Brake master cylinder
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 71
Likes: 1
From: TX
Brake master cylinder
I need to R&R my brake master cylinder. Anything that I should be aware of? Do I just go to my favorite parts house and get a remfg unit and drop it in? Any issues on bleeding the antilock brakes?
THX
THX
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 9,226
Likes: 9
From: Irvine Ca
^^You'll get lots of opines as to what is the best.
I did a rebuilt unit and three years later it is working fine.
The Plastic cups on top are a real bear to get off the old one AND get onto the new one. I cheated and out gear oil on the o-rings during assembly...but I thought for sure I would break them while trying to get them off.
If the price difference for one WITH the cups is not too high for you, go ahead and get that M/C
There is a special brake bleed sequence for the ABS that does not make sense at first. I know it is different than the standard "Start from the furthest and work your way back" method of old. So pay attention to that...someone will post it here.
There are codes in your computer that need to be reset....since I don't have ABS, I can't tell you how, I do know you need to reset it or it could lead to a hard brake pedal.
The Bleeding process, if you can figure it out (How to, not the sequence), it shouldn't take you more than 20 minutes, start to finish. You need a friend that listens to you. All the brake Bleeder gadgets are unnecessary in my opinion. Gravity bleed will be mentioned...I cannot for the life of me figure out why someone would allow a simple process to be drawn out .....overnight
Dats all I know for now.
I did a rebuilt unit and three years later it is working fine.
The Plastic cups on top are a real bear to get off the old one AND get onto the new one. I cheated and out gear oil on the o-rings during assembly...but I thought for sure I would break them while trying to get them off.
If the price difference for one WITH the cups is not too high for you, go ahead and get that M/C
There is a special brake bleed sequence for the ABS that does not make sense at first. I know it is different than the standard "Start from the furthest and work your way back" method of old. So pay attention to that...someone will post it here.
There are codes in your computer that need to be reset....since I don't have ABS, I can't tell you how, I do know you need to reset it or it could lead to a hard brake pedal.
The Bleeding process, if you can figure it out (How to, not the sequence), it shouldn't take you more than 20 minutes, start to finish. You need a friend that listens to you. All the brake Bleeder gadgets are unnecessary in my opinion. Gravity bleed will be mentioned...I cannot for the life of me figure out why someone would allow a simple process to be drawn out .....overnight
Dats all I know for now.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 8,838
Likes: 31
From: Australia
Unless you drain all the fluid out of lines should not have to "bleed" the ABS. Just did a full rebuild on one of my cars; changed out fluid by pumping through until new fluid came out.
The M/C needs to be bled on the bench before reinstall.
Sums it up basically.
Speed bleeders are the best thing since sliced bread.One man bleeding; forget your friend who can listen, do it by yourself.
Gravity bleed; piece of p..s.
Loosen bleeder at rear,pour brake fluid in M/C, open beer, watch fluid level in M/C and beer can,check for new fluid coming out at bleeder,when new fluid appears close bleeder .
Check beer level , do next caliper
10 minutes max for fluid to run from M/C to furtherest bleeder.
The M/C needs to be bled on the bench before reinstall.
Sums it up basically.
Speed bleeders are the best thing since sliced bread.One man bleeding; forget your friend who can listen, do it by yourself.
Gravity bleed; piece of p..s.
Loosen bleeder at rear,pour brake fluid in M/C, open beer, watch fluid level in M/C and beer can,check for new fluid coming out at bleeder,when new fluid appears close bleeder .
Check beer level , do next caliper
10 minutes max for fluid to run from M/C to furtherest bleeder.
Last edited by rodj; Jul 19, 2009 at 08:11 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 5,214
Likes: 65
From: Queensland, AUSTRALIA
There is no codes to reset, and there is no special ABS bleeding method. There isnt a special method or codes to reset when you flush or bleed the system any other time, so why would there be this time? Follow the GM service manual for the correct order of bleeding.
