Brake fluid color question

[hikermikem]

I'm so darn proud of myself!!

I just rebuilt the front brakes on my '82 1100G. I replaced the piston & seals in the MC, along with the pistons, seals & boots in both front calpiers. I even ran SS brakes lines direct from the MC to each caliper. Then filled the system up with DOT 4 fluid.

The new brake fluid was a bit yellow as it came from the sealed container. It was Carquest Auto brand DOT 4 fluid. My question is, is this normal, or should it have been crystal clear? Do I have a problem with possibly contaminated fluid, or am i being anal?

On a side note, I couldn't believe how frozen both front calipers were when i disassembled them. The pads were in almost new condition, so i didn't replace them (EBC FA-51, Kevlar pads). The brake fluid was clear, but the MC & both calipers had gelled brake fluid that reminded me of vaseline in them. I'm amazed they even worked at all. They work unbelieveably better now! I also found Basscliff's & BWringer's web info very helpful.

Thanks,

Mike

[duaneage]

It's probably fine. If there was no color at all it would be hard to see in the reservoir, no?
Red, rusty and dark murky are colors you don't want to see in the fluid.

[J_C]

Yep, mine is clear with a slight yellow tint. Nothing unusual there

[BassCliff]

Hi Mr. hickermikem,

I love success stories. Thanks for sharing yours.


Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

[hikermikem]

Hi Mr. hickermikem,

I love success stories. Thanks for sharing yours.


Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

Yes, this was a success. I will post a couple of pics if you're interested, showing the Spiegler brand SS lines. Their diameter is quite small compared to the traditional SS hoses, but that allows them nest together & take up less space. I was even able to use the same MC brake line boot over the double banjo bolt.

[hikermikem]

It's probably fine. If there was no color at all it would be hard to see in the reservoir, no?
Red, rusty and dark murky are colors you don't want to see in the fluid.

Yes, i agree. Actually, there was some gunk in the MC sight-window thought i thought was permament. After i cleaned the MC body the sight-glass now looks new!

[Nessism]

Great job! Cleaning out the brake system by disassembly is mandatory maintenance in my opinion. Simply flushing out the system by dumping in clean fluid and bleeding does not get all the chunks out. Plus, the rubber brake lines get a scale on the inside which doesn’t come out either.

[hikermikem]

Speigler SS brake line pics

Pic showing dual Spiegler SS lines at MC using original rubber boot.

[hikermikem]

Pic showing lines at MC with boot removed. These lines nest very well together - plus the Spiegler lines can be rotated at each banjo fitting to eliminate line twist.

[hikermikem]

Speigler SS brake line pics

Line connected to left caliper, using exsiting speedometer cable guide to keep line from swaying in the breeze. I have ordered an additional speedometer cable guide for the opposite side to hold the right line in place.

[hikermikem]

Speigler SS brake line pics

Final pic showing caliper connection. I used an angled fitting at the calipers (allows easy access to the bleeders), and straight fittings at the MC.

[bwringer]

You can get this really cool brake fluid that's blue or amber. The idea is that you fill the system with blue, then the next year when you change out the fluid, fill with amber and bleed until the fluid is all amber. Then the next year go back to blue.

Cool, eh?

http://www.pegasusautoracing.com/productselection.asp?Product=3326

[hikermikem]

You can get this really cool brake fluid that's blue or amber. The idea is that you fill the system with blue, then the next year when you change out the fluid, fill with amber and bleed until the fluid is all amber. Then the next year go back to blue.

Cool, eh?

http://www.pegasusautoracing.com/pro...p?Product=3326

That IS cool, and practical too...