A master cylinder is a hydraulic device that helps push fluid through the brake lines to the brakes themselves. The master cylinder contains two chambers with a piston. These pistons are connected to the brake pedal. When you press the brake pedal, the pistons push fluid from the chambers through the brake lines to the brake calipers or wheel cylinders, making them press the brake friction material against your rotors or drums.
All of your braking operations hinge on the brake master cylinder working well. If your car’s master cylinder is going bad, there are several warning signs to watch out for.
A car’s master cylinder is responsible for supplying hydraulic pressure to the brakes. If it is leaking fluid, that pressure is reduced, and the brakes may not work as well as they should. You’ll notice that the fluid level in the reservoir is low or empty. Remember that topping up the fluid isn’t a long-term solution.
A spongy or soft brake pedal can be caused by a leak in the system, and it can cause your brakes to fail. When the brake pedal sinks, that usually means that the fluid is being pushed out of the system with pressure, and when the pedal feels spongy, it indicates the presence of air in the lines.
Another warning sign is if your brake fluid looks dirty or contaminated. It should look a light golden color or clear, but it does get darker when it has contaminants in it. These can be from the master cylinder allowing moisture into the system or, more likely, there are metal shavings from the master cylinder failing internally.
If your car is making a grinding noise when you apply the brakes, it could also indicate that the master cylinder is going bad. The noise itself is from worn-out brake material, though, not the master cylinder itself. It’s possible that there’s more pressure to the front or rear brakes than normal.
When the car pulls to one side when brakes are applied, it could also be the master cylinder. In a situation like this, the car’s brakes aren’t getting pressure evenly on both sides, and the brakes grab and pull the car one way or the other.
The best way to deal with a bad master cylinder is to replace it as soon as possible. A bad master cylinder can cause your brakes to fail, which can be extremely dangerous. If you’re experiencing any brake problems, make sure to take your car to a mechanic right away to have it checked out or change the master cylinder yourself.
Install the new brake master cylinder, then fill it. Always use brake fluid matching the exact spec on the reservoir cap or your owner’s manual, and only from a new container. Once it’s installed, you’ll need to bleed the air from the brakes at each wheel, making sure the reservoir never empties and allows more air in.
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