Replacing the master cylinder is one of the easier upgrades you can perform on your 914. The stock master cylinder is somewhat small, and many owners prefer to upgrade to a 19mm unit. Here is how to replace it.

Underneath the front of the car you will find the belly pan, which protects the master cylinder, lines, and steering accessories. To remove the belly pan you remove the two bolts on the back, as well as the bolts holding the front of the pan. Put the rear pan bolts back in while you work on removing and installing the master cylinder.

Once the pan is removed, take the electrical connector for the pressure switch, located on the master cylinder, off. Next remove the brake lines attached to the master cylinder. As with removing or installing any nut with a flared nut, using the proper wrench (with the opening cut in it), will help ensure that you don’t strip the lines.

Once the lines are removed from the master cylinder, take the reservoir lines out of the top of the master cylinder. Last, take the bolts that hold the master cylinder to the car out. At this point you should be able to remove the master cylinder.

Installation of the new master cylinder is the reverse of the above. Here are a few pointers, though. Make sure that all of the fittings on the reservoir fit into the master cylinder properly. The new master cylinder should have rubber boots which will secure the reservoir lines in place. The lines wrap around the rubber grommets. To ease installation you can take the grommets out of the master cylinder and put them on the ends of the reservoir lines, before putting them back into the master cylinder. Clean brake fluid always helps with lubrication.

Make sure that you bleed the brakes thoroughly. Finally, don’t forget to reset the electrical switch before putting the belly pan back on.