Brake fluid?

[Cobalt]

Im going to replace the fluid in my matco brake system. The manufacturer recomends mil-h-5606 hydraulic mineral oil, im not sure where to get that and i dont have time to wait to get it posted to me as i need to do it by next weekend. It doesn't need to be military or aircraft grade i just need something i can buy off the shelf at supercheap auto or somewhere. I have read that some people use auto trans fluid or power steering fluid, what does everyone else use and can someone point me to a specific product i can use safely in my matco brake system?

 

Thanks Leigh.

 

 

[Head in the clouds]

Im going to replace the fluid in my matco brake system. The manufacturer recomends mil-h-5606 hydraulic mineral oil, im not sure where to get that and i dont have time to wait to get it posted to me as i need to do it by next weekend. It doesn't need to be military or aircraft grade i just need something i can buy off the shelf at supercheap auto or somewhere. I have read that some people use auto trans fluid or power steering fluid, what does everyone else use and can someone point me to a specific product i can use safely in my matco brake system?Thanks Leigh.

Hi Leigh, without more information probably no-one can tell you for sure. You need to rtfm (read the f... manual). BUT many (most perhaps) similar brake systems use transmission fluid and if you put brake fluid in them you'll be rebuilding your entire brake system in a week or two. So it'd be a good idea to be absolutely certain what fluid you're supposed to use. BTW - it's all to do with what the seals and O rings are made from ...

 

Hydraulic mineral oil is easy to get from farm machinery suppliers, and is more like auto trans fluid than brake fluid.

 

Hope it helps.

 

 

[Blueadventures]

Im going to replace the fluid in my matco brake system. The manufacturer recomends mil-h-5606 hydraulic mineral oil, im not sure where to get that and i dont have time to wait to get it posted to me as i need to do it by next weekend. It doesn't need to be military or aircraft grade i just need something i can buy off the shelf at supercheap auto or somewhere. I have read that some people use auto trans fluid or power steering fluid, what does everyone else use and can someone point me to a specific product i can use safely in my matco brake system?Thanks Leigh.

Try ASAP in Lear Jet Drive at Caboolture, or the maintenance people at the airfield. Like HITC said don't put the wrong fluid in as you will be sorry!!!!. Cheers

 

 

[Nobody]

Im going to replace the fluid in my matco brake system. The manufacturer recomends mil-h-5606 hydraulic mineral oil, im not sure where to get that and i dont have time to wait to get it posted to me as i need to do it by next weekend. It doesn't need to be military or aircraft grade i just need something i can buy off the shelf at supercheap auto or somewhere. I have read that some people use auto trans fluid or power steering fluid, what does everyone else use and can someone point me to a specific product i can use safely in my matco brake system?Thanks Leigh.

Not sure where you are but that fluid it the standard one for almost all aircraft types. It will be stocked by many aircraft fuel and oil suppliers.....

 

Car brake fluid is very different. It is designed for sealed systems. The vented systems in aircraft allow it to absorb moisture from the atmosphere rendering it useless in a short period of time.

 

 

[onetrack]

MIL-H-5606 is a straight mineral-based oil (not synthetic), with a viscosity of 15 weight - and oil meeting this grade specification undergoes extra refining to remove waxes and other undesirable content, so the oil can continue to function satisfactorily at temperatures below -60 deg.

 

If your machine is RA-registered and you don't fly at great height, you could use any mineral-based, light hydraulic oil with a viscosity around 15 weight. Most simple hydraulic oils are around 10 weight.

 

Front suspension "Fork Oil" for motorcycles would be a suitable alternative, as would any straight hydraulic oil.

 

However, matching the viscosity is important, any increased viscosity would mean slower brake response and slightly heavier pedal pressure requirement.

 

 

[Cobalt]

All good guys i got the proper stuff from asap spares at caboolture. Now does anyone have any tips for flushing the brake system?

 

Thanks Leigh.

 

 

[onetrack]

One of these, hand held, one-man bleeder units, does it O.K. for me.

 

Hand Held Brake Bleeder Tester Set Bleed Kits Vacuum Pump Car Motorbike Bleeding | eBay

 

 

[M61A1]

Drain the old stuff by undoing the bleed screws, pumping the pedals if necessary. Use a syringe and pump in fresh fluid from the caliper up.

 

 

[Cobalt]

Drain the old stuff by undoing the bleed screws, pumping the pedals if necessary. Use a syringe and pump in fresh fluid from the caliper up.

Thats exactly what im planning on doing just wasn't sure if there was a trick to getting all the old fluid out. Anyone have any idea where to buy syringes and appropriately sized tubing? I had a quick look in supercheap today but couldn't find anything.

 

 

[Blueadventures]

Thats exactly what im planning on doing just wasn't sure if there was a trick to getting all the old fluid out. Anyone have any idea where to buy syringes and appropriately sized tubing? I had a quick look in supercheap today but couldn't find anything.

ASAP would have them, or auto stores like supercheap etc or Rural feed suppliers also sell them, your local vets would be throwing out used ones.

 

 

[corvairkr]

Thats exactly what im planning on doing just wasn't sure if there was a trick to getting all the old fluid out. Anyone have any idea where to buy syringes and appropriately sized tubing? I had a quick look in supercheap today but couldn't find anything.

I use an oil can it works a treat ....just cut the yellow nozzle off and you have your hose built in :)

 

SCA Oil Can, Flex Spout - 300mL - Supercheap Auto

 

 

[rgmwa]

A one-litre garden spray bottle from Bunnings works well. You can pressurise it which will pump the fluid automatically.

 

 

[Downunder]

Bought this from supercheap I think, for changing the trans fluid in my gbox.

 

Would be ok I guess. Probably better with something that provides a constant flow so you don't get bubbles?

 

 

 

[Cobalt]

I use an oil can it works a treat ....just cut the yellow nozzle off and you have your hose built in :)SCA Oil Can, Flex Spout - 300mL - Supercheap Auto

Nice and cheap and looks like it will do the job might give this a go thanks.

 

 

[Cobalt]

Just an update. Brake system flushed, refilled, bled and everything working as it should. The oil can was great for filling the system however due to the low flow rate was unable to push some of the bubbles out towards the top of the system around the park brake valve and master cylinder, instead i found it worked better to bleed the system the conventional way from the top down as i could pump the master cylinder rapidly to force the air bubbles down the lines.

 

Thanks Leigh.