Does anyone know if there is a way to rebuild the master cylinder? I have a 90 sse with 125,000 miles on it. I have not had this car very long. I am restoring it, and plan to do some updates. However, I fear the master cylinder is bad after repeated attempts to bleed the brakes. GM quotes for a new one is $1,200 to $2,000 The parts stores say it is a dealer item only.

$1200 for a master cylinder??

I went over to Advance Auto Parts website and punched it in, the most expensive one they have is $125 (for a Bendix, which is the brand I usually use - good stuff). There'* also rebuild kits for around $20.

I think it'* time to try another parts store! I've never heard of that problem before! Just about every parts store up here can get one! Up here you have 3 choices too: GM, NEW & REBUILT. The first too are your best bets as the rebuilt'* don't last that long!

I replaced mine last October with a AC-Delco. Wasnt no more than $150-175. After working at Advance Auto, I can agree completely with csprague. I would have to say Bendix and AC-Delco are very comperable. You could save some bucks and get the A1 Cardone, which still isnt BAD, but I've never put anything but Ac-Delco on my car since I got it. I can also say that in the 4 years I worked there as an assistant manager during college, I dont think I've ever defected out a Bendix or Delco Master CYlinder, where as with A1 and the cheaper guys, you get a bad one every so often. I've always stuck to Delco, and never had a problem. Wires, plugs, hubs, alternator, etc, etc..

It cant be $1200 !! They may be quoting you for a Power Booster and Master Cylinder complete assembly, which from GM might run the price alot higher, but even then I dont think it would be close to $1200.

Just some info to think about..

As a GM Partsman & ex-jobber store partsman, I would have to agree & disagree with you! I would disagree about the AC Delco parts as these are GM parts that are priced to compete with the jobber stores. I do agree that Bendix is a very good reliable brand though! I've been around in the parts bussiness now for 10 years, I've seen many REMAN units go bad too! The NEW parts are still your best bet!

I appreciate the info. However, I believe I need to be more specific. This is a 90 sse with ABS. It has a hydrobooster attached to the master cylinder. I checked the Advance Auto Parts site, and all the master cylinders available are for non-ABS systems.
I have also checked with Auto Zone, Pep Boys, Napa, and National Auto Parts.

Well according to my sources here in Edmonton, you WILL HAVE TO go the GM to get that master cylinder I do know it will not be cheap either! It looks like since that was around the first year GM put ABS on the Bonnevilles, so no aftermarket decided to build those master cylinders since without ABS was more popular back then. Sorry! :?

Here is a related question.

I have a 1989 Bonne without ABS and the master cylinder leaks pretty bad where the front breakline screws in.

A friend of mine who had the same problem installed a new master cylinder, I am not sure what brand, and had the same problem after a few months. He tried again with another new one and again had the same problem.

I have not tried to fix mine yet because of the problems he had. Has anyone else had a problem like this and knows ofa fix? Was his problem just a fluke or what?

I would suggest using teflon tape. It will seal the thereads and not contaminate the fluid. Provided the threads have not been crossed.

Ok this is something I might try cause I dont want to go through the hassel of instaling a whole new master cylinder that might not work and then bleeding the whole system.

If I did this I would only have to bleed the wheel that goes to the line that is leaking right? I mean if I did it quickly I would not have to bleed the master cylinder or any other wheels.