Your car’s braking system is critical for stopping the vehicle when you need to avoid an accident, but there are lots of parts in any disc braking system, and maintaining and repairing them is also important.
In short, they may never function when you need them to, which is why it’s important to understand the symptoms of a bad brake caliper; you want to be able to know it differs from other failures.
In this article, we discuss the issues related to brake caliper failure, identify the purpose and location of your brake caliper, and why/how to identify a failing unit.
And after we’ve shared the costs of replacing a bad brake caliper, you’ll also find some frequently asked questions.
What Does a Brake Caliper Do?
Your brake calipers hold the brake pads. When you step on the brake pedal, brake fluid travels through the lines, which pushes a piston in the caliper and pushes the brake pad against the rotor.
This is how your vehicle slows down, because the caliper and pad create a force on the rotor to slow down the wheel and thus slow the vehicle down.
For your brakes to work properly the caliper, pad and rotor need to be in good condition to work properly.
Symptoms Of A Bad Brake Caliper
If a brake caliper fails, it could cause your car to pull to that side while braking. You may also have brake dragging, decreased stopping power, and uneven brake pad wear. A soft or spongy pedal, noises and burning smell, might also be related to leaking brake fluid.
Here’s a closer look at these eight most common symptoms.
#1. Car Pulls To One Side While Braking.
When a caliper seizes, it won’t retract back into place, so it continues to push against the brake pad and the pad continues to drag against the rotor.
So with the caliper stuck, because the side of the car with the stuck caliper will have more stopping force, the car will naturally pull to the side of the brake caliper that is stuck, especially when you brake.
You may end up turning your steering wheel to the other side just to counter the pull when you are braking.
#2. Dragging.
You may also feel the car dragging to one side while driving for the same reason. The caliper is stuck, so it is applying pressure on the pads into the rotor, even if you’re not braking.
It makes it feel a lot like having your foot on the gas but another foot on the brake, even though you are not actually braking. Driving like this will cause excess wear on the brake pads and rotors that is unnecessary.
#3. Reduced Stopping Power.
According to the NHTSA, brake problems account for around 20% of accidents so it’s important to ensure your brakes have the stopping power they were manufactured to have.
When any component of your braking system is not working properly, braking power may be diminished, putting you at a higher risk of an accident. Never dismiss issues with your vehicle!
#4. Uneven Brake Pad Wear.
When the caliper pins are sticking, the brake pads will wear faster than normal as the pads are holding on longer than needed and are therefore starting to wear prematurely.
Not only are the brake pads an issue. The pads are also dragging against the rotor, so that rotor surface is naturally going to wear down as well.
#5. Brake Fluid Leak.
Under normal conditions, you likely shouldn’t need to add brake fluid. It stays in the brake system unless there’s a leak. If a caliper fails, the brake fluid could start leaking around it. It’s leaking from the piston seal with the caliper engaged.
In a few cases, you may see the brake fluid level dropping before noticing other symptoms. A quick look would show the source of the fluid and where the caliper is leaking!
#6. Soft or Spongy Brake Pedal.
A sticking caliper can cause a soft or spongy brake pedal, usually due to fluid leaking. It may also happen when air is in the brake lines or if the pads are hot.
There’s also the possibility you feel the strange pedal because of the extra clearance. A seized caliper will create clearance between the pad and the rotor and change the feel of everything.
#7. Brake Noises.
If the brake caliper gets stuck, you may hear some fun noises. If the problem is a broken brake caliper bracket, you may hear a clunk. This can also cause the wheel to lock up.
The brakes may squeal, like you may hear when the pads are low. However, in this case, you may hear this noise even without touching the brake pedal. That’s because the caliper is making the pad stay engaged.
If the problem gets too severe, both pads and rotor will wear away and you will get a grinding noise. At this point, you are at your last warning stage before a brake failure occurs.
#8. Burning Smell.
The last indication of a failing brake system is a burning smell. When a caliper is stuck, the burning smell is noticeably different from burning electronics or a hot engine. The smell resembles the aroma of brakes overheating.
With the pads constantly trying to engage, the material becomes too hot. By the time you notice the burning smell, the biggest aspect to be concerned about is the brakes are not going to function properly at that point that the brakes become too hot. This exacerbates the loss of brakes.
What’s The Function Of A Brake Caliper?
The brake calipers hold both the pad and pistons. When you push on the brake pedal, the caliper pistons squeeze the pads into the rotor. This friction slows the wheels until they stop.
Calipers hold the pads, which are located on each side of the rotor. The pistons are converting the pressure they receive from the master cylinder to the force that’s going to push the brake pads into the rotor.
