The brake master cylinder is the heart of your vehicle’s braking system, with a reservoir full of brake fluid and pistons that ultimately send pressurized brake fluid down the brake lines when you step on the brake pedal, which causes your brakes to operate.
When should you replace a brake master cylinder?
While the brake master cylinder should last your car’s lifetime, it might need replacement if you notice a leak or if you experience poor braking, mushy brake pedal response, brake fluid leaks or unusual sounds from your brakes. Note that you will need to go through diagnostics to ensure that the problem is coming from the brake master cylinder, as some brake problems can exhibit similar symptoms.
How much does a brake master cylinder cost to replace?
The average cost to replace a brake master cylinder is $410 to $950. The cost of the brake master cylinder varies depending on what vehicle you have and it influences the cost of the repair. In fact, take a look how a 2015 Ford F-150 has multiple brake master cylinders:
| Part | Variant | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Brake master cylinder BRMC281 (HL3Z2140E) | Fits 2015-17 Ford F-150 with electric parking brake | $261.82 |
| Brake master cylinder (AT) BRMC203 (DC3Z2140B) | Fits 2014-15 Ford F-150 with Transmission Control Type: Automatic, w/ Hydro Boost, w/o Traction Control, w/o Trailer Sway Control | $301.82 |
| Brake master cylinder BRMC293 (JL3Z2140A) | Fits 2014-20 Ford F-150 with mechanical parking brake | $165.82 |
Here are prices for other makes:
| Vehicle | Part number | Source | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 Kia Soul 1.6L AT Base | 58510B2800 | Kia | $512.81 |
| 2012 Honda CR-V | 46100-T0B-A02 | Honda Parts Now | $313.75 |
| 2019 BMW 540i | 34336881095 | FCP Euro | $406.99 |
As you can see, prices are all over the place for parts — ranging from around $150 for the Ford F-150 to $512 for the Kia Soul.
How long does it take to replace a brake master cylinder?
Replacing a brake master cylinder is a laborious process where not only will your mechanic need to swap out the brake master cylinder, they’ll also have to do a bleed (to remove air bubbles from the system) and to adjust the pushrod if necessary. Expect that the full process will take anywhere from around 1.3 hours to about 3.4 hours.
Mechanics’ per-hour rates across the United States now range from $110 to $175.This means that the labor cost for a brake master cylinder replacement could be as low as $143 (1.3 hours at $110/hour) and as high as $595 (3.4 hours at $175/hour).
Do you have to bleed the brakes after replacing the master cylinder?
Yes, you must bleed your brakes after replacing the master cylinder or else trapped air will cause your braking to feel weak and spongy. This is because air is compressible and therefore dampens some of the braking force you send via the brake pedal – leading to poorer braking performance.
How do you replace a brake master cylinder?
Replacing a brake master cylinder isn’t too difficult, but steps vary depending on the vehicle you have. Generally, you’d go through these steps to replace a typical brake master cylinder:
- Remove the old master cylinder by removing connected brake lines then unscrew the mounting bolts that hold the master cylinder.
- Bench bleed the master cylinder, then connect the hydraulic lines and install it onto the brake booster
- Tighten the brake lines and ensure there are no leaks.
- Top off your brake fluid reservoir
- Bleed the brakes — you will either need a second person to help you with this or a kit that helps you do it solo.
Xuyun Zeng is a content strategist with a wide-ranging content background including tech, journalism, cars and health care. After graduating with highest honors in journalism, Xuyun led a newspaper to win eight awards, helped start an award-winning film industry podcast and has written over a hundred articles about cars repair, state laws and insurance. Prior to joining Jerry, Xuyun worked as a freelance SEO consultant with a mission to create the best content that will help readers and grow organic traffic.
Chris Burkhardt is a writer and editor with over a decade of experience across various storytelling mediums. With Jerry, Chris hopes to help anyone with a question about their vehicle easily find the answers they are looking for. Whether you need to know how much insurance costs for a classic car, how to replace a broken light or tell if you need an oil change, Chris wants to help you find solutions the best he can. Prior to joining Jerry, Chris was a digital content producer and writer for NBC and a freelance editor for NerdWallet. A graduate of the University of Oregon’s School of Journalism and Communication, if Chris is not working on content, he’s sure to be found cheering on his Ducks!
