Your brake master cylinder is the hydraulic pump that pressurizes your steel brake lines when you press the brake pedal. If your brakes are getting worse, you may need a new master cylinder. When your vehicle slows or stops, braking pressure is applied to the rotors by the wheel cylinder and caliper, respectively. If your master cylinder is bad, it can cause a number of problems, including leaks.
There are two types of master cylinders: manual and power-assisted. It is usually located in the engine compartment, usually attached to the firewall, and older cars may have a brake booster as well. Besides a cylinder bore and piston, it also consists of a rubber cup and return spring, a reservoir, and a dust boot. When the pedal is pressed, the piston and cup are machined into the cylinder bore so that hydraulic pressure can be generated. The reservoir holds the brake fluid, which keeps the system under pressure, and the boot keeps dirt and metal shavings out.
The leaks
It is most common for the master cylinder to leak. If its piston seals wear out or if the cylinder cracks, it will allow brake fluid to escape and lower hydraulic pressure. The brakes can fail due to this damage. A severe leak can lead to the brake fluid running out and only leaving air in the line if the leak is severe.
A soft or spongy brake pedal is another sign of a bad master cylinder. This can be caused by a worn or brittle piston seal, or it could indicate low brake fluid or contamination from contaminants such as dirt and metal. A master cylinder can sometimes be repaired by pumping the brakes to force new brake fluid through the system, but this will only last a short time before it needs to be replaced again.
It is designed with multiple redundancies to prevent a master cylinder failure, including pressure and temperature sensors, as well as a differential valve to balance hydraulic pressure between two brake circuits. Excessive city driving or inadequate brake maintenance can still lead to a faster wear of the cylinder.
There is a danger of the car pulling to one side when it brakes if one circuit loses pressure, causing the differential valve to close, and the piston of the other circuit will be activated to provide proportional braking. Get more info about Hydraulic brake manufacturer.
A mechanic can replace the master cylinder for you, or you can do it yourself with AutoZone's parts and tools. If you experience any of these symptoms, you should have the master cylinder replaced as soon as possible. Don't forget to bleed all of the air out of the brake lines and use brake fluid that matches the spec on the reservoir cap or in the owner's manual.
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