Fairchild Club Forum

'I have a 1935 Fairchild 22 with Fairchild oleo struts. The
instructions say to service the struts with "Lockheed Hydraulic Brake
Fluid or Texaco "C" oil". Can anyone recommend a suitable
replacement? Thanks, Steve, Madison, VA'

'It appears Lockheed Brake fluid is still in common use in the UK and
found in many models, Jaguar, Mini, etc and Saab in varieties Dot-3,4,
and 5. A Jaguar site addressing brake fluid issues refers to the use
of Lockheed (Delphi) Dot-5.1 or Castrol GT-LMA. Near as I can tell
these differ from typical North American systems since they still make
use of rubber components, which would be consistent with struts from
the 1930's (but don't quote me on that). I have no idea of suitability
to the task in question, but its a place to start and the Castrol
GT-LMA might be a candidate if its interchangeable with the Lockheed.
I doubt if these components are different for export so I would think
that a Jag or Saab dealer may easy access to the Lockheed stuff or
indirectly via Delphi.

Article on Mineral vs veg based system:
http://www.kipmotor.com/Technical_Questions/technical_questions.htm

Jaguar comments on lockheed/Castrol
http://www.xks.com/jaguar/news/technotes/siliconBrakeFluid.aspx

Castrol Link (PDF avail from there)
http://www.castrol.com/castrol/sectiongenericarticle.do?categoryId=9012213&contentId=7024043

--- In fairchildclub@yahoogroups.com, "Steve" wrote:
>
> I have a 1935 Fairchild 22 with Fairchild oleo struts. The
> instructions say to service the struts with "Lockheed Hydraulic Brake
> Fluid or Texaco "C" oil". Can anyone recommend a suitable
> replacement? Thanks, Steve, Madison, VA
>

'

'Others will say.. use 5606, the red stuff but John Deere Hydraulic oil works very well and is the modern day equivalent.

----- Original Message -----
From: Steve
To: fairchildclub@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Monday, May 05, 2008 7:01 AM
Subject: [fairchildclub] Lockheed Hydraulic Brake Fluid & Texaco "C" Oil


I have a 1935 Fairchild 22 with Fairchild oleo struts. The
instructions say to service the struts with "Lockheed Hydraulic Brake
Fluid or Texaco "C" oil". Can anyone recommend a suitable
replacement? Thanks, Steve, Madison, VA





[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

'

'Hey, thanks guys. Much appreciated, Steve, Madison, VA

--- In fairchildclub@yahoogroups.com, "Cy Galley" wrote:
>
> Others will say.. use 5606, the red stuff but John Deere Hydraulic
oil works very well and is the modern day equivalent.
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Steve
> To: fairchildclub@yahoogroups.com
> Sent: Monday, May 05, 2008 7:01 AM
> Subject: [fairchildclub] Lockheed Hydraulic Brake Fluid &
Texaco "C" Oil
>
>
> I have a 1935 Fairchild 22 with Fairchild oleo struts. The
> instructions say to service the struts with "Lockheed Hydraulic
Brake
> Fluid or Texaco "C" oil". Can anyone recommend a suitable
> replacement? Thanks, Steve, Madison, VA
>
>
>
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>

'

'Steve:

> I have a 1935 Fairchild 22 with Fairchild oleo struts. The
> instructions say to service the struts with "Lockheed Hydraulic Brake
> Fluid or Texaco "C" oil". Can anyone recommend a suitable
> replacement?

I have been using Automatic Transmission Fluid in my struts with good
results. Before specialized shock oils became available, it was
commonly used in motorcycle telescopic struts, too.

Using ordinary brake fluid works well unless / until a seal leaks;
the paint will be ruined where it drips or is blown. I can vouch for
this.

:Dan Michael
:NC81323


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]'