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Stock XJ Cherokee Tech. All XJ Non-modified/stock questions go hereXJ (84-01)
All OEM related XJ specific tech. Examples, no start, general maintenance or anything that's stock.
DOT5 is a silicone based brake fluid. You CAN NOT USE IT IN OUR BRAKE SYSTEMS. DOT 3 and 4 are Glycol based. The two types don't mix. You can use 3 or 4 most of the on the shelf stuff is DOT3/4 just make sure you read the label.
Originally Posted by Jeepwalker
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
DOT5 is a silicone based brake fluid. You CAN NOT USE IT IN OUR BRAKE SYSTEMS. DOT 3 and 4 are Glycol based. The two types don't mix. You can use 3 or 4 most of the on the shelf stuff is DOT3/4 just make sure you read the label.
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.
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/
You don't need DOT 5 unless your brake rotors are turning cherry red, as in road racing.
Lollz ! I can only go so fast with 134 cubic inches of flat head goodness on tap so the brakes on my little jeep will never be in danger of over heating. That said with DOT 5 they will never be in danger of rusting from the inside either.
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.
Year: 1998 Classic (I'll get it running soon....) and 02 Grand
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
Originally Posted by ijeeep
with DOT 5 they will never be in danger of rusting from the inside either.
Not true. The military tried DOT5 in their wheeled combat vehicles for a while in the 80s, and it was bad news. Turns out, while it doesn't absorb moisture, it doesn't prevent moisture from getting in, and when it does (when, not if), it collects in low spots and rusts those spots. And... since the water doesn't mix with the brake fluid, it doesn't get moved out with a flush.
09-14-2015, 03:31 PM
Thank you .
