Bad Brake Master Cylinder?

[Matthew]

As you all know by now i am still having brake issues with my Daewoo. So before I take it to the shop today I decided to take it on a drive just to verify the problem is still there. Well it is still there but here are the details after taking it on a 10 minute drive around the neighborhood: Mashing the brake pedal to the floor the car stops quicker. Going about 40 mph and slamming on the brake pedal the car stops but it seems only the driver’s side front brake is working as when i mash the pedal the driver front wheel will lock up and skid on the pavement. Using both the brake pedal AND the ebrake together I can stop the car like normal. I can build up pedal pressure when the car is off but the second I start it (if not holding the pedal) I go to push the pedal and it makes a loud air hissing or escaping sound that can be heard in the entire car front and back seats and sinks right to the floor.

So after my test drive I have determined not only if I use both the pedal and ebrake I can stop normally just fine, but also popped the hood and looked at the brake booster. I can see by looking even though no brake fluid has leaked out of the fluid tank but looking where the tank meets the Power Brake Booster I can see brake fluid on the booster. Does this mean my Master Cylinder is bad? Is it easy to replace a Master Cylinder myself or should I leave it to a professional? Can I replace the master cylinder myself and just take it to a shop for a brake bleed since I do not have the equipment to bleed the brakes myself?

Topic

[James]

JEEZ!! Yeah that is insane bro. I cant believe that im so sorry for you man, well least you know what shop never to go back to.

[Matthew]

Is all car parts painted? I looked at the new Master Cylinder and it looks sliver it matches the Thermostat housing is this a protective coating? Any idea why they unhooked my battery?

[Matthew]

I think I forgot to mention that the reason the shop says its so expensive is “Because it’s a Daewoo” cant get parts. Which is total and utter BS cuz i can get pretty much every body part online and most all mechanical engine bay components at AutoZone. Afterall not only did AutoZone have a Metal Thermostat housing for a Daewoo (which was cheaper than the Aveo one) but they had it ON HAND and IN STOCK at the store.

[Trent “Teddy” Martin]

Where do you live Leo I can get a genuine one for $250 and generic for $55

[Matthew]

Minnesota

[Matthew]

Heres the new part now i can see why it is so expensive it a OE part:

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[Johnny K.]

thanks for that last picture, nothings in the way, no telling why they unhooked the battery to change that. maybe it was a 2-man brake job and your dinger was so loud and they were not smart enough to bypass the door jam switch for it? who knows with random mechanic shops. not to take away from the honest ones out there trying to make a living, but if you want the job done right. you need to do it yourself. with the internet and repair books/manuals out there and the auto parts stores having most of the tools you need to rent out for little or a holding fee only…theres no “professional” anymore. you will find that your going to do the same thing that they do. make an educated guess based on the information presented to them via the driver or the computer, and throw parts at it until its fixed. exept you pay them for their time and less choice in which parts get changed and with what type of replacement (in your case…expensive OE part instead of a general part that does the same thing for less) most importantly when buying your own parts…shop around. some places carry the same parts, but for less, and offer free shipping from store to store to make it more convienant for you. P.S. I just changed both front calipers, brake hoses and rotors on my astro van and continued to have braking issues, replaced the mastercylinder and now the right rear drum is locking up….so I know your frustrations. when working on cars…brake systems are my least favorite.

[Matthew]

[quote=”elitebyford” post=60847]thanks for that last picture, nothings in the way, no telling why they unhooked the battery to change that. maybe it was a 2-man brake job and your dinger was so loud and they were not smart enough to bypass the door jam switch for it? who knows with random mechanic shops. not to take away from the honest ones out there trying to make a living, but if you want the job done right. you need to do it yourself. with the internet and repair books/manuals out there and the auto parts stores having most of the tools you need to rent out for little or a holding fee only…theres no “professional” anymore. you will find that your going to do the same thing that they do. make an educated guess based on the information presented to them via the driver or the computer, and throw parts at it until its fixed. exept you pay them for their time and less choice in which parts get changed and with what type of replacement (in your case…expensive OE part instead of a general part that does the same thing for less) most importantly when buying your own parts…shop around. some places carry the same parts, but for less, and offer free shipping from store to store to make it more convienant for you. P.S. I just changed both front calipers, brake hoses and rotors on my astro van and continued to have braking issues, replaced the mastercylinder and now the right rear drum is locking up….so I know your frustrations. when working on cars…brake systems are my least favorite.[/quote]

I will stick to AutoZone or Online. NAPA i dont have good experience with other than light bulbs. When i needed my Thermostat NAPA didnt even stock it AutoZone had it on hand and in stock. AutoZone even did their best for a replacemtn PCV hose. When im due for an air filter ill get a K&N, I still will do Kmart for oil changes as its close buy i can get cheap Purculator Oil Filters and generic oil for around $2 a bottle.

[Author]

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