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SSsssteamer · 05-19-2014, 10:46 PM

My brake progress on our Stanley Mt. Wagon:

Changing from a 1/4” brake line to a 3/16” brake line cured a part of my braking problems. I instantly gained about an inch of pedal travel.

Disappointingly, changing out my Dot 5 Silicone brake fluid to Dot 4 brake fluid made very little change in my brake pedal travel.

The disc brake calipers I had mounted at about 2 o’clock from level. They had double pistons so they needed a more vertical mounting to be bled. I unbolted them and turned them up about another 30 degrees so that I could bleed them completely. That was the secret to the whole fix. I now have a full brake pedal. I have about a 1 1/2” pedal travel before the brakes become engaged. A total 4 inch travel before the brakes are totally locked up. There is another 4 “ of travel beyond that if I should ever need it.

05-19-2014, 10:46 PM	#21
SSsssteamer Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Sedro-Woolley, WA Posts: 1,023	Re: Dot 4 or Dot 5 brake fluid? My brake progress on our Stanley Mt. Wagon: Changing from a 1/4” brake line to a 3/16” brake line cured a part of my braking problems. I instantly gained about an inch of pedal travel. Disappointingly, changing out my Dot 5 Silicone brake fluid to Dot 4 brake fluid made very little change in my brake pedal travel. The disc brake calipers I had mounted at about 2 o’clock from level. They had double pistons so they needed a more vertical mounting to be bled. I unbolted them and turned them up about another 30 degrees so that I could bleed them completely. That was the secret to the whole fix. I now have a full brake pedal. I have about a 1 1/2” pedal travel before the brakes become engaged. A total 4 inch travel before the brakes are totally locked up. There is another 4 “ of travel beyond that if I should ever need it.