When you let off the brake pedal, hydraulic fluid returns to the master cylinder allowing the caliper to extend back to the original position. Calipers need to function in unison with the same amount of fluid sent to each one. One caliper in the stuck position will always receive more fluid than the other brakes.
Where Are The Brake Calipers Located?
The brake caliper is a part of a disc brake system and is located on a caliper mount. The front brake caliper mount is on the steering knuckle and the rear caliper mount is close to the rear wheels.
The brake caliper contains both pads and pistons, and there are brake lines running to the caliper to transfer hydraulic fluid.
How Do You Diagnose A Brake Caliper?
Diagnosing a faulty caliper should not be difficult. If you have some general experience, and are not afraid of tearing apart the brake system, you could figure out what is going on with several options.
Each of these options are guidelines, which are broad and should never replace what you find in the manufacturer’s service manual.
#1. Look For Leaks.
If the brake pedal feels soft or spongy, begin your check by looking for a leak. It could be leaking at a bad caliper, but you want to check if it’s bad somewhere else in the braking trim.
If the caliper is bad, you could see fluid dripping from the piston, and it is a rusty brown or tan color if it is leaking brake fluid.
#2. Inspect The Brake Pads.
A stuck caliper causes the brake pads to wear unevenly, and you may be able to diagnose this just from the pad condition. If you see that one side is very worn, it could be a sure sign that the caliper is stuck.
Now don’t forget to check the sliders to make sure they aren’t binding. If you have fixed calipers and no sliders or the sliders look okay, move on to the next step.
#3. Use A Tool To Check Piston Operation.
A frozen piston can lead to a caliper issue. A stuck piston in the engaged position will create brake drag, cause the vehicle to pull, and create an uneven wear pattern on the pad. Here are a few simple checks for the pistons.
- Place the vehicle on jack stands or ramps.
- Manually turn the wheel assembly.
If it is hard to turn, the caliper may be pushing the pads and be stuck as well.
You can also check the piston to see how it can function by trying to push it back into the bore. Again, here are some simple steps for testing it.
- Place the vehicle on jack stands.
- Remove wheel assembly.
- Unbolt the caliper from mounting bracket.
- Pull caliper from rotor but do not untie hose.
- Using a disc brake spreader or C-clamp, push the piston into the bore making sure to keep an eye on the master cylinder and any fluid that could be pushed out.
Some calipers need to be specially pushed back with a wind-back tool. Calipers that have an integrated parking brake, most commonly rear calipers, will need to be use this method. You may also need to use your compatible scanner to put the system in service mode.
A good caliper will push back into the bore all the way, a bad caliper will be very hard to push back or will not push back all the way.
How Much Does It Cost To Replace A Brake Caliper?
A new brake caliper replacement usually costs $500 to $800 on average. This estimate can be affected by the type of vehicle you drive, as well as the labor costs in your area. If you are handy enough to perform the work yourself, you may guess to pay $200 to $550 in parts for a brake caliper replacement.
A brake caliper can be rebuilt, which will lower the repair expense overall, but it does take time to do. To rebuild the caliper, new seals, pin sleeves, pistons, and guide pins have to be installed.
Is it safe to drive with a damaged brake caliper?
No, you should replace it as soon as possible. A damaged brake caliper will lead to other damage to the braking unit and could affect your ability to stop and could lead to an accident.
Can I install just one brake caliper?
In the case only one caliper is damaged, you should still replace both sides. If only one side is replaced, you may become out of balance braking with one side performing much better than the other.
This can cause premature brake pad or rotor wear, loss of stopping power and cause uneven tire wear.
Is it straightforward to fix a brake caliper.
It is typically better to replace the entire caliper assembly when a caliper is broken. Most vehicles are relatively safe and simple to do if you know how to work on brakes. If your vehicle is equipped with an electrical park brake, there may be some further precautions.
How many miles do brake calipers last?
Brake calipers are rarely intended to last the life of the vehicle; however, they generally last longer than most of the brake pads.
Generally, expect brake calipers to last 75000 to 100000 miles or ten years. Regular inspections of the brake system will give you an idea if any of the components are failing.
Is a brake caliper the same as a brake pad?
No, the brake caliper is responsible for housing the brake pad. The caliper pistons push the brake pad into the rotor to stop the movement of the wheels when you push down on the brake pedal. Brake calipers are only found on disc braking systems.
When your car experiences a bad or sticking brake caliper, you want to take action quickly. Not only will continuing to drive cause more brake system wear, but it could lead to an accident since the brakes won’t be as responsive.
If you aren’t accustomed to working on the brake system, have a professional technician perform the diagnosis and repair. It’s always best to trust a professional with these delicate systems, especially if there’s an electronic parking brake attached to the system.