Three problems related to brake master cylinder have been reported for the 1998 Dodge Dakota. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
The master cylinder brake line on my 1998 Dodge Dakota truck failed completely and suddenly under normal driving conditions (light braking). Upon inspection, all front brake lines from the master cylinder to the distribution junction and from the distribution junction to the front brakes (left and right) were heavily corroded. Last winter, the brake line leading from the distribution junction to the rear brakes failed under similar circumstances, however; some braking ability remained. These two failures over a relatively short time-frame lead me to believe it may be a manufacturing defect with all metal brake lines.
Service brake hydraulic lines ruptured twice. Once at 55,622 miles on August 13, 2007. This occurred in my driveway, when the brakes were applied, about mid way between the front and rear of the truck on the drivers side. The dealer replaced 7 brake lines and the 2 rear wheel cylinders because the bleeder screws would not open. Today, March 5, 2010 at still less than 60,000 miles the front brake lines ruptured near the radiator where they cross between the drivers and passengers side of the truck. This occurred on a main highway while braking for a red light. Both times the tubing (metal piping) catastrophically failed with no previous warning signs such as slow leakage, low fluid level in the master cylinder reservoir, etc.
I have had a master cylinder go bad and upon replacement I have discovered that I am not getting brake fluid to the rear brakes. Both rear sides are not recieving fluid. Problem seems to be occuring at the front near the master cylinder. The is a metal block that recieves fluid from the master cylinder and the distributes it to the abs system then to the wheels. Fluid is leaving the master cylinder and going to this block but is not leaving it to go to the rear brakes.