Volvo 850 Brake Master Cylinder Replacement at your home or office.

Our mobile mechanics offer services 7 days a week. Upfront and transparent pricing.

Estimate price near me

Service Location

Customer Ratings

(47)

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.

Customer Ratings

(47)

Brake Master Cylinder Replacement Service

How much does a Brake Master Cylinder Replacement cost?

On average, the cost for a Volvo 850 Brake Master Cylinder Replacement is $432 with $292 for parts and $140 for labor. Prices may vary depending on your location.

CarServiceEstimateShop/Dealer Price
1997 Volvo 850L5-2.4LService typeBrake Master Cylinder ReplacementEstimate$816.82Shop/Dealer Price$968.30 - $1410.59
1996 Volvo 850L5-2.3L TurboService typeBrake Master Cylinder ReplacementEstimate$803.31Shop/Dealer Price$952.14 - $1392.44
1994 Volvo 850L5-2.3L TurboService typeBrake Master Cylinder ReplacementEstimate$915.99Shop/Dealer Price$1110.35 - $1689.24
1996 Volvo 850L5-2.4LService typeBrake Master Cylinder ReplacementEstimate$803.31Shop/Dealer Price$952.17 - $1392.50
1994 Volvo 850L5-2.4LService typeBrake Master Cylinder ReplacementEstimate$915.99Shop/Dealer Price$1111.82 - $1691.82
1997 Volvo 850L5-2.4L TurboService typeBrake Master Cylinder ReplacementEstimate$803.31Shop/Dealer Price$952.38 - $1392.87
1995 Volvo 850L5-2.3L TurboService typeBrake Master Cylinder ReplacementEstimate$988.99Shop/Dealer Price$1184.30 - $1763.90
1993 Volvo 850L5-2.4LService typeBrake Master Cylinder ReplacementEstimate$915.99Shop/Dealer Price$1110.35 - $1689.24
Show example Volvo 850 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 Volvo mechanics

Real customer reviews from Volvo owners like you.

Excellent Rating

(47)

Rating Summary
44
2
0
1
0
44
2
0
1
0

Ben

42 years of experience
1589 reviews
Ben
42 years of experience
Volvo 850 L5-2.4L - Car is making a noise - Houston, Texas
excellent mechanic

Joshua

28 years of experience
709 reviews
Joshua
28 years of experience
Volvo 850 L5-2.3L Turbo - Intake Manifold Gaskets - Vallejo, California
Joshua, Was prompt,friendly and knowledgeable .I would recommend to anyone that's looking for mechanic. The cost of repair is way below of repair book quotes. Thank you, Gregorio

Matthew

12 years of experience
53 reviews
Matthew
12 years of experience
Volvo 850 L5-2.4L - Battery - Inglewood, California
Matthew was a great mechanic he went above and beyond to help get the car fixed very nice guy very reliable I will choose Matthew for any problems I have with my car in the future.

Andrew

16 years of experience
657 reviews
Andrew
16 years of experience
Volvo 850 L5-2.4L - Ignition Coil - Troutdale, Oregon
A little late today, but overall he did a great job fixing my mom's car.

Excellent Rating

(47)

Rating Summary
44
2
0
1
0
44
2
0
1
0
Number of Volvo 850 services completed
517+
services done by our mechanics
TOTAL NUMBER OF EXPERT Volvo MECHANICS
600+
experts on our platform

Recent articles & questions

P0349 OBD-II Trouble Code: Camshaft Position Sensor A Circuit Intermittent (Bank 2)
P0349 P0349 code definition Your vehicle’s PCM has found an improper wave form or voltage reading from the camshaft circuit A in engine bank 2. What the P0349 code means The camshaft position sensor (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/camshaft-position-sensor-replacement) works with the notches, or...
Nitrogen Vs. Air in your Tires
There are benefits to using air or nitrogen for tire inflation depending on your day-to-day driving conditions.
How to Buy a Good Quality Car Roof Rack
If If your car didn’t come with a roof rack from the automaker, don’t worry. There’s still hope. You can purchase an aftermarket roof rack. These will give you the ability to carry loads on the top of your car,...

How can I tell if it's my timing chain or something else?

Hi, thanks for writing in. Unfortunately, I will need a bit more information before confirming if the issue lies in your timing chain or not. Your car can certainly run and start with a timing issue, however it is not...

If I can hear my fuel pump does that mean its not bad?

Hello. If the fuel pump is loud then that can mean that it is failing. I have also had many fuel pumps make noise for quite some time without having any issues. The only way to know for sure would...

Car starting at 1000 RPM, having brake issues

It sounds like you might have a vacuum leak at your brake booster, or maybe the booster itself is bad. The booster uses engine vacuum to assist the brake pedal so when it fails, you can get a vacuum leak,...

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 (844) 997-3624 · hi@yourmechanic.com