Labor Day Putting down your wrenches or time for
MORE wrenching? 
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Mod | | | Forums66 Topics128,009 Posts1,055,297 Members48,419 | | Most Online14,466
Apr 26th, 2026 | | AD Chevy Trucks  Over 6,000 pictures Brad Allen has an awesome collection of Chevrolet factory pictures that he has set up from film strips. Check them out!
Lots of work on Brad's part ... pure enjoyment (and references) for you!
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For helping keep this great
old truck web site
on the Internet for over 30 years! and not clogged down
with Ads!  Again, thanks!
| | | | Joined: Dec 2018 Posts: 473 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Dec 2018 Posts: 473 | Is there a kit out there available to test MC brake fluid for acidity....etc.? | | | | | Joined: Dec 2001 Posts: 14,522 Moderator: Welcome Centre, Southern Bolters, Legion Hall | | Moderator: Welcome Centre, Southern Bolters, Legion Hall Joined: Dec 2001 Posts: 14,522 | Curious minds what to know.....May I ask why? | | | | | Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 7,440 Bolter | | Bolter Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 7,440 | Saw one somewhere, don’t remember where though.
Martin
'62 Chevy C-10 Stepside Shortbed (Restomod in progress)
'47 Chevy 3100 5 Window (long term project)
‘65 Chevy Biscayne (Emily)
‘39 Dodge Business Coupe (Clarence)
“I fought the law and the law won" now I are a retired one!
Support those brave men/women who stand the "Thin Blue Line"! Hug a cop!
USAF 1965-1969 Weather Observation Tech (I got paid to look at the clouds)
| | | | | Joined: Jan 2016 Posts: 631 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jan 2016 Posts: 631 | Moisture tester: Amazon: PTE Tester Calibrated for for DOT 4 Brake fluids by PTE 4.2 out of 5 stars 467 ratings | 22 answered questions List Price: $8.49 Price: $6.99 & FREE Returns You Save: $1.50 (18%) Get $100 off instantly: Pay $0.00 $6.99 upon approval for the Amazon Prime Store Card. No annual fee. Color: Calibrated Quick and easy way to test for moisture content in the brake fluid; results appear in seconds LED light indicators show percentage of water in the brake fluid Calibrated for cars using DOT 4 brake fluid only (found in most cars produced since 2006) Acidity and moisture test strips https://www.acustrip.com/res/pdf/61000_SS.pdfhttps://www.acustrip.com/cgi-bin/proddesc.cgi?s=61000Takes 1 x AAA/1.5V battery (included) Only takes seconds to know t
Last edited by showkey; 04/17/2020 5:33 PM.
| | | | | Joined: Jan 2017 Posts: 124 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Jan 2017 Posts: 124 | I go by the old adage " If in doubt change it out"
38 Chevy 1/2 ton being resto-moded
65 AC Cobra replica
USAF vet
| | | | | Joined: Mar 2002 Posts: 9,115 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Mar 2002 Posts: 9,115 | Some garages use the moisture checker on a regular basis. Dealerships like to change the fluid every few years. | | | | | Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 29,742 Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) | | Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 29,742 | DOT 3 and 4 brake fluid is made with alcohol and glycerine as the basic components. It's "hygroscopic", meaning it will absorb moisture from the humidity in the air. I'd recommend flushing the brake system every couple of years with fresh fluid, rather than try to test it. A couple of cans of new brake fluid and a little time spent bleeding the system is cheap life insurance. DOT 5 fluid is silicone-based and doesn't absorb moisture, but that stuff opens up a Pandora's box of problems when it's used in a system not engineered for it!
Jerry
"It is better to be silent and be thought a fool than to speak and eliminate all doubt!" - Abraham Lincoln
Cringe and wail in fear, Eloi- - - - -we Morlocks are on the hunt!
There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self. - Ernest Hemingway
Love your enemies and drive 'em nuts!
| | | | | Joined: Dec 2018 Posts: 473 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Dec 2018 Posts: 473 | 12 year old newer vehicle w/only 1500 miles on the odometer. Garage kept although I suppose it could draw moisture from sitting. | | | | | Joined: Jan 2016 Posts: 631 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jan 2016 Posts: 631 | DOT 5 should NOT be confused with 5.1 brake fluid Since DOT 4 and 5.1 are both glycol-based brake fluids they are compatible with each other, which means they can be readily mixed without harming your brake system. It is important never to mistake DOT 5.1 (glycol-based) with DOT 5 which is silicone-based and should never be mixed with any other DOT fluid. https://epicbleedsolutions.com/blogs/faq/whats-the-difference-between-dot-4-and-dot-5-1-brake-fluid
Last edited by showkey; 04/17/2020 8:11 PM.
| | | | | Joined: Feb 2011 Posts: 583 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Feb 2011 Posts: 583 | Should I count myself lucky? I've used Dot 5 silicone brake fluid in my 1939 Chevy truck for more years than I can remember. Original Huck brake system. No problems what so ever. I can slam on the brakes and put your nose into the windshield. So what are the problems?
Rick
1939 Chevrolet Stake Truck
| | | | | Joined: Jul 2000 Posts: 2,187 Insomniac | | Insomniac Joined: Jul 2000 Posts: 2,187 | I use DOT 5 too. I'm pleased with how the brakes work. Apparently DOT 5 gives a spongier feel to the pedal; I haven't noticed. Doesn't absorb water and doesn't eat paint. Good stuff.
Gord 🇨🇦
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1954 1/2 ton 235 4 speed
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,269 Bubba - Curmudgeon | | Bubba - Curmudgeon Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,269 | Should I count myself lucky? I've used Dot 5 silicone brake fluid in my 1939 Chevy truck for more years than I can remember. Original Huck brake system. No problems what so ever. I can slam on the brakes and put your nose into the windshield. So what are the problems?
Rick "DOT 5 which is silicone-based and should never be mixed with any other DOT fluid." That is the main/only "problem". Once you go silicone/DOT5, you can't go back and you can't mix with other grades, I think I have been using it in my Suburban for many years (15-16 years, at least). I had all new SS brake lines and all new other brake system parts. No problems and no bleeding needed over that time - it it ain't squishy, leave it be? | | | | | Joined: Feb 2011 Posts: 583 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Feb 2011 Posts: 583 | Before I used the Dot 5 I replaced all the brake components with new. Wheel cylinders, master cylinder, brake lines, brake hoses, etc.
Rick
1939 Chevrolet Stake Truck
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