How Do I Know If My Rear Wheel Cylinder Is Bad?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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  1. Your car has poor brake response, and you’ll find that braking takes longer.
  2. Your brake pedal feels mushy, soft or the pedal sinks to the vehicle floor.
  3. There’s a brake fluid leak in your rear brake drum that pools near a rear wheel.
  4. The rear drum brakes drag or lock up.

Can I drive with a bad wheel cylinder?

It has a function to converts the force of your foot into hydraulic pressure. By pressing the brake pedal, the master cylinder releases the brake fluid into the braking system and your brakes are activated. …

It is not safe to drive with a bad master cylinder

because you basically do not have fully functional brakes.

What does a bad wheel cylinder sound like?

Your brakes make an unpleasant noise: Sometimes, a failing wheel cylinder can stick in the “on” position, pushing the brake shoes into permanent contact with the brake drum. This can make a

constant noise

, which may turn into a grinding sound if you neglect it, as the friction material wears away to the bare metal.

When should a wheel cylinder be replaced?

How often do brake wheel cylinders need to be replaced? Wheel cylinder failure on some vehicle’s is more frequent than others. On most vehicle’s, they will need replacement at some point. It is most common to replace wheel cylinders on vehicle’s with

over 75,000 miles

.

How do you check a wheel cylinder?

  1. Your car has poor brake response, and you’ll find that braking takes longer.
  2. Your brake pedal feels mushy, soft or the pedal sinks to the vehicle floor.
  3. There’s a brake fluid leak in your rear brake drum that pools near a rear wheel.
  4. The rear drum brakes drag or lock up.

How much does it cost to replace a wheel cylinder?

How Much Does A Brake Wheel Cylinder Replacement Cost? The cost will vary based on the make and model of the vehicle, and your location. But in general, it’ll average

between $200-$350.

Should I replace both wheel cylinders?

Some people think that if you have one bad wheel cylinder, you should replace them both. While this isn’t a bad idea, it’s not necessary.

You can just replace one wheel cylinder if it’s leaking

. … You can often crank out the self adjuster to spread the shoes away from the wheel cylinder to gain access to it.

What causes wheel cylinders to go bad?


Worn piston seals made out of rubber will wear out

and become brittle due to age. A cracked piston seal will allow fluid to leak past the pistons. Poor brake response and a mushy brake pedal are other signs it’s time for a replacement. A leaking wheel cylinder compromises the braking power of your vehicle.

What are the signs of a bad wheel bearing?

  • Humming Noise. The most easily identifiable and most common symptom of bad wheel bearings is an audible one. …
  • Squealing, Growling. …
  • Clicking Sound. …
  • Wheel Wobble. …
  • ABS Failure. …
  • Uneven Tire Wear. …
  • Vehicle Pulls to One Side. …
  • Steering Wheel Vibration.

How many wheel cylinder are in rear brakes?

Most of today’s vehicles have disc brakes at all

four wheels

. Some base models have disc on the front axle and drum on the rear, to keep costs down.

Are all wheel cylinders the same?

The

rear wheel cylinders should be interchangeable with the front wheel cylinders

. The drum set in the rear should be exactly the same as the front. If you are unsure then remove a wheel cylinder from the front and match it up with one from the rear – they should be the same.

How long should brake cylinder last?

In fact, most master cylinders will last for

well over 100,000 miles

before they’ll need to be replaced. Master cylinders last for this long because they don’t have many moving parts inside of them. They also operate within a system that is sealed off from dirt, dust, debris, brake fluid, and even air.

Can you repair a wheel cylinder?

Wheel

cylinders should be rebuilt or replaced in pairs

. Even if only one is leaking, it’s advisable to rebuild or replace both sides. If you find that only one is rebuildable, it’s OK to rebuild the one and replace the other with a new cylinder.

How much does it cost to replace rear brake cylinders?

Brake Wheel Cylinder Replacement Cost – RepairPal Estimate. Labor costs are

estimated between $94 and $119

while parts are priced between $62 and $71. This range does not include taxes and fees, and does not factor in your specific vehicle or unique location. Related repairs may also be needed.

Are brake cylinders expensive?

If your brake master cylinder ends up going bad, the average cost to replace the cylinder will usually be

between $320 and $500

. The biggest expense when replacing the brake master cylinder in your car is the labor costs, which will come in between an average of $230-$300 for the total brake master cylinder cost.

Can I drive with a leaking brake line?

A lot of people who think they might have a break fluid like typically ask, “Can you drive with a brake fluid leak?” and the answer is no.

It is not good for the car if you continue to drive the

car with any type of leak. Even if the leak isn’t caused by brake fluid, a leak is still a cause for concern.

David Evans
Author
David Evans
David is a seasoned automotive enthusiast. He is a graduate of Mechanical Engineering and has a passion for all things related to cars and vehicles. With his extensive knowledge of cars and other vehicles, David is an authority in the industry.