Pontiac Firebird Brake Master Cylinder Replacement Costs

Estimate price near me

Service Location

Customer Ratings

Included for free with this service

Online Booking

Mechanic comes to you

12-month / 12k-mile warranty

Free 50 point safety inspection

Our certified mobile mechanics can come to your home or office 7 days a week between 7 AM and 9 PM.

See availability

Customer Ratings

Brake Master Cylinder Replacement Service

How much does a Brake Master Cylinder Replacement cost?

On average, the cost for a Pontiac Firebird Brake Master Cylinder Replacement is $223 with $69 for parts and $154 for labor. Prices may vary depending on your location.

Car	Service	Estimate	Shop/Dealer Price
1992 Pontiac FirebirdV8-5.0L	Service typeBrake Master Cylinder Replacement	Estimate$307.54	Shop/Dealer Price$345.76 - $451.51
2001 Pontiac FirebirdV8-5.7L	Service typeBrake Master Cylinder Replacement	Estimate$630.01	Shop/Dealer Price$735.51 - $1045.84
1994 Pontiac FirebirdV6-3.4L	Service typeBrake Master Cylinder Replacement	Estimate$495.41	Shop/Dealer Price$567.30 - $776.71
2002 Pontiac FirebirdV8-5.7L	Service typeBrake Master Cylinder Replacement	Estimate$630.01	Shop/Dealer Price$735.55 - $1045.90
1991 Pontiac FirebirdV8-5.0L	Service typeBrake Master Cylinder Replacement	Estimate$297.63	Shop/Dealer Price$335.55 - $441.08
1991 Pontiac FirebirdV8-5.7L	Service typeBrake Master Cylinder Replacement	Estimate$297.63	Shop/Dealer Price$334.09 - $438.52
1993 Pontiac FirebirdV6-3.4L	Service typeBrake Master Cylinder Replacement	Estimate$495.41	Shop/Dealer Price$567.32 - $776.74
1995 Pontiac FirebirdV8-5.7L	Service typeBrake Master Cylinder Replacement	Estimate$495.41	Shop/Dealer Price$567.30 - $776.70

Show example Pontiac Firebird Brake Master Cylinder Replacement prices

What is the brake master cylinder and how does it work?

The brake master cylinder has a piston that pressurizes fluid in the brake lines to each wheel cylinder as you apply force to the brake pedal. That pressure moves the pistons that are in the wheel cylinders. As the pistons in those wheel cylinders move, they force the brake pads or shoes tightly against the rotors or drums allowing the car to stop quickly.

The size of the pistons in the master cylinder and in the wheel cylinders are carefully selected when designing a car. This allows drivers to apply moderate pressure on the brake pedal when stopping, but creates tremendous pressure applied at the wheel cylinders. A car can then stop quickly even at high speeds. Depending on how much force is applied to the brake pedal, the pressure in a car’s brake lines will typically be in the range of 800 PSI to 2,000 PSI.

Master Cylinder

When to replace the master cylinder?

External fluid leaks. There should be no fluid visible on the external surfaces of any portion of the master cylinder or the plastic fluid reservoir.
Low, slowly falling, or spongy brake pedal. Faulty internal seals on the piston can cause internal leaks and also seepage of brake fluid into the power assist brake booster. Internal leaks will typically be accompanied by a low pedal, a spongy brake pedal, or a pedal that slowly sinks as you maintain pressure. In all cases, you will experience reduced braking abilities.
Discolored brake fluid. No brake fluids, other than those specified for the year, make, and model, are fully compatible with a car’s internal rubber seals in the master cylinder. Discoloration of brake fluid can also occur due to moisture and particulate contaminants in the fluid.
Warning lights on the dash. If the brake system warning light illuminates, there are several potential causes but failure of the master cylinder is in the list of causes that would have to be investigated.

How do mechanics replace the brake master cylinder?

On vehicles with power brakes, the master cylinder is bolted to the metal housing of the power brake booster. There is usually an electrical plug connecting to a brake fluid level sensor on the master cylinder reservoir and that plug must be disconnected.
Once all steel brake lines are disconnected from the master cylinder, the master cylinder is unbolted from the brake booster and removed from the vehicle.
The new master cylinder must be bench-bled to expel air from internal passages that contain the piston. Then the new master cylinder is bolted to the brake booster and the brake lines are reattached. The electrical plug for the fluid level sensor is reconnected.
Whenever a new master cylinder is installed, brakes lines to wheel positions must be bled to remove air, old fluid and contaminants. If your vehicle is equipped with anti-lock brakes, the mechanic may use a bidirectional scan tool during brake bleeding to actuate the ABS pump, thus ensuring that all air is removed from the complex valving in the ABS system.
All brake line connections that were removed during the master cylinder replacement are inspected for any leakage and the vehicle is road tested to ensure normal operation of the brakes.

