I stopped at a harley dealer one day because I needed primary oil and brake fluid. I did not know what type of brake fluid I needed so I asked the worker at the parts counter. She called someone for help, and after a short discussion she told me that I would need DOT4 brake fluid.
I blead the brakes using the DOT4 brake fluid and went on vaca for about 1 1/2 weeks. I took the bike out when I got home and my brakes locked up (the rear brakes, the rear was the system I used the fluid in). The brakes caught on fire, and upon closer inspection the seals were practicaly non-existent.
I brought the caliper to a different harley dealer, looking for a rebuild kit and to try and figure out what could have caused the problem, and they mentioned that the caliper smelled like DOT4 fluid. They asked if I had used DOT4 fluid and I told them that I had used the fluid the other dealer had given to me (at that time I wasnt sure if it was DOT4 that they had sold me). They said that under no circumstances should a harley dealer have given me DOT4 fluid for an 86' softail. The whole shop was quite surprised that they had sold me DOT4. They stated that I could attempt to THOUROUGHLY clean the system, but the best thing to do would be to replace the rear brake system.
The next day I went back to the dealership that sold me the DOT4, and I told the parts manager what had happened. He immediately aplogized and stated that they would replace all the parts necessary to ensure the bike is safe. He also apologized stating that they were happy that no one was injured. He wanted to order a new master cylinder, but I was not sure of the manufacturer on my bike (it was aftermarket). I told him I would return the next morning with the manufacturer. He then suggested that the dealer could come pick up my bike to ensure all the work was done properly. I took him up on his offer and arranged pick-up.
After they had my bike for about 24hrs the servoce manager called and stated that there was no way DOT4 brake fluid would cause a problem with my bike. I spoke to the store manager and he stated the same, that besides the fact that DOT4 and DOT5 seperate when combined together, it would not cause any serious problems.
One dealer is lying to me, and/or is very ignorant when it comes to brake fluid. Can anyone tell me who is correct? Is it OK to mix DOT4 and DOT5 brake fluid (as the dealer who sold me the DOT4 fluid told me)? Or, is putting DOT4 fluid in an 86' softail VERY dangerous, as the other dealer told me?
Lastly, will a thorough cleaning with a rebuild be sufficient or do I need to relpace the entire system?
Thanks for Reading
Tim
I blead the brakes using the DOT4 brake fluid and went on vaca for about 1 1/2 weeks. I took the bike out when I got home and my brakes locked up (the rear brakes, the rear was the system I used the fluid in). The brakes caught on fire, and upon closer inspection the seals were practicaly non-existent.
I brought the caliper to a different harley dealer, looking for a rebuild kit and to try and figure out what could have caused the problem, and they mentioned that the caliper smelled like DOT4 fluid. They asked if I had used DOT4 fluid and I told them that I had used the fluid the other dealer had given to me (at that time I wasnt sure if it was DOT4 that they had sold me). They said that under no circumstances should a harley dealer have given me DOT4 fluid for an 86' softail. The whole shop was quite surprised that they had sold me DOT4. They stated that I could attempt to THOUROUGHLY clean the system, but the best thing to do would be to replace the rear brake system.
The next day I went back to the dealership that sold me the DOT4, and I told the parts manager what had happened. He immediately aplogized and stated that they would replace all the parts necessary to ensure the bike is safe. He also apologized stating that they were happy that no one was injured. He wanted to order a new master cylinder, but I was not sure of the manufacturer on my bike (it was aftermarket). I told him I would return the next morning with the manufacturer. He then suggested that the dealer could come pick up my bike to ensure all the work was done properly. I took him up on his offer and arranged pick-up.
After they had my bike for about 24hrs the servoce manager called and stated that there was no way DOT4 brake fluid would cause a problem with my bike. I spoke to the store manager and he stated the same, that besides the fact that DOT4 and DOT5 seperate when combined together, it would not cause any serious problems.
One dealer is lying to me, and/or is very ignorant when it comes to brake fluid. Can anyone tell me who is correct? Is it OK to mix DOT4 and DOT5 brake fluid (as the dealer who sold me the DOT4 fluid told me)? Or, is putting DOT4 fluid in an 86' softail VERY dangerous, as the other dealer told me?
Lastly, will a thorough cleaning with a rebuild be sufficient or do I need to relpace the entire system?
Thanks for Reading
Tim