s basically the same stuff as DOT 4.

Posted 12 years ago

coffeeking
Free Member

This is break fluid 🙂

Posted 12 years ago

mtbtomo
Free Member

Thought 5.1 just had a higher boiling point?

Posted 12 years ago

HughStew
Full Member

Are you draining & refilling or just topping up?
I thought you weren’t meant to mix them – no idea why.

Posted 12 years ago

Ambrose
Full Member

DOT 5.1 and DOT 4 can be mixed. Using the wrong fluid can cause the seals to swell and the brakes will then become inoperable and will need a rebuild.

Posted 12 years ago

mikeymckinnon004
Free Member

Apparently the main differance between 4 DOT and 5.1 DOT is that 5.1 has a higher boiling point. apart from that i have no idea.

and it was because all the fluid leaked out :s so i now need to drain it all out and refill it again.

Posted 12 years ago

RustyMac
Full Member

There is no problem in using dot 5.1 brake fluid in brakes that have used dot 4. Avid recommend dot 5.1 due to the higher boiling point as bike brakes generally have smaller pistons and calipers which means they heat up more.

Posted 12 years ago

Gribs
Full Member

Dot 5.1 fluid isn’t “better” than dot 4. You can find dot 4 with higher boiling points than 5.1 but with viscosity that doesn’t match 5.1 specs.

Posted 12 years ago

mrdestructo
Full Member

btw, those pads you contamined, 20mins in the oven at 180c. Might recover them enough for use. leave them on the springclip and use some tongs to hang them on the grid.

Posted 12 years ago