So, I bled the clutch yesterday...

Jackal · #1 12-01-2003, 11:28 AM

Crawled under there yesterday with 40,000 mi. on the odo. The first shot or two out of the bleed screw was air bubbles and I believe...water. Cycled the old stuff out and replaced with Valvoline SynPower synthetic blend brake fluid (exceeds DOT3 & DOT4). Works much nicer now. I had about 1 1/2" of play before, and this solved the problem, along with the 2nd. / 3rd. gear crunch...so far. If you haven't done this yet...give it a shot. Made more of a difference than the Mobil 1 ATF swap.

I also wanted to put Mobil 1 in the transfer case (4x4) but it looks like I'd almost have to remove a crossbar member to get access. Besides, it looks like it couldn't even hold but 1 quart of fluid so I decided not to mess with it. The fill plug is only about 1/2" - 3/4" higher than the drain plug.

-AR

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LE PEW · #2 12-01-2003, 06:40 PM

Jackal, is the synthetic fluid compatible with the original fluid?

The reason I ask is because years ago I replaced the DOT 3 fluid on my bike's rear brakes with some of the (new at the time) DOT5 synthetic fluid and it trashed my master & wheel cylinder. I replaced both and flushed the sysem with mineral spirits. after the flush I was able to use the DOT5 without incident.

Scott D · #3 12-01-2003, 11:03 PM

DOT-5 brake fluid is silicone fluid, not to be confused with synthetic fluids like Valvoline. The synthetics behave much like conventional DOT-3 and DOT-4 fluids. DOT-5 is a completely different beast.

Silicone fluid (DOT-5) is really great stuff because it does not absorb moisture and therefore will not promote corrosion of brake components. I have used it with great success on my old TR6 which has an aluminum master cylinder that corrodes in a heartbeat with conventional fluid. I also use it on my motorcycle brakes and clutch. It will not harm paint.

Synthetics like Valvoline are compatible with DOT-3 and DOT-4. Silicone fluid (DOT-5) is NOT compatible. If you want to use DOT-5 you have to COMPLETELY FLUSH your system or install new components.

Some ABS systems specifically recommend against silicone fluid but I am not sure why. Some racers use it because it does not absorb moisture and therefore fades less. But some racers claim the silicone fluid has slightly more friction than regular fluid causing the pistons to retract less.

Scott D

LE PEW · #4 12-01-2003, 11:10 PM

Thanks for your reply Scott, most informative for sure. I was obviously confusing silicone fluid with synthetic.

Jackal · #5 12-05-2003, 12:24 PM

Sorry I forgot about this, the board doesn't send me notifications anymore.

Yeah, DOT5 is, well, covered above.

Forgot to add, I got about 2 - 3 full squirts of white assembly grease when I bleed.

-AR

Eduk8er · #6 01-05-2004, 05:08 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Jackal
Sorry I forgot about this, the board doesn't send me notifications anymore.

Yeah, DOT5 is, well, covered above. Forgot to add, I got about 2 - 3 full squirts of white assembly grease when I bleed.

-AR

Jackel, can you give me a step by step on your procedure ans where the bled screw is located?

Jackal · #7 01-06-2004, 10:50 AM

Bleed screw is under a rubber boot that has to be removed in the upper driver's side of the tranny.

I just popped the cap and diaphram off the reservoir, had a buddy push the clutch to the floor, and I loosened the bleed screw for second or two to let the fluid fly.

First shot was air and water somehow...or maybe a really, really light oil. The next two shots were white lithium assembly grease. I did this until I saw the clean fluid come out. Took about 3 reservoir drain and refills. Keep in mind, you have to top off the fluid res. about every 3 - 4 squirts. I used Valvoline SynPower Synthetic Blade Fluid. (Exceeds DOT 3 and DOT 4).

Eduk8er · #8 01-06-2004, 05:03 PM

Thanks Jackle. It is my understanding that the fluid will gather moisture in the 1 to 3% range each year it is in use. Ford now recommends changing the brake fluid every 36,000 miles to get more life out of the anti lock components. I guess the same would be true for the clutch but it doesn't have to deal with as high of temps as brakes.

Scott D · #9 01-09-2004, 12:29 AM

Brake fluid (and clutch) should be flushed annually regardless of mileage. It is very cheap insurance. Moisture not only corrodes components but can cause fade under heavy braking. (unless you switch to silcone fluid which does not absorb moisture.)

Annual brake fluid change has been a Mercedes required service for more than a decade. It is not uncommon to see well maintained Mercedes with 200-300K miles, still running original calipers, M/C and ABS controller.

Scott D