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A brake master cylinder is a hydraulic cylinder that converts pressure (by a vehicles driver applying pressure to a brake pedal) into hydraulic pressure on the brake calipers or wheel cylinders. There are other forms of a brake master cylinder, such as a clutch slave cylinder - this device applies pressure to the clutch by the driver applying pressure to the clutch pedal. A master cylinder is usually made up of a fluid reservoir container, pistons, and the brake lines / hoses. When the brake pedal is depressed, the pistons move and apply pressure in the brake master cylinder or clutch slave cylinder. This pressure compresses the fluid evenly through brake line / hose and into the brake calipers / clutch. Additionally, engine vacuum is used to assist in applying pressure to the system though a brake booster. If a brake line were to fail, the master cylinder would redirect hydraulic pressure to the remaining lines, thereby eliminating failure of the brakes.
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