What is necessary to know about brake master cylinder replacement: lifetime limits, common defects and their signs, tips and recommendations
The brake master cylinder has no specific lifetime limit. Replacement of the unit is required at its inner surface damage, for example, at appearance of cracks on it. Mostly, these defects are the result of component wear. Unit defectiveness is indicated by decreasing of brake pedal resistance and the situation doesn't change after braking system bleeding. Also, leakage of braking fluid indicates the defect. Depressurization of the cylinder can be detected by appearance of oil leaks on the calipers, braking hoses, on the brake vacuum booster housing. Moreover, leakage can be suspected by lowering of braking fluid in the system. Diagnostics starts from studying the dashboard readings: a special indicator signalizes about problems in the braking system. Then, you can visually inspect the cylinder housing. It is necessary to check it for appearance of braking liquid leaks. Special attention should be taken to spots of connection of pipes with circuit outlets. Also you should visually inspect the housing for presence of mechanical damages. For more detailed diagnostics of cylinder condition you need to apply to specialists. It is also recommended to perform replacement of the unit at a service station.
Is it possible to replace brake master cylinder on your own?
It is strictly prohibited to replace the brake master cylinder on you own if you don't have corresponding experience: improper installation can cause full breakdown of the brake system. Moreover, it is advisable to replace brake liquid during works performing, and bleed the brake system in a mandatory manner after installation is finished. It is quite difficult to manage this work single-handedly, as bleeding of the system is performed according to a specific scheme, starting with the rear wheel, the most distant from the master cylinder and finishing with the front one, the closest to it. In some cases, you can manage without cylinder replacement, contenting with unit repair. Often, operability of the component can be restored with the help of a repair kit. It includes seals, dust boots, pistons, o-rings, protective caps, return springs, piston seats and other parts. Thus, demounting of the brake master cylinder is required for installation of the repair kit, it is advised to perform restoration works at a service station. The most common signs, indicating necessity of replacement or repair of the component are brake pedal work travel increase, braking efficiency lowering and brake liquid leakage.
Brake master cylinders of which brand are better to select for your car? How many brake cylinders does my car have?
It is better to select for your car brake master cylinder of such well-known firms as Brembo, Stark Professional Line, Metelli, Textar, ABS, TRW, ATE, Triscan, Bosch, LPR, ERT, Frenkit, FTE, Magneti Marelli. Their production is made of high-quality raw materials according to the modern technologies, undergoes testing at all production stages and is notable for reliability and durability. Moreover, in the assortment of these manufacturers you find not only wide range of brake master and slave cylinders, but all other parts for the brake system: pistons, dust boots and guides for the front and rear brake calipers, pads, discs, seals, hoses, pipes, fittings and other elements. To learn how many brake cylinders are installed in your car, you need to understand its brake system construction. There is always only one brake master cylinder, while quantity of its slave cylinders vary according to combination of brake mechanisms and quantity of pistons in each caliper. The minimum quantity of brake slave cylinders in a car is 4.