I replaced a brake line in my machine and didnt have any DOT3 to put in the master cylinder so I used some tranny fluid. I bled the brakes and the brake lever was very stiff but it worked. A day or so later the brake lever had no resistance at all. Therefore the brakes werent working. I figured I hadnt got all the air out of the system so I bled them again, but to no avail. Someone told my you can wreck the master cylinder that way. Is this what happened? I've used ATF and tranny fluid to replace each other in many different vechiles(not atv's, though). I'd be surprised if they arent interchangeable, although not recommended. But would explain why my brakes arent working. Any ideas???

 

Tranny fluid and brake fluid are nowhere near interchangeable,tranny fluid is a petroleum based product,brake fluid is a glycol. Trans fluid is also highly detergent, my guess is the seals and such swelled from the
tranny fluid,and now leak by. You can try flushing it out several times with brake fluid,but my guess is you will need a master cyl. rebuild,and maybe the calipers on the brakes. Not a good trade off for not taking the time to get the right fluid for the job.

 

IF BRAKE FLUID AND TRANSMISSION FLUID WERE INTERCHANGABLE THEN WHY WOULD THEY MAKE BOTH???? I CANT BELIEVE YOU WOULD POST A STORY LIKE THAT.

 

Ihave to agree, even though brake, tranny, and power steering fluids are all hydrolic fluids, I wouldn't interchange any of them.

Matt

 

I heard that if you run out of gas, you can also use anti-freeze, with no ill effects.



You've got to be kidding me.

 

Quadfather BWWWAAAAAAAHAAAAAHHHAAAAA

Soupcan you must be able to read as you did type out that story.

BBBBBWWWWWWAAAAAAAAAAHHHHAAAAAAAHHHAAAAAAA

Sorry I just can't stop laughing

BBBBWWWWWAAAAAAAAAHHHAAAAAAAAAHHHAAAAAAAAHHHHAAAAA AAAAAAHHHHAAAAAAAA

 

One time at bandcamp.......

 

Gas, oil, brake fluid, and grease are all over rated and expensive. Just use water next time.

 

I hate to say this, but the ATF probably ruined the seals in your brake system. Brake seals are made out of some unique stuff, and most, if not all oil-based products will attack them.
I hate to be the one to tell you this, but you will need to rebuild or replace your master cylinder, plus all your calipers. Be sure to flush the brake lines real good, too.

Farmr