If you notice that your vehicle veers to one side or another as you press the brake pedal you may have a brake caliper going bad. This may have you wondering if you need to replace your calipers in pairs. Keeping your vehicle’s braking system well maintained is essential to keeping you and others on the road safe during travel.
Most mechanics agree that it is best to replace brake calipers in pairs. It may seem like a way for them to get more money, but replacing calipers in pairs ensures that you have an even amount of wear on both sides of the vehicle for optimum stopping power.
To learn more about why you should replace your brake calipers in pairs, continue reading.
Replacing Brake Calipers in Pairs – Why It’s a Good Idea
You may find that you are being told by your mechanic that you should replace all of the calipers at once rather than waiting until the other one finally kicks the proverbial bucket. Unfortunately due to some unscrupulous characters who have tried to charge more for work that doesn’t need to be done, many of us are wary of believing everything our mechanics may tell us.
As mentioned before, it may seem that your mechanic is just trying to pull some extra cash from your pocket but replacing your brake calipers in pairs truly is the best practice. Here are the reasons why you should replace calipers in pairs.
If One Caliper Has Gone Bad, the Other is Not Far Behind
Although assumptions can sometimes be counterproductive in this situation, it is safe to assume that if you have one brake caliper going bad it will not be too much longer before the other side needs replacing as well.
This is because, in theory, both calipers should be exerting equal amounts of pressure to the brake pads and rotors which means that they should wear out at approximately the same time.
Changing Single Brake Caliper Leads to More Wear and Tear
It may initially seem that you are saving money by only changing one brake caliper, but that is not the case. When you cut corners to save money your vehicle will respond accordingly.
Replacing one brake caliper and not the other is similar to wearing a pair of tennis shoes until the sole falls off of one of them, then buying an identical pair and only replacing the one that is blown out. Think about how that would feel when you are walking.
One foot would be more comfortable than the other and you would likely walk with a bit of a limp or stagger to make up for the difference in shoes.
This is similar to how your car would respond. If one side has a nice new caliper and the other does not, the newer side will have more friction aka stopping power whereas the other caliper would be struggling and wearing down even more.
No More Side-to-Side When Hitting the Brakes
When you replace your brake calipers in pairs you can be confident that you will no longer veer to one side or the other when applying pressure to the brake pedal. This is because they will be able to apply equal pressure to both sides of the vehicle for a smooth stop.
Replacing a Pair of Calipers Saves Money and Time
When you replace your brake calipers in pairs you are saving money and time in the long run because you won’t have to prematurely replace pads and rotors due to uneven wear caused by a worn-out caliper. Less time at the mechanic’s shop means more time to ride the roads and have fun.
Changing Brake Calipers in Pairs Can Save Lives
From a safety standpoint alone this is why you should change your brake calipers in pairs. Even the smallest decrease in stopping power can mean the difference between a child accidentally getting hit and you stopping in time. Do you want to take the chance that your vehicle cannot stop on a dime when you need it the most?
For information on how to make your brake calipers last longer continue reading.
Regular Maintenance and Good Driving Habits Reign Supreme
Establishing a relationship with a mechanic that you can trust is the best way to keep your vehicle on a routine maintenance schedule so you can be confident that your ride won’t let you down.
To help preserve your brake system, good driving habits can make a huge difference to your vehicle:
- Avoid following other drivers too closely
- Be aware of your surroundings to avoid sudden stops
- Give yourself plenty of distance to coast and slow momentum before you need to come to a complete stop
Now you know everything about replacing your brake calipers all at once.
Replacing Calipers in Pairs Means Equal Stopping Power
If you want to be sure your vehicle will stop on a dime every time it is important to follow the recommendations in this article. Preserving the life of your brakes which will save you time and money at the end of the day. Be safe and happy driving!