Selecting the ideal master cylinder for your 4 wheel disc brakes can make all the difference in how secure and comfortable you feel while braking. It’s a trial-and-error process that depends on pedal feel and personal preference.
No matter whether your brake setup is drum or disc, a good master cylinder will provide enough fluid volume for all four calipers. A dual master cylinder designed specifically for disc/drum brakes will have two distinct reservoir sizes.
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Brake Pedal Feel
By pressing down on the brake pedal, you are translating your force into hydraulic pressure that moves larger pistons in calipers and wheel cylinders to clamp down on rotors and stop your vehicle’s engine.
This process is accomplished through the master cylinder and brake lines running from it to the calipers and wheel cylinders. If your calipers or wheel cylinders don’t have enough fluid in them, it may cause your brake pedal to feel soft.
A 4 wheel disc brake master cylinder is designed to supply the correct amount of hydraulic fluid volume to all four calipers in order to ensure adequate braking power. If one caliper runs out and you experience a soft or spongy brake pedal, it could be due to a malfunctioning proportioning valve.
If you are having issues with a spongy or soft brake pedal, it’s best to get it checked out by a mechanic. They can identify the source of the issue and make necessary repairs quickly.
Brake Pedal Travel
If your brake pedal feels spongy and your pedal travels down to the floor, there may be a loss of hydraulic pressure in your master cylinder. This could occur if there’s either an internal leak or damaged piston seals.
Brakes function by employing a large rubber diaphragm that connects to the master-cylinder piston via valves on either side. When the driver presses down on the pedal, one valve on the rear side closes and an air inlet valve opens from outside.
Normally, brakes are applied until they have stopped the car and then the driver ceases applying pressure to the pedal. However, pressing too hard may cause your system to run out of hydraulic fluid, leaving your brakes feeling spongy.
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Brake Pedal Lever
Your 4 wheel disc brake master cylinder is essential to the performance of your brakes. It provides hydraulic pressure to your calipers, ensuring they grip onto rotors and prevent spinning wheels.
The pistons inside the master cylinder act like plungers, pushing brake fluid through its two chambers. From there it travels along brake lines to your four wheels where it forces those same pistons into action to apply the brakes.
By pressing down on the brake pedal, a pushrod is pulled into one end of your master cylinder and continues along its course until reaching each of your calipers.
The amount of fluid pressure your master cylinder supplies depends on both its bore size and the net effective piston bore area of your calipers. This ratio can be calculated with some simple math.
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Brake Pedal Bias
The 4 wheel disc brake master cylinder is responsible for converting the force you apply on the brake pedal into hydraulic pressure that operates the brake calipers. As such, the size of piston within this master cylinder plays a significant role in determining how much fluid pressure can be created by applying certain amounts of pedal force.
The larger the master cylinder bore area (in square inches), the greater the pressure generated by applying pedal force. This becomes an important factor when setting brake bias.
That is why it’s essential to adjust your brake bias before installing any new components. A minor alteration, such as changing the master cylinder piston diameter, can significantly affect the bias setting.