Car brakes are essential safety devices installed in most cars, and there are different braking systems built into most cars. A few of them are the anti-lock braking system, the disc brake, the drum brake, and the emergency brake.
The brake caliper holds the piston and also suspends the car’s brake pads over the wheel rotor. The brake piston is linked to the brake pedal through the hydraulic lines. Therefore, if the brake pedal is matched, hydraulic force is transmitted to the piston, which pushes the brake pad against the wheel rotor, generating friction. This friction slows the car or brings it to a stop.
The brake caliper mechanism retracts the brake pad from the wheel rotor immediately after the pedal is released. Over time, the brake caliper can wear and get worse, requiring replacement. In this article, we’ll discuss at length the symptoms of a bad brake caliper, the diagnosis, etc.
Symptoms of a bad brake caliper
Every bad or failing brake system component will give you a sign before it keeps you on the road, and the brake caliper is no exception. A failing brake caliper will develop a series of problems to notify the driver that there’s something wrong with the brakes.
One-sided brake pad wear
If you have a bad brake caliper, one of the brake pads may wear out faster than the other. Due to a worn-out brake pad on one side of your vehicle, you may experience braking issues while driving. This is one of the common seized brake caliper symptoms.
It is vital to replace your brake calipers once you notice that one brake pad is thinner than the other.
Clunking sound
A bad brake caliper can also produce a loud clunking sound if the bracket that holds the caliper in place breaks. It can result in the brakes on that wheel automatically locking up. If you ever hear noise when braking, have your vehicle taken to an auto mechanic to fix the problem immediately. It is likely a loose caliper bolt symptom.
Squealing noise/metallic roaring noise
If your car’s brake caliper happens to stick or freeze, it can produce a metallic rubbing or grinding noise. This noise is usually heard even when you are not using the brake, unlike the noise from a worn-out brake pad, which occurs when the brake pedal is pressed.
One-sided pulling of the vehicle
Have you experienced a situation where you press your car’s brake pedal and the car pulls to one side instead of slowing and stopping in a balanced position? A faulty brake caliper is most likely responsible.
If any of the pistons in the front wheel brake calipers of your car freeze up due to corrosion, dirt, or debris, the brake pad may not come in contact with the brake disc. When this happens, your car will either pull towards or away from the faulty side of the braking system. Also, when a car shakes during braking, a defective caliper may be to blame.
Brake fluid leak
Hydraulic oil provides hydraulic pressure, which enables the brake calipers to function properly. If the brake caliper becomes weak or fails, it is prone to leaking hydraulic fluid. Brake fluid leakage can easily be noticed on the ground or on the car’s tires.
What happens if you drive a car with a bad caliper
It is normal for brake pads to wear out over time under normal use, but they can also wear out more quickly in certain circumstances. Examples of those circumstances include aggressive stopping at high speed and brake-pedal riding. Also, if the brake caliper goes bad, it can cause the brake pads to wear out more quickly and may lead to brake failure.
Suppose your brake structure starts wearing out; it normally sends you a signal. If you