Has anybody got an opinion on using a rebuild kit for $80 vs a new brake master for $200?

 

It's a brake part, so don't risk it. Get a new one.

 

I did the rebuild and am very happy with it.

 

Depends if it's stopping fine but has leaking seals replace the seals. If you have a spongy pedal, it's original, and leaking why not go with a new one.

 

The rebuild kit is fine. And safe. But in my experience installing the rebuild kit was enough of a pain that if I were to ever need to do it again I'd spring for a new one. The savings weren't worth the effort. Your mileage may vary.

 

I did the repair kit in like 15min, but either way you're still gonna have to bleed it. I had great results with the rebuild kit. It has every single part you need for the reservoir seals, new jug, and the o-rings for the rear section.

On my 99 I slapped on a new Master Cylinder because my parts truck had one that was less than a month old. If I hadn't had the spare laying around I'd have rebuilt it.

 

It's been long ago enough that I don't recall what part of the process gave me trouble but 15 minutes is impressive.

 

15 minutes is impressive!

If you do rebuild, just make sure and bench bleed the master cylinder, but you would have to do that wither way.

 

The back section (yellow part) can be a PITA to remove, but mine popped off (or blew apart instantly from being brittle/old). Installed the new o-rings, mounted the new yellow back section, installed the new reservoir seals jug, and installed it back on the D2, filled it, and bled it. My wife did help with bleeding the brakes. Then I was good to go. It really did take 15min, but if your brake lines are being a PITA, the yellow part fights ya then yeah it'll take much longer. I attacked it thinking it would be 30min to an hour, but once I had it off and on the ground it went very quickly.