4th Generation Maxima (1995-1999) Visit the 4th Generation forum to ask specific questions or find out more about the 4th Generation Maxima.

Bad Master Cylinder?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Apr 17, 2013 | 04:29 PM
  #1  
BlackThornDemon's Avatar
Thread Starter
Member
 
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 277
From: 19526
Bad Master Cylinder?

As you can see in my other thread. Just did some brake work. The problem now is when the engine is running the brake pedal falls to the floor. It has nice firm pressure when the engine is off.

So I pulled the abs fuse. Same problem.
Re-bled the brakes. Same problem.
Pulled the vacuum booster line off, plugged up the manifold hole. Problem is gone.

So the theory would seem to be that with the new fluid (yes DOT 3) the vacuum booster supplies enough pressure to the master cylinder that the fluid flows from the high pressure side into the res.

Right?
Old Apr 17, 2013 | 04:58 PM
  #2  
njmaxseltd's Avatar
Member who somehow became The President of The SE-L Club
iTrader: (19)
 
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 16,024
The vacuum booster only assists to depress the m/c plunger. The reason it's very stiff when there is no vacuum is because you have no help applying pressure to the system. It's very difficult to stop a car when the vacuum booster isn't operating. (Very stiff pedal)
With that said, it does sound like the m/c isn't producing pressure. Are you certain all the components are working correctly and all the air is indeed out of the system?
Old Apr 19, 2013 | 05:44 AM
  #3  
slfalco's Avatar
Member
 
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 237
From: Hyde Park, NY
Sounds like air in the master cylinder, sometimes they need to be bench bled before attaching them to the car.
Old Apr 19, 2013 | 08:55 AM
  #4  
cashoit's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 4,005
From: Worcester, MA
Either air is in the line or the MC is toast
Old Apr 21, 2013 | 01:22 AM
  #5  
CMax03's Avatar
Senior Member
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 9,587
From: Houston, Tx
when you bleed your system start here:
1. Right Rear
2. Left rear
3. Right Front
4. Left Front
Ensure you keep plenty of fluid in the reservoir...I find the push pedal>open bleed screw>close bleed screw>release pedal.... method moves fluid faster....
Old Apr 22, 2013 | 07:09 AM
  #6  
bobflood's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 400
From: Powder Springs, GA
+1 to above suggestion. Even better method, get a small hand operated vacuum pump (about $30 at Harbor Freight) and bleed from the caliper bleed valve. Same order of wheels as above, vacuum until you have clear fluid coming out, just make sure the reservoir NEVER gets empty. You can do this by yourself, and it's pretty quick. Good luck.
Old Apr 22, 2013 | 12:35 PM
  #7  
BlackThornDemon's Avatar
Thread Starter
Member
 
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 277
From: 19526
For $30 I could get a pressure bleeder. Which I might do.
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
jmlee44
4th Generation Maxima (1995-1999)
8
Oct 2, 2022 02:13 PM
chisam14
6th Generation Maxima (2004-2008)
1
Nov 6, 2018 08:56 PM
My Coffee
New Member Introductions
15
Jun 6, 2017 02:01 PM
knight_yyz
5th Generation Classifieds (2000-2003)
12
Nov 1, 2015 01:34 PM




All times are GMT -7. The time now is 04:27 PM.