How to Change a Brake Master Cylinder

The master cylinder is a part of your car's brake system. The master cylinder sends pressure from the brakes through the master cylinder and into the car's hydraulic brake system. The master cylinder contains break fluid. Occasionally, when the master cylinder wears out you'll notice fluid leakage; replace the master cylinder when this happens.

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

1. Locate the brake fluid reservoir and remove any break fluid with a suction device. The break fluid reservoir is next to the fluid lines and the master cylinder.

2. Remove the electronic fluid level sensor just below the fluid reservoir by disconnecting and releasing the safety clip.

3. Disconnect all break fluid lines from the master cylinder. Loosen in a counter clockwise motion with a line wrench. Some break fluid will leak out when the lines come off.

4. Use a socket wrench to loosen the master cylinder mounting bolts. When both bolts come off remove the master cylinder from the car.

5. Place the new master cylinder in position and tighten the mounting bolts.

6. Reconnect the brake fluid lines and the electronic fluid level sensor.

7. Refill the brake fluid reservoir and bleed the brakes until all air is out of the brake line.

Tips & Warnings

• Continue bleeding the brakes until normal brake function returns. Enlist the help of a friend to push on the brake pedal while you add fluid until levels are normal.
• Keep a drip pan under the car just below the brake lines to catch any dripping brake fluid.
• Use cat litter or other absorbent material to clean up any fluid spillage.

[cylinder]

on 4/20/2009 do i bleed from back of the tire or from MASTER C ?

[JoseG]

on 10/4/2008 does the car need to be on to bleed the brakes

[JoseG]

on 10/3/2008 Hi im getting ready to replace a master cylinder on a 1994 Honda accord ex is this going to diffucult job for me?