so my brake master cylinder went out today

[Neu]

I found the cylinder, reman, at carquest for 32 dollars with core. (I have a good discount with them.)

Now, the problem is I can't get the cylinder in till monday, what're the negatives of driving without the cylinder in full working order? I can still stop, it just..takes longer. I've changed my driving habits so it's safer.

So..negatives?

[splatterdog]

Mainly- using your front bumper for deceleration.

Sometimes a quick hard application will get it to "kick in". Even the slightest release will cause the pedal to fall back down though. What happens is, the rapid pressure buildup will help seat the lip of the piston cups against the cylinder wall. Lose that pressure for even a second and the fluid goes around it allowing the pedal to drop.

Lots of downshifting too.....

[Petros]

mine went out rather suddenly, it fist went mushy, and the next day it would not stop the car at all. Even if I pumped the brake pedal (this usually works with a bad master cyl). I would not advise it. If you have to, go slow and keep a hand over the parking brake lever, and realize the parking brake does not stop very good.

It happened to me on sunday and I had to have my car on monday. I had two junk master cylinders in the parts pile, so I took all three apart (it only took about 15 min to get it out of the car and apart). I polished the inside with 800 grit wet and dry sand paper, used all the best of the used parts, and reintalled it. It worked great, and I am still driving it a year and half later.

Though I intend to replace it when I do my front brakes in the next six months.

BTW, a rebuild kit is a bit cheaper than a rebuilt one, but not a lot cheaper.

[Neu]

At 32 dollars it's hard to find a repair kit that's cheaper than this reman master cylinder.

But what're the negatives of going ..say a week, without repairing it?

I've only had 1 close call so far, I locked up my front tires, slide for a little bit, but downshifted quickly a got it back under control. This was while I was quickly coming up on a not-moving car. It worked out fine though.

[takza]

Negatives? Not being able to stop and running into something? My theory is that while it's one thing to not be able to go...you can't get hurt in the driveway..it's another not being able to stop. Gonna cost a lot more than $32 if your insurance rates go up?

[Neu]

I can stop just fine.

That's not the problem.

I'm just wondering if there are any mechanical downsides

[ARCHINSTL]

Neu -
We don't want to lose you - and I ain't jokin'.
Tom M.

[Dryfry]

I hope Neu got his master cylinder problem sorted out properly..
Mine slowly went but I got mine swapped over with a rebuilt one from a brake parts shop.

[Neu]

I hope Neu got his master cylinder problem sorted out properly..
Mine slowly went but I got mine swapped over with a rebuilt one from a brake parts shop.

I'm borrowing a pickup until i get it fixed.

we were up hunting in my tercel and the brakes went 100 % out. It wasn't the master cylinder, it was the rear drums, they were leaking incredibly badly. The rear pistons/cylinders were completely out.

[Neu]

so i fixed it all this weekend. New wheel cylinders and shoes/pads. It wasn't as bad as I thought it'd be to replace the shoes, but it wasn't fun either. Needle nose were incredibly handy. Stops alright, I need to bleed them again though.

[Typrus]

From my experience, Carquest remans feel kind of mushy and sometimes don't seem to fit right. I had to shim out the one for our 82 Corolla-Tercel. Adjustment just wouldn't adjustmantize enough. And in silver, it was always squishier than my original had been before my failure, and I bled it almost every other month.

My failure? Going 80mph on I-25, get on the off ramp behind a semi, who start slowing down. I go to hit the pedal. Annnnd... Floor. Try again. Floor. AAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!
lol. Pretty much freaked out pretty badly. Slapped it into 2nd and started feathering the e-brake. lol. And had another 16 or so miles to get home from I-25. Lol. Over Horsetooth, for those familiar with the Fort Collins area. THAT was a harrowing experience.
Good to hear you got it going again safely!