Need Brake Repair? Don’t Overlook the Calipers!
Are you having to stomp down too hard on the brake pedal to come to a complete stop? Are your brakes squealing? If so, it is time to schedule a brake service for an inspection of your braking system. There are several issues that can lead to a needed brake repair, such as bad calipers, a failing master cylinder, brake hose, or even just worn out pads or drums.
Take a look at the calipers --
The caliper is the part of a disc brake that squeezes the pads against both sides of the rotor when the brake is applied. Hydraulic pressure generated by the driver's foot pressing on the brake pedal goes from the master cylinder to each caliper. Fluid pressure inside the caliper pushes one or more pistons outward to apply the brake. When the pedal is released, hydraulic pressure drops and the calipers loosen their grip.
How can your brake service technician tell if the calipers are bad? Typically, a good indicator is the amount of wear on the brake pad on each of the wheels. If the pads on one side of the vehicle are worn to the metal, but the other side still has about 90% remaining, more than likely, the metal-on-metal wheel has a bad caliper that should be replaced.
Here are some of the typical symptoms of failing calipers:
- Fluid leaks caused by worn piston seals.
- Uneven braking (pulling to one side when the brakes are applied), which can be caused by a sticking caliper piston, causing the pads to wear prematurely.
- The piston freezes, won’t compress, and the brakes won't apply. This actually decreases the wear on the pads as the brakes aren’t actually working.
- If the caliper slide pins stick, lubrication may resolve the problem.
If you are having caliper problems, replacing them is usually the best brake repair option because it is more reliable than attempting to rebuild an old one. If your calipers have seen a lot of miles, they should probably be replaced during a routine brake service to make sure they remain trouble-free.
Need to find professional brake repair? Contact our ASE-certified technicians at Rebel Automotive by calling 702-834-8134 or Contact Us for more information. Our brake service serves vehicle owners in Henderson, NV, Las Vegas, NV, and North Las Vegas, NV.
Are you having to stomp down too hard on the brake pedal to come to a complete stop? Are your brakes squealing? If so, it is time to schedule a brake service for an inspection of your braking system. There are several issues that can lead to a needed brake repair, such as bad calipers, a failing master cylinder, brake hose, or even just worn out pads or drums.
Take a look at the calipers --
The caliper is the part of a disc brake that squeezes the pads against both sides of the rotor when the brake is applied. Hydraulic pressure generated by the driver's foot pressing on the brake pedal goes from the master cylinder to each caliper. Fluid pressure inside the caliper pushes one or more pistons outward to apply the brake. When the pedal is released, hydraulic pressure drops and the calipers loosen their grip.
How can your brake service technician tell if the calipers are bad? Typically, a good indicator is the amount of wear on the brake pad on each of the wheels. If the pads on one side of the vehicle are worn to the metal, but the other side still has about 90% remaining, more than likely, the metal-on-metal wheel has a bad caliper that should be replaced.
Here are some of the typical symptoms of failing calipers:
- Fluid leaks caused by worn piston seals.
- Uneven braking (pulling to one side when the brakes are applied), which can be caused by a sticking caliper piston, causing the pads to wear prematurely.
- The piston freezes, won’t compress, and the brakes won't apply. This actually decreases the wear on the pads as the brakes aren’t actually working.
- If the caliper slide pins stick, lubrication may resolve the problem.
If you are having caliper problems, replacing them is usually the best brake repair option because it is more reliable than attempting to rebuild an old one. If your calipers have seen a lot of miles, they should probably be replaced during a routine brake service to make sure they remain trouble-free.
Need to find professional brake repair? Contact our ASE-certified technicians at Rebel Automotive by calling 702-834-8134 or Contact Us for more information. Our brake service serves vehicle owners in Henderson, NV, Las Vegas, NV, and North Las Vegas, NV.
