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Brake Fluid
#16
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Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: i-6
If it says use Dot 3 ...use that (or whatever it states on the brake cap or manual).
You may notice some cans of DOT4 say "Synthetic" on them ...which is really misleading and throws people off. That had me confused too. Read up on it. There's plenty out there which states that all brake fluid is essentially 'synthetic' ..and some of those cans of Dot4 are a very similar base as the Dot3 and they aren't silicone-based ...which is what most people think of when the term 'synthetic' is thrown around. So, don't be thrown off by the 'synthetic' term on the Dot4 labeling. It's like dot3 with a little higher boiling point.
You may notice some cans of DOT4 say "Synthetic" on them ...which is really misleading and throws people off. That had me confused too. Read up on it. There's plenty out there which states that all brake fluid is essentially 'synthetic' ..and some of those cans of Dot4 are a very similar base as the Dot3 and they aren't silicone-based ...which is what most people think of when the term 'synthetic' is thrown around. So, don't be thrown off by the 'synthetic' term on the Dot4 labeling. It's like dot3 with a little higher boiling point.
Right on. DOT3 it is.
That is exactly what I needed to hear. The glycol should evaporate any moisture if replaced every couple of years. I just need to fabricate a flush kit and geterdun. Thanks guys!
Last edited by AudioFreq; 10-25-2019 at 05:15 PM.
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AudioFreq (10-25-2019)
#18
Old fart with a wrench
Brake fluid is HYGROSCOPIC, meaning it absorbs water and should be changed on a regular basis. A high enough water content will rust the calipers and master cylinder bores internally until they leak. A good indication of time to change it is when it changes color. As long as it's clear, it should be fine.
#20
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Year: 1998 Classic (I'll get it running soon....) and 02 Grand
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
I just did that loop business on my rear brakes (on my WJ). I was skeptical, but it worked very well for the initial bleed into empty new calipers. I did finish it off the old-fashioned way, with a helper and a wrench.
Still, it was the fastest I've ever bled brakes.
Still, it was the fastest I've ever bled brakes.
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AudioFreq (10-25-2019)
#21
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Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: i-6
Brake fluid is HYGROSCOPIC, meaning it absorbs water and should be changed on a regular basis. A high enough water content will rust the calipers and master cylinder bores internally until they leak. A good indication of time to change it is when it changes color. As long as it's clear, it should be fine.
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AudioFreq (10-27-2019)
#23
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Year: 95
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
You can IF a. the brake system is non ABS and b. the entire system is thoroughly and completely drained flushed and flushed again before switching from glycol to silicone or from silicone to glycol. For 99.9% of vehicle owners, sticking with the brake fluid type that the vehicle came with and changing it every two years is good enough.
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downs (10-27-2019)
#24
Old fart with a wrench
You don't need DOT 5 unless your brake rotors are turning cherry red, as in road racing.
#26
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Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
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I was wanting to use DOT 3/4 but Went ahead and got bottles of both. The XJ went great.. old fluid looked nearly new as it should have as per carfax maintenance reports by the PO.
The 1995 850 turbo wagon; It must have been its first time (and has 320k miles on it.. 240 when I bought it). The goobly-gop mess that was in the removed fluid was riotous. It looked like a rhino had sneezed in it.
Both are stopping on a dime now.
P/O neglect; Corrected/
The 1995 850 turbo wagon; It must have been its first time (and has 320k miles on it.. 240 when I bought it). The goobly-gop mess that was in the removed fluid was riotous. It looked like a rhino had sneezed in it.
Both are stopping on a dime now.
P/O neglect; Corrected/
#28
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Year: 95
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
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I might do DOT 5 in my XJ at some point for the same benefits my little jeep gets from it but IF I do it won't happen until I fit mondo killer brakes.
For the majority of folks DOT 3 is fine, cheap and readily available everywhere.
#30
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Year: 1998 Classic (I'll get it running soon....) and 02 Grand
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
They went back to DOT3.
Unless you are racing, you don't want DOT5.