Master Cylinder Saver Installation Guide
The Master Cylinder Saver clamps around a broken Braktec master cylinder clamp and holds it back together, so your brake or clutch works again without replacing the whole perch. It also goes on an unbroken master cylinder as prevention, because the support tabs brace it and take the crash load. Follow along with the video below, then read on for torque and common questions.
Watch the full install
What you need
- 1× Master Cylinder Saver
- Allen key - 4mm, 3mm
- Hammer (if your master cylinder is not broken)
- Five minutes
Installation
- Loosen the master cylinder clamp bolts and slide the master cylinder to the position you want on the bar. If the stock clamp is cracked, take the broken pieces off.
- Fit the Master Cylinder Saver around the master cylinder so the support tabs sit flat against the body. Nothing should be pinched or twisted.
- Start both bolts by hand first, so nothing cross threads.
- Tighten evenly, alternating side to side a little at a time, so the clamp pulls up square.
- Check your lever position and free play, pull the brake or clutch a few times, then recheck the bolts.
Torque: 4 to 6 Nm is plenty. Over tightening a bar clamp is how master cylinders crack in the first place. A wrap of plumber's tape under the clamp lets it pivot in a crash instead of taking the full hit.
Fitting it before it breaks
You do not need a broken master cylinder to run one. On an unbroken master the Saver adds a stronger clamp and the support tabs brace the body, so a crash loads billet instead of your perch. Plenty of riders fit one on a good master cylinder and never think about it again.
It is also small enough to live in your pack. A cracked clamp two hours from the van turns into a five minute repair instead of a long walk, so it is worth carrying one for the group on big days.
FAQ
Does it fit the brake and the clutch?
Yes. One part fits both the brake and the clutch Braktec master cylinder. It is sold individually, so order one per side if you want both covered.
My master cylinder is already broken, will it still work?
That is exactly what it is for. It clamps around the broken clamp and holds it together so the master cylinder works again. If the master cylinder is cracked somewhere other than the clamp, or the bore or the piston is damaged, it needs replacing.
How tight should the bolts be?
4 to 6 Nm. Tighten evenly, alternating side to side. If you do not have a torque wrench, snug is enough. If you can twist the master cylinder on the bar with a firm shove, that is about right, and it means the clamp can move in a crash instead of breaking.
Is it just a temporary fix?
No. It is a billet clamp, stronger than the stock one, and it is designed to stay on. Riders run it as prevention on masters that were never broken. Like everything we build it is covered by our 2 year crash warranty.
Does it work with your Ergo levers?
Yes. The Saver replaces the clamp on the Braktec master cylinder and does not change how the lever mounts, so the Ergo trials levers and the toolless adjusters fit as normal.
Need a hand?
Send us a photo of your master cylinder and we will tell you whether the Saver will fix it.
Contact us →