Master Cylinder Leaks...

[MENINBLK]

Got the dreaded brake light today.

Looked at the fluid level in my Master Cylinder and thought it was a little low since all the pads and rotors were only replaced about 30k miles ago.

Took a closer look and found the brake booster wet under the Master Cylinder.

Has anyone had their Master Cylinder replaced and how much did it cost ?

[Marauderjack]

Yes sir....had the same problem as you have about 6 months ago!!:argue:

Ordered a new one....installed and bled the lines.....took about and hour and a half and I was good to go!!:beer:

Give it a whirl.....it ain't that tough!!:shake:

PS: Are you from Lumberton, NC???

[SpartaPerformance]

Agreed it needs to be replaced and it is pretty straight forward. As for cost If I'm not mistaken the 03 has a unique master but the 04 has a generic Ford one so cost can vary but don't quote me on that.

[Bradley G]

Someone show me how to get 30K out of a set of brakes!:P

[MENINBLK]

Someone show me how to get 30K out of a set of brakes!:P

I changed all 4 sets of pads with new COMMAND rotors at 75k miles.
I have 106k on the Marauder now. 30k miles later.
Pads are fine, Master Cylinder is shot...

[MENINBLK]

PS: Are you from Lumberton, NC???

Close... Pembroke. :coolman:

[Bradley G]

I heard those Command rotors are an excellent choice.
If weight is an indication of thier quality, you should be quite pleased with them. I heard many service( Po PO)
vehicles use them.

I changed all 4 sets of pads with new COMMAND rotors at 75k miles.
I have 106k on the Marauder now. 30k miles later.
Pads are fine, Master Cylinder is shot...

[2vmodular]

be warned that the nuts which hold the master cylinder onto the power brake booster have a tendency to seize to the studs. these are galvanized from the factory, but several northeastern winters will wear this coating away and rust-lock the two parts together.

seized fasteners on the booster usually spin off with a pneumatic air impact wrench and penetrating oil. but they could be a significant problem if you've only got access to regular handtools.

[2vmodular]

actually the 2003 master cylinder is more generic than the 2004 one. the 2004 one has extra parts inside for the traction control system.

here's what's inside the 2003 marauder master cylinders:

http://www.p71interceptor.com/brakesystem/hydraulic/disassembly/mastercylinder/2004/

and here's what's inside the 2004 marauder master cylinders:

http://www.p71interceptor.com/brakesystem/hydraulic/disassembly/mastercylinder/2004marauder/


As for cost If I'm not mistaken the 03 has a unique master but the 04 has a generic Ford one so cost can vary but don't quote me on that.

[BigCars4Ever]

I tried to get a Grand Marquis rebuilt but it was not the same as my 04. The dealer showed the 04 had a unique part number. Set me back about $230. I kept the old. I hope I can find someone to rebuild it.

[2vmodular]

the piston bores in recent ford master cylinders have an anodized aluminum coating that wears away with use. you need to overbore the master cylinder and install a stainless steel sleeve to get good service life out of a rebuild.

back in the old days, rebuilding a master cylinder was easy. you could hone out the cast iron bore, install some new seals and you're done. now it's either sleeve the master cylinder or replace the master cylinder bore casting with a new one.


I tried to get a Grand Marquis rebuilt but it was not the same as my 04. The dealer showed the 04 had a unique part number. Set me back about $230. I kept the old. I hope I can find someone to rebuild it.

[2vmodular]

selecting a master cylinder for a 2003+ crownvic/grandmarq/towncar/marauder is easy. there are only two different master cylinders avaliable for these cars. with traction control and without traction control.

back in the 1990's things were really confusing when you went shopping for a master cylinder. there were different bore sizes, different port arrangements, different proportioning valve setups, two different master cylinder manufacturers that ford used, and cars could be ordered with and without anti-lock brakes too.

[Marauder_Santa]

Had it replaced, but was under warranty at the time. Don't remember what it would have cost if not for the $100 deductible.

[2vmodular]

here are the part #'s and suggested retail prices for the marauder master cylinders:

6W1Z-2140-AA with traction control $222.93
6W1Z-2140-BA without traction control $210.07

addon an hour or two labor @$100 per hour for installation. another $20 for brake fluid. when you add it all up, you should be in the $350-$450 range for this repair.

that estimate is assuming that all the bleeder valves on your brake calipers open easily. if not, you'll want to add in the cost of a remanufactured brake caliper or two. the rust-locked fastener problem is something confined mostly to cars in the salty northeastern & midwestern united states. people living in warm southern states where the roads are not salted during the winter probably will be able to open all the bleeder valves without too much effort.


Had it replaced, but was under warranty at the time. Don't remember what it would have cost if not for the $100 deductible.