How to Replace a Master Cylinder for a 94 Beretta

The master cylinder stores the brake fluid for the car's brake system. You need to replace a cylinder that is leaking fluid or otherwise improperly sending fluid to the brakes. The brake system on a 1994 Chevrolet Beretta is more electronically controlled than most other models, so there are more components that you must deal with on this model. This process will send air into the brake system, so you must bleed the entire system of air.

Instructions

Removal

1

Disconnect the car's negative battery cable.

2

Unplug the electrical connectors on the master cylinder's two solenoids, the electrical connector on the fluid level sensor and the two motor pack electrical connectors.

3

Detach the four brake lines from the master cylinder, using the wrench on their fittings, then cap the lines with rubber plugs or caps.

4

Unscrew and remove the retainers connecting the master cylinder to the brake booster using a ratchet or socket wrench. Lift the cylinder and hydraulic modulator out of the engine.

Installation

5

Position the master cylinder and modulator within the engine, making sure the cylinder engages the brake booster, and tighten the cylinder's fasteners to 20 foot-pounds.

6

Connect the brake lines to the cylinder and tighten their nuts to 15 foot-pounds.

7

Connect all the electrical connectors to the cylinder, then reconnect the battery cable.

8

Fill the master cylinder at the reservoir with DOT 3 brake fluid.

Bleeding

9

Raise the car and support it on jack stands, then remove all four wheels.

10

Connect a tube to the bleeder valve on the right rear brake caliper and submerge the tube in a small bottle partially full of brake fluid.

11

Loosen the caliper's bleeder screw with a wrench while a second person pushes on the brake pedal -- this pushes air and fluid out of the tube and into the bottle. Close the screw, have a second person release the pedal and repeat until there are no more air bubbles.

12

Repeat the previous two steps for the left rear, right front and left front wheels in that order. Keep an eye on the fluid level in the master cylinder reservoir and fill it with more fresh fluid as needed.

13

Reconnect the wheels, lower the car and refill the master cylinder reservoir as needed.