Brake Master Cylinder: Description and Operation

Fig 1 Aluminum Master Cylinder (Cut Away View):

The body of the two piece master cylinder, is made of aluminum and the reservoir is made of glass reinforced nylon.

The two compartments of the reservoir are interconnected to permit equalization of the fluid level. However a sufficient quantity of fluid is retained in the reservoir of the unaffected system to permit operation of that half of the master cylinder even if the other half of the reservoir is drained due to a hydraulic leak.

The forward most outlet tube from the master cylinder is connected to the hydraulic system control valve and then to the rear brakes. this system is referred to as the secondary. The rear most outlet tube from the master cylinder is connected to the control valve and the front brakes. this system is referred to as primary.