if your brake booster is bad and is replaced, does the master cylinder need to be replaced also?

Asked by brown200 Jun 08, 2015 at 05:17 AM about the 2007 BMW 5 Series 525i Sedan RWD

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

My brakes became stiff and hard and I was told that the master cylinder was bad.  They replaced the booster and not the master cylinder.  When I picked up the car the pedal went all the way to the floor.  The shop leader said it was because the brakes needed changing.  I changed the brakes only to find out that did not fix the problem.  I took the care back to the shop only to hear that the master cylinder is bad.  Should they know this when they replaced the booster and why did they not replace the master cylinder as they said they were going to the first time?

4 Answers

23,610

These are all very astute questions. I really feel, after reading them, that you have multiple problems in hindsight. a hard pedal can be caused by pads effectiveness, Their lining condition, material makeup. and condition of rotor surface A hard pedal can be caused by caliper issues. It can also be caused by a failed brake booster, leaking booster, or insufficient vacuum or vacuum volume, a failed vacuum check valve, The fluid can leak from the master into the booster. Why did you have a loss of pedal after the booster was replaced? instead of the hard pedal you had before? perhaps boost was restored, and your symptom's feel changed. perhaps they opened the hydraulic system allowing air to enter? You would have to test each time you changed something or received the car from them. Worn linings, if that's what you found, needed replacing. they can cause low pedal. Bleeding the brakes after is normal maintenance to have fresh fluid and getting the old "wet" fluid out. That should restore your pedal if air is trapped. If your system requires a bleed tool for ABS, you may want them to continue till they have a pedal, or replace the master and bleed it to restore a good pedal. When you have that....You can trust your brakes. You always have the option of a German car shop or a brake shop to verify the findings told to you. The circumstances seem strange the way you describe them... but you have to get your facts at that moment, to draw any conclusion. We cannot do that from here.

1 people found this helpful.
23,610

The one other anomaly, is allowing the pedal to bottom out, during parts replacement. That can hurt seals. pedal bleeding would have just been needed if they were replacing the part you say is now failed but was not replaced. so, did they maintenance bleed it? we cannot see that either.

10

I'm having a problem with my 745 BMW someone please help it's telling me that my brake liner is broken so I checked it out is this the reason why my vehicle doesn't start

1 people found this helpful.

2008 750Li. Had a yartd ech help, or tutored while he made the attempt, repaired several other things meanwhile. Brake peddle locked. Can't start unless I pull the pin from the peddle to the booster. Sensor move's, car starts. What did the kid do wrong? Is there a keepr not takene off, what do I check for? Bleeding the abs?

Your Answer:

5 Series

Looking for a Used 5 Series in your area?

CarGurus has 11,628 nationwide 5 Series listings starting at $1,399.

ZIP:

Own this car?

Share your experience with others.

2007 BMW 5 Series

Review another car

CarGurus Experts

  • #1
    Michael Branan
    Reputation
    1,400
  • #2
    Robert Charlson
    Reputation
    1,040
  • #3
    apbimmer98
    Reputation
    950
View All

Know more, shop wisely

Search

Related Models For Sale

Used BMW 3 Series
1,103 Great Deals out of 12,868 listings starting at $879
Used BMW M5
36 Great Deals out of 535 listings starting at $13,484
Used BMW 7 Series
235 Great Deals out of 4,264 listings starting at $2,500
Used Mercedes-Benz E-Class
706 Great Deals out of 10,305 listings starting at $1,500
Used BMW X5
905 Great Deals out of 15,242 listings starting at $1,555
Used BMW M3
53 Great Deals out of 1,102 listings starting at $11,999
Used Mercedes-Benz C-Class
976 Great Deals out of 18,706 listings starting at $1,250
Used BMW 6 Series
63 Great Deals out of 910 listings starting at $4,200
Used Dodge Charger
794 Great Deals out of 28,018 listings starting at $2,500
Used Mercedes-Benz S-Class
306 Great Deals out of 7,039 listings starting at $500
Used Audi A6
241 Great Deals out of 3,585 listings starting at $1,400
Used BMW X3
904 Great Deals out of 17,123 listings starting at $1,900

Used Cars for Sale

2024 BMW 5 Series For Sale
21 Great Deals out of 2,866 listings starting at $52,950
2023 BMW 5 Series For Sale
130 Great Deals out of 1,155 listings starting at $31,901
2022 BMW 5 Series For Sale
19 Great Deals out of 301 listings starting at $27,991
2021 BMW 5 Series For Sale
232 Great Deals out of 2,144 listings starting at $21,490
2020 BMW 5 Series For Sale
58 Great Deals out of 484 listings starting at $16,990

Content submitted by Users is not endorsed by CarGurus, does not express the opinions of CarGurus, and should not be considered reviewed, screened, or approved by CarGurus. Please refer to CarGurus Terms of Use. Content will be removed if CarGurus becomes aware that it violates our policies.