What are brake Calipers and what do they do? What are the symptoms of a bad brake caliper?
All components of braking system are important, the calipers work together with the brake pads and rotors. With the modern disc brake systems, Calipers force the brake pads against the rotors to slow the vehicle.
Here are warning signs that Caliper is going bad:
- Brake Fluid leaks: with constant exposure the rubber seal and boot wear out and leak. When you have constant exposure to intense heat from the braking the seal wear out and leak.
- Reduced Braking Power: you may be feeling like braking takes extra effort. Brakes feel spongy the caliper won’t fully clamp down because of dirt and grime build up.
- Abnormal Sounds when Braking: Are you hearing high-pitched noises, thudding or impact sounds when braking. The caliper itself when compromised will not properly stop the vehicle which wears on other parts of the brake.
- Vehicle Pulling: this is where you feel pulling to the right or left, that caliper may be the issue.
- Brakes always feel engaged while driving: Does it feel like the brake is always on? May be a sign of grimy brake caliper that’s stuck from the sludge in that area.