A little background:
I've had 3 clutch master cylinders fail on me in the past 3 years. The first was presumably stock, and the others were O'Reilly parts (PowerTorque I think is the brand name) which are complete crap. They have this particular rubber piece which disintegrates and contaminates the hydraulic fluid. Here's a pic of the fluid that I flushed that had been in there for about 7 months:

The fluid then clogged and killed my slave last time, too. The PowerTorque has a lifetime warranty, but I really don't want to have to replace my master cylinder every <1 year.
It looks like my options are:
Replace it every year (free, except time and annoyance)
Buy a quality aftermarket one (?)
Go OEM (~$120).

What brands of master cylinders have you had good luck with, and for how long?

 

I used whatever AdvanceAuto had in stock. No problems whatsoever. Cost right around $25.

I also use store brand brake fluid.

 

How long has it lasted?

 

So far, three (almost 4) years. Not a lot of miles (8K?), the car sits all winter. Same for the slave. I replaced the master when the slave went out.

Did you install the parts dry? A small chip or tear on the edge of a seal will cause it to deteriorate quickly. Slather the parts in fluid and don't force anything. It should slip together easily.

 

I didn't bench bleed the master before installation, if that's what you're asking. I just removed the old one, installed the new one, filled the reservoir and began to bleed it.

 

I've had the advance auto $21 clutch master cylinder for about a month now with no problems.... Not that a month means anything. Hope I get 4 years out of this one like rleet did lol

 

I swapped mine out with a Doorman one from Rockauto. It's been great for two, possibly three years.

But the paint is crap, so hit it with some cheap spray paint or even the aerosol truck bedliner.

 

I have great luck with the Brake Best brand from O'Reilly.

 

I just replaced the master with one from Advanced Auto. I highly recommend replacing the lines with a one piece stainless line from Miata Roadster. Very simple and a much better design. The $50 wasn't a factor for me and I highly recommend it.

 

most of my replacements are A1 cardone brand. never any issues.

what type of fluid are you using? brand, dot#?

 

Does no one sell a rebuild kit with good seals for these things? Rebuilding a master that doesnt have a scored bore is normally super easy and painless.

 

Bump for this ancient thread. Just wanted to see if there are any better options out there.

My clutch master went out so I bought a "OEM Exedy" that lasted 8 days and almost 30 miles. Bought an Advance Auto CMC to replace it and it didn't work at all, exchanged it for another one and after 10 pumps it'll build enough pressure to get the car in gear. If you hold the clutch in pressure only lasts about 2 seconds before the clutch starts to re-engage itself. I feel like there's got to be a better option out there somewhere. These cheap masters just don't seem to handle a stiff clutch, I feel like there's got to be a better option out there.

 

If the master goes out enough to fail completely, it takes the slave with it. And vice versa.

If either FAILS, replace both.

That said, i haven't found one that lasts worth a damn in any Mazda with an aftermarket clutch. Doesn't matter if i'm buying the cheapest one i can find on Rockauto, or paying Emilio for the Exedy units that Rockauto also sells. I have a harder time with slave cylinders. I put a new one on my car every year, new master every two years. The MX6 used to get a new one every oil change.