What are Calipers on a Car?

A caliper is a vital component of a disc brake system — the most common in today’s automobiles. This system relies on hydraulic pressure to function. Calipers are located on every wheel and work to squeeze the brake pads against the rotors to slow the wheel’s spin and get the vehicle to stop or slow down.

Many drivers throughout Boardman, Ohio, and Youngstown, Ohio, refer to their braking system as simply “brakes.” However, there are many components to your braking system, including calipers, lines, discs, rotors, and pads. In this article, we focus on the mysteries of the brake caliper. We explore what they do, the symptoms of bad brake calipers, and how often you need to replace them.

How Does a Brake Caliper Work?

When you step on the brake pedal, force is applied through the brake fluid inside a network of tubes and hoses to the wheels. Connected to every wheel is a heavy metal disc known as a brake rotor. As your wheels roll down the road, the rotors spin with them. Each rotor is enveloped by a pair of brake pads suspended in a hydraulic clamping mechanism — i.e., the caliper. 

The caliper works much like a clamp. Step on the brake pedal or pull the brake lever, and pistons push out the pads within the caliper to make contact with the rotating rotor. The friction generated as a result is what decelerates the car. 

What Are the Symptoms of a Bad Brake Caliper?

When certain components in an automobile develop faults, you’ll start noticing different unusual signs. Yes, all parts that make up the multiple systems and modules that facilitate your vehicle’s movements will likely fail eventually — especially if you neglect them during maintenance checks. 

But brake calipers are indispensable and can cause accidents when defective. In other words, the braking system should be taken seriously. So, we’ve listed the most common signs of a defective brake caliper:

Brake Fluid Leaks

One of the typical symptoms of a failing or defective caliper is leaking brake fluid. A rubber seal and boot prevent brake fluid from leaking. However, with constant exposure to the extreme heat generated by braking, these seals wear out and cause a leak over time. Leakage from the brake caliper compromises the pressure sealing capacity of the braking system. A faulty pressure sealing capacity significantly decreases the system’s ability to stop or slow down the car.

Car Pulls to One Side

Does your car seem to steer or pull to one side while driving? Well, there’s an explanation for that anomaly. The caliper has pistons that move in and out because of hydraulic pressure from the master cylinder. If the pistons stop working due to corrosion or debris, the brake pads will fail to release (or connect with) the rotor. Consequently, the vehicle will pull toward or away from the side where the faulty caliper is. This can happen when you’re in motion or when you apply the brakes.

Upsetting Sounds and Smells

If you don’t promptly replace defective calipers, you expose braking parts to extreme heat and burning. Ultra-hot or burnt parts make your vehicle squeal and smell unbearably over time. Like any other component in your vehicle’s braking system, a worn brake caliper could jeopardize safety and affect performance. If you suspect any issues with your brakes or catch signs of a lousy caliper, have our experts inspect your car.

Reduced Stopping Power 

You could notice decreased braking power when any braking system component, including the brake caliper, is damaged. Any time that braking power is reduced, occupants’ odds of getting into an accident increase. Hence, it’s important to fix any brake problems as soon as possible.

Brake Warning Light

If a defective brake caliper is causing you to lose brake fluid, the engine control module is going to recognize this. As a result, it’ll activate the braking warning light on the dashboard.

Spongy or Soft Brakes

When you step on the brakes, you should feel some resistance. If they feel spongy or the pedal goes all the way to the floorboard, it could signify moisture or air in the braking system or an issue with the master cylinder. You must get to a reliable service center, like Cochran Buick-GMC, when you notice these issues.

The best way to detect a defective brake caliper is to have your brake system inspected frequently. After all, a professional can easily spot the early warning signs of a failing caliper — reluctant guide pins, leaks, dirt buildup, corrosion, and more — before these escalate.

Shaking or Vibration When You Apply the Brakes

The thickness of your rotor could be uneven if your steering wheel or car vibrates or shakes when braking. Over the years, the rotor surface wears down and maybe become irregular. When you step on the brakes, braking friction transfers pad material to the rotor surface. If the pad material transfer is uneven, you might experience vibration when braking. 

How Often Do You Need to Replace Brake Calipers?

Brake calipers work hard in your braking system and are built to withstand this strain. But hard braking or the lack of routinely scheduled maintenance can degrade their integrity. In most modern cars, brake calipers can last up to 100,000 miles or ten years, so you can get a decade out of the same calipers, though only possible with good driving and maintenance practices.

Since your brakes are a crucial component of your automobile and your most important safety feature, it helps to have them inspected frequently. If you notice any of the signs of lousy brake calipers and need a brake caliper replacement or adjustment, you can always schedule a service appointment at Cochran Buick-GMC. We’re here to help drivers in the Boardman and Youngstown areas by ensuring their vehicles are in excellent working condition. Don’t hesitate to contact us today for solutions to faulty brake calipers or any other braking system problems.