Is it safe to drive with a master cylinder problem?

No, any fault in the master cylinder, which is part of the braking system creates a safety risk. A fully operational brake system is essential to quickly stopping your car. Driving a vehicle isn’t safe, if the master cylinder is leaking or has other faults, as braking distances might be longer than normal. The braking system on a vehicle is among the most important safety systems and must be fully functional to safely drive your vehicle.

When replacing the master cylinder keep in mind:

The master cylinder is only one component of many in a vehicle’s braking system. During replacement of the master cylinder, all vehicle braking system components should be inspected to ensure maximum braking power is available.
The amount of friction material remaining on the brake pads and brake shoes should be verified.
Brake lines and flexible rubber hoses at each wheel position should be inspected for corrosion and deterioration.
The power brake booster should be evaluated to ensure that power assist is working properly.

Fast and easy service at your home or office

Backed by 12-month, 12.000-mile guarantee

Meet some of our expert Pontiac mechanics

Real customer reviews from Pontiac owners like you.

Excellent Rating

(138)

Rating Summary

130

2

2

2

2

130

2

2

2

2

SEE REVIEWS NEAR ME

Matthew

28 years of experience

1146 reviews

Request Matthew

Matthew

28 years of experience

Request Matthew

by Robert veenstrs

Firebird 1967 - Brake Wheel Cylinder - Newport News, VA

Always a pleasure to have Matthew work on my car. I have learned so much from him about how to maintain my vehicle.

Matthew

28 years of experience

1146 reviews

Request Matthew

Matthew

28 years of experience

Request Matthew

by Robert veenstrs

Firebird 1967 - Brake Shoes (Rear) - Newport News, VA

Always a pleasure to have Matthew work on my car. I have learned so much from him about how to maintain my vehicle.

Anthony

25 years of experience

96 reviews

Request Anthony

Anthony

25 years of experience

Request Anthony

by Janet Frost

Firebird 1987 - Pre-purchase Car Inspection - St James, NY

More than accommodating. Went way out of his way to explain things and I felt he was very honest and actually caring for my situation. Thank you Sir You are trully a gentlemen

Anthony

5 years of experience

85 reviews

Request Anthony

Anthony

5 years of experience

Request Anthony

by MaKaylah Armstrong

Firebird 1989 - Valve Cover Gasket - Citrus Heights, CA

He’s a dope mechanic and he gets the job done quick I would highly recommend to book your appointments through Anthony

Excellent Rating

(138)

Rating Summary

130

2

2

2

2

130

2

2

2

2

SEE REVIEWS NEAR ME

Recent articles & questions

A Buyer’s Guide to the 2013 Infiniti JX35

Designed Designed for those who need plenty of seating capacity but don’t want to drive a minivan, the 2013 Infiniti JX35 hits the mark for luxury vehicles in its class. With innovations that chosen for their convenience and safety, this...

What are the Car Pool Rules in Kansas?

While While many people think of Kansas as being a state that’s primarily rural, there are lots of cities and freeways, and lots of rules and regulations (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/rules-of-the-road-for-kansas-drivers-by-valerie-mellema) that go with them. Kansas drivers heavily rely on the state’s many...

How to Replace an Air Fuel Ratio Sensor

The air fuel ratio sensor fails within a vehicle if the check engine light comes on. Poor engine performance results from oxygen sensor failure.

My car showtimes take a few times to start. It turns off while I'm driving & sometimes jerks. I was told it's my crank sensor?

Hi there, thanks for writing in. In short, yes, a crank position sensor (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/symptoms-of-a-bad-or-failing-crankshaft-position-sensor) that is damaged or out of alignment can cause the symptoms you are describing above. The crank positioning sensor monitors the position and rotational speed of...

Wipers are not working

Hi there: There are several individual components that must all work together in order to correctly activate the windshield wipers. However, the most common cause of the issues you're describing is a bad or failing windshield wiper switch (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/symptoms-of-a-bad-or-failing-windshield-wiper-switch). It...

I'm trying to get a code for my t5 radio can u help plrase

How can we help?

Our service team is available 7 days a week, Monday - Friday from 6 AM to 5 PM PST, Saturday - Sunday 7 AM - 4 PM PST.

1 (855) 347-2779 · hi@yourmechanic.com