How to Replace the Master Cylinder of a 1989 Honda Accord

The master cylinder on your 1989 Honda Accord is attached to the power-assist brake booster. The reservoir, which holds the brake fluid, is made of plastic and it is removable. The master cylinder incorporates both a primary, as well as a secondary piston assembly. This design is referred to as a "split" system. It uses one circuit to control the left front and the right rear brakes.The other circuit controls the right front and left rear brakes. If one circuit becomes inoperative, the other will still stop the vehicle.

Instructions

1

Raise the hood of your Accord and locate the master cylinder. It is bolted to the front of the brake booster.

2

Remove as much of the brake fluid as you can from the fluid reservoirs. You can use a hand pump or a syringe to do this.

3

Place some old shop rags under the fittings, to catch any spilled brake fluid.

4

Unplug the electrical connector at the master cylinder. Remove the two brake line fittings by turning them counterclockwise with a wrench. Place a plastic bag over the line ends.This will keep dirt from entering the lines.

5

Remove the mounting bolts at the base of the master cylinder by turning them counterclockwise with a wrench. Pull the master cylinder off of the brake booster.

6

Place the new master cylinder into place on the brake booster. Tighten the mounting bolts by turning them clockwise with a wrench.

7

Remove the plastic bag from the bake line fittings. Tighten the two brake line fittings by turning them clockwise with a wrench. Reconnect the electrical connector.

8

Refill the reservoir with new fluid and bleed the master cylinder to remove air from the line. Have a friend pump the brakes a few times and then hold the pedal down. While he holds the pedal down, loosen each fitting nut slightly to let the air escape. Keep doing this until there are no more bubbles in the fluid.