[Vwdiesel] Caddy brakes

[William J Toensing]

I am not saying this is the problem but don't forget the brake hoses. These are 30 year old cars we are playing with. When I acquired my very low mileage (est. 22,000 miles) 1941 Ford back in 1987 I was told the brakes didn't work but when backing it off the trailer I hit the brakes rather than the emergency brake & they did WORK! However, in driving the car to a close by meet a few weeks later, the brakes went out, one of the brake hoses blew, NO BRAKES! Made it home slowly with the emergency brake. I then replaced all the brake components except for the OEM linings which were still good. This included new wheel & master cylinders, all 3 brake hoses, flushed out the brake lines with alcohol, & refilled with Dot 5 silicon fluid. No trouble since except the Dot 5 fluid seems to attack the brake light switch & cause it to not function every few years. I still own the '41 Ford some 25 years later. I wonder if Dot 5 silicon fluid is compatible with the rubber used in VW brake systems provided all the rubber components are replaces & the brake lines are flushed? As I recall, the owners manual & Bentley advise against Dot 5. Has anyone had any experience with Dot 5 in VWs?
Bill Toensing, Nevada City, CA