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Stop Right There!

July 5, 2026

Your vehicle’s brakes are only as good as its master cylinder.  This part is truly is the heart of your braking system, because if it isn’t working the way it should, the rest of the brake system can’t either.  

The master cylinder is what takes the pressure you put on the brake pedal and ultimately converts that into hydraulic pressure.  That hydraulic force then heads to your brakes’ calipers or wheel cylinders and eventually allows you to slow down or stop.  Pretty important, right?

How can you know there might be some problems with your master cylinder? Your brake pedal might feel soft and mushy, you may see the brake warning or ABS light come on.  You might get out of your vehicle and notice fluid on the ground, which could be brake fluid leaking.  

Other signs your master cylinder needs attention include inconsistent braking (sometimes grabby or sometimes weak), dark, dirty brake fluid or a brake pedal that slowly sinks farther down. If you see any of these signs, it’s time to bring your vehicle in so we can inspect what’s going on.

A technician will look for any leaks, inspect the brake fluid’s color and level, see what the brake pedal feels like and test the vehicle’s hydraulic pressure.  If they determine you need a new master cylinder, the technician will remove the old one, remove all the air bubbles from the new master cylinder and then replace it in your vehicle.  Finally, the technician will take your vehicle for a final test drive and you’ll be back on the road, stopping with confidence.

Gary Knurek GoodYear
1973 Livernois
Troy, Michigan 48083
248-362-0350

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