by Anonymous on March 15th, 2007

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What happens when the Master Cylinder does not work?

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by Jade on March 15th, 2007
You will have no brakes.
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- Wrong. The e-brake still works.
  
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  by geek860 on May 23rd, 2007
- And you're going to drive around using the e brake? Your BRAKES still do not work. At least mine didn't when the MC went out.
  
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  by Jade on May 23rd, 2007
- I side with mystikal here - While it is a debate of semantics, "brakes" usually refers to the pedal next to the long pedal and not to the cable-actuated mechanism attached to the rear brake shoes/calipers. AS for driving with e-brake only... /me pleads the fifth ;)
  
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  by 8 Jan 2004-10 Dec 2009 on May 23rd, 2007
- Brakes for me means brakes. The e-brake actuates the rear brakes - they're called brakes. No brakes, as the answer says, implies that you can gear down and that's about it. I also plead guilty on having to use the e-brake to drive around while getting to a shop. Jerv you're like a lost brother...:P
  
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  by geek860 on May 23rd, 2007
- Here is fun - '94 Cirrus, blown brake line and a seized caliper. E-brake was a pedal and therefore not easily operable which left ONE functioning (?) brake. Or an '87 Golf with no friction material on the rear shoes; no e-brake there!
  
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  by 8 Jan 2004-10 Dec 2009 on May 23rd, 2007
- Gear down! Gear down! Lean on that horn and gear down! That's the extent of my advice in that situation. lol
  
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  by geek860 on May 23rd, 2007
- Yep. The funny part about that Golf - no speedo either. And hills... 101 has hills that made the tranny on my Aerostar smoke. Despite that, the Golf was easier to drive broken than the Cirrus was BEFORE the brakes went, even in traffic.
  
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  by 8 Jan 2004-10 Dec 2009 on May 23rd, 2007
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by Universe Of Life on March 15th, 2007
You need to replace it ... or overhaul it with a master cylinder kit ...

if you are mechanically minded it's not that hard to do ...

some parts shops will do an exchange unit ... you trade yours for an overhauled or new one
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- Doesn't answer the question.
  
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  by geek860 on May 23rd, 2007
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by justme32 loves the weekends on March 15th, 2007
Your brakes dont work.
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- Couldn't have said it better myself.
  
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  by Zibbys Mind Is In the Gutter Today on March 15th, 2007
- Once again, wrong. The e-brake still works.
  
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  by geek860 on May 23rd, 2007
- Yeah but using your e-brake to stop is not reccommended. It's for emergencies, not for using because your master cylinder went bad.
  
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  by Zibbys Mind Is In the Gutter Today on May 23rd, 2007
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by csimme01 and Ninja Cooper UNMASKED on January 28th, 2008
In brake testing the most common Master Cylinder failure we see is a leaking seal. This creates a pedal that slowly sinks to the floor when you hold it down. This also creates a differential pressure in the Primary and secondary circuit that will trigger a switch in the Proportioning valve (old school) or HCU (ABS new school) that turns on the red light. If left unrepaired this will eventually lead to a total failure of one of the two pressure circuits. This will turn off half of the brakes and leave you with a very long pedal and very reduced stopping power. Automotive companies no longer equip their vehicles with an Emergency Brake, They install a Parking Brake. The parking brake is just for that, parking. Using it to stop the vehicle while moving is dangerous because it works on the rear wheels only and can cause the vehicle to spin and possibly roll over. There are no federal tests required for stopping the vehicle with the parking brake.
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- I use my 'parking' brake as an 'e-brake' whenever necessary. When done correctly it can and will stop the vehicle. Sure it only works on the rear wheels but it gives you lots of power. The only downside is using the foot pedal ones where you need to pull the handle to release the brakes if they lock up. But, I've had to do it 3 times in my life and never had a problem. When the brakes fail, you need to use what you have. E-brake, curb, gear down, hope for the best.
  
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  by geek860 on January 29th, 2008
- I agree.. If you have no brakes use what you have. But when I see people using it for extended periods of time I get worried. It is not designed for that kind of use.
  
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  by csimme01 and Ninja Cooper UNMASKED on January 29th, 2008
- I use it when it's needed, and everytime I park. But the longest you should use it is to drive to the nearest garage for repairs. Never seen anyone use it as a primary and I hope I don't, but now I can see your concern.
  
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  by geek860 on January 29th, 2008
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by mr pecker on January 28th, 2008
you lose control of bodily fuctions and rearend the poor bastard in front of you!
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by Sheriff Raff -Answerhag on May 23rd, 2007
I know this from experience. Your braking power will be reduced from 100 percent to 10 percent.
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by geek860 on May 23rd, 2007
I think I need to set the record straight here...

First, let me explain what the master cylinder does quickly. The master cylinder contains a volume of brake fluid, has a cap, and (depending on the brake system setup) has two or more valves. The valves are the important parts as far as it functioning correctly. When you press on the brake pedal, vacuum pressure moves the valves to allow brake fluid to enter the brake lines. The brake fluid compresses the pistons in the calipers (disc brakes) and slows the vehicle. When you let off the brake pedal the fluid returns to the cylinder.

When the master cylinder doesn't work, the usual culprit is the valves (providing the brake fluid has been maintained). Therefore, brake fluid is unable (or restricted in) entering the brake lines and braking power is substantially reduced. When brake lines burst, the brake pedal goes to the floor since there is no resistance as far as brake fluid in the lines. When the master cylinder fails (at least in my experience) the brake pedal does not go down as usual. It will feel like it is stuck. A normal driver will immediately gear down, turn on the hazards, and prepare to work the emergency brake for stopping. The vehicle should pull over as soon as is safe. When a master cylinder fails it should be replaced.

Hope this helps,
Good luck
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- In other words..your brakes don't work. EXCEPT FOR THE E BRAKE..of course.
  
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  by Jade on May 23rd, 2007
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by wolfen on May 23rd, 2007
your brakes will act as if the brake lines been cut though normally the first sign is brake fluid leak down the back of the master cylinder before the seals/pistons totally go.
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What happens when the Master Cylinder does not work?

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