Although intended to last the lifetime of the vehicle, it is not uncommon for brake calipers to go bad before they should. This may have you wondering what signs to look for when you suspect that you may have a faulty caliper. Knowing the symptoms can help to prevent an accident caused by a malfunctioning caliper.
Bad brake calipers can exhibit signs to let you know that it is time to take a trip to a mechanic, common signals include:
- Takes longer to stop
- The brake pedal feels squishy
- Vehicle pulls to one side
If you want to know more about how you can tell if you have a bad brake caliper and how to extend the life of your brake system continue reading.
Bad Brake Calipers – Common Indicators to Look For
When a brake caliper goes bad it can cause your vehicle’s brakes to malfunction which can be very dangerous. That is why it is so important to know the signs of a bad brake caliper before something catastrophic happens.
The earlier you discover an issue the faster you can correct it and be on your way with confidence in your ability to stop your vehicle on a dime.
Brake Pads with Uneven Wear
One sure way to tell that you could be having a caliper issue is if you visually inspect the brake pads and find that they are wearing unevenly. When a brake pad has uneven wear it can eventually cause damage to your rotor which is a whole new set of problems.
Excessive Heat and/or an Unpleasant Odor
Oftentimes when a brake caliper goes bad there can be a foul burning smell coming from the caliper. Generally, where there is a burning smell there is heat which means that if you are smelling your brakes, the caliper is likely not retracting enough to let the wheel spin freely so the friction causes a burning chemical smell.
Jerking or Yanking When Braking
A very obvious sign that you have a brake caliper going bad is when you hit the brakes and your vehicle jerks or yanks to one side or the other resulting in you having to use a bit more force when steering to stay between the lines. If your caliper is severely damaged and you have to stop suddenly it could cause you to wreck if it jerks the vehicle in one direction too hard.
Loss of Fluid
If you are seeing fluid under your vehicle or in the area of your brakes there is a good chance that the seals on your caliper’s piston(s) have broken down and are in need of replacing. The caliper is not the only place where brake fluid can escape but it is a good place to start when you are diagnosing the problem.
Noises That Aren’t Music to Your Ears
A good indicator that you are having problems with your brake caliper is when you can hear squeaking or metal scrubbing sounds as you are driving or stopping. If you can hear a scraping sound while driving without your foot on the brake pedal it is likely that your caliper is stuck and needs to be replaced.
Pedal to the Floor
If your pedal goes to the floor with little or no resistance it is likely that your caliper has lost compression due to a leak and needs to be replaced.
Poor Gas Mileage and a Lack of Oomph
Are you finding that you are not getting as many miles per gallon or perhaps your ride doesn’t seem to have the oomph it should when you accelerate? Both are signs that your caliper could be holding you back. Oftentimes drivers are happy to see that their gas mileage improves and the vehicle performs better.
Reduced Stopping Potential
Many times when a brake caliper has gone bad the pedal will feel squishy or spongy when pressure is applied. It may feel like your vehicle is not stopping as quickly as it should. When this happens it is important to have your calipers checked to avoid an accident.
If you are wondering what things you can do to prevent excessive wear and tear on your brake system so you won’t have to replace parts as often continue reading.
Ways to Extend Life of Brake Pads and Calipers
There are ways that you can extend the life of your braking system so you can be confident that your vehicle is safe and you won’t have to replace parts more often than necessary.
These include:
- Avoid Exceeding Weight Capacity of Brakes
- Avoid Tailgating and Excessive Brake Tapping
- Don’t Stop Short
- Keep Fresh Fluid Flowing
- Quality Parts
- Regularly Inspect Brake System
- Take Your Time
Now you know everything about whether your brake calipers have gone bad.
Knowing What to Look For Prevents Braking Badly
Now that you know the symptoms of a bad brake caliper you can be sure that your vehicle is worthy for traveling. Preventative maintenance and paying attention to your vehicle when it isn’t performing as it should can be the difference between making it home or to the hospital.
Be safe and be sure to use a licensed mechanic who is experienced with brake systems to keep your vehicle stopping when it needs to.
