Home » How-to » Brakes » Hydraulic System » How to Replace a Brake Master Cylinder

How to Replace a Brake Master Cylinder

for all vehicles ( View guide for your vehicle )
Parts needed: Suggest Parts
Brake Master Cylinder Brake Fluid
Tools needed: Suggest Tools
3/8 in. Drive Ratchet Socket and Ratchet Set
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Estimated Costs:

DIY Costs
Est. $1,727.09 parts only
Shop Costs
Est. $2,185.06 in parts and labor
Costs are based on averages for all vehicles.

Guide Steps

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1
 
Open hood and locate your brake master cylinder. edit step - submit photo
Brake Master Cylinder
2
 
Inspect brake fluid level. edit step - submit photo
Brake Fluid Reservior
3
 
Using a turkey baster, withdraw the brake fluid from the master cylinder. edit step - submit photo
4
 
Remove the brake lines from brake master cylinder using flare nut wrenches. edit step - submit photo
Brake master cylinder with brake line attatched
5
 
Disconnect any electrical connecters from the brake master cylinder. edit step - submit photo
6
 
Unbolt the brake master cylinder from brake booster. edit step - submit photo
7
 
Mount new brake master cylinder in a vice. edit step - submit photo
8
 
Fill both chambers of the brake master cylinder reservoir with brake fluid. edit step - submit photo
9
 
Using a bench bleeding kit thread the adaptors into the brake master cylinder. edit step - submit photo
10
 
Route the tubing back into the brake master cylinder reservoir. edit step - submit photo
11
 
With a Phillips screwdriver, slowly pump the piston using full strokes. edit step - submit photo
12
 
Keep pumping the brake master cylinder until all the air is removed. edit step - submit photo
13
 
Install the new brake master cylinder to the brake booster. edit step - submit photo
14
 
Remove bench bleeding fitting and install brake lines. Some brake fluid may leak out but the brake master cylinder should stop any major leak. edit step - submit photo
15
 
Fill the master cylinder reservoir. edit step - submit photo
16
 
Secure your vehicle on a level surface, making sure your car will not roll or lean too much when jacked up. edit step - submit photo
17
 
Lift up your vehicle with a floor jack. edit step - submit photo
Jack lifting vehicle up by pinch weld
18
 
Secure the vehicle with jack stands on both sides for safety before starting any work. The pinch welds and the frame are the two best locations. Do not rely on the jack to hold the vehicle up while working. edit step - submit photo
19
 
Remove the wheels by removing the lugs nuts that are holding them on. To do this you will need to find the correct size socket and large ratchet or tire iron and turn them counter clockwise. If your vehicle is equipped with hub caps (plastic covers over the wheels), these will need to be removed to access the lug nuts. edit step - submit photo
Breaker bar loosening lug nuts
20
 
Place a 1 x 4 block of wood under the brake pedal to prevent the pedal from traveling to far. edit step - submit photo
21
 
Locate the brake bleeder valve on your passenger side rear brake caliper or wheel cylinder. edit step - submit photo
Brake Bleeder Valve
22
 
Install a piece of clear plastic tubing over the brake bleeder valve screw and place the other end into a container half full of brake fluid. edit step - submit photo
Bleeder closed with tube on valve and running into the container with brake fluid
23
 
Have your assistant slowly depress and hold the brake pedal down. edit step - submit photo
24
 
Crack the bleeder valve open. Old fluid and air bubbles will travel down the clear tubing and into the container. Tighten the bleeder valve. edit step - submit photo
Brake bleeder valve open while pedal is pressed to push out fluid
25
 
Repeat this process until clean fluid comes out of the bleeder valve and there are no more air bubbles. Check and refill the master cylinder. Do not allow the master cylinder to drain completely. edit step - submit photo
26
 
Repeat steps 22 through 25 in the following order: Left rear wheel, right front wheel, left front wheel. edit step - submit photo
27
 
Reinstall wheels, lower the vehicle to the ground and verify the repairs with a road test. edit step - submit photo
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