If the master cylinder goes bad on a non-antilock system will you lose all 4 corners of your brakes, are just the front or rear braking? #2 If a wheel cylinder or a caliper goes bad, will you lose braking to just that wheel or all 4 wheels or just the front or back brakes. Thanks

as far as i know, pontiac'* system works separately front and back..but IMHO, it might but not to the degree we might hope. if the master cyl goes bad...yes, you will most likely lose all braking because it is what pressures all 4 pistons.

and for the sec one..if a brake cyl or a caliper goes bad you will probably be feeling some one sided pull, but as long as that bad cyl/caliper is not leaking fluid, the problem will stop there and will cause uneven braking...i will probably be corrected, but that is what i know. Hope that helps!

Master cylinder failing typically results in loss of all brakes unless you pump them up. Then you could "possibly" limp it to be repaired. This is very dangerous though.

When a wheel cylinder goes bad, it usually leaks. My belief is it still works, however a seal had ruptured and the brake fluid on the brake shoes etc will cause slippage.

A caliper failure would usually be in the form of the piston not returning. Meaning when you step on the brake pedal, the fluid is pushed into a chamber and that pushes a piston which in turn causes the brake pads to be squeezed together. When you release the pedal the fluid is returned to the master cylinder and brake lines, the piston is pushed back in a little. The piston is prone to rust and dirt, and will become stuck in the squeezing position. This is known as a stuck or hung caliper.