is it bad to let the master cylinder resevoir go dry? i've heard conflicting things. if so, why?
im replacing brake pads and probably a caliper (i think its siezed AGAIN) and we bent the hard line a little too much apparently, so now its leaking. can't really figure out a way to plug it, so is it bad for it to go dry?

and why do my calipers keep seizing/

 

running dry will allow air into the lines and the hydraulics fail, thats why its bad.
if your replacing these parts it shouldn't be a problem if you bleed the air out after the repair. dont drive it leaking or youll have a new set of problems.
use the proper grease and lube the calipers.

 

well thats the thing. as long as i bleed it really well, it will be fine right? don't worry im not driving it.

 

Mine has gone dry several times when doing work.... I refill it and bleed and have never had a problem..

 

the problem with letting it go dry is that the air bubble that gets in there often needs to be re-bench bled to get it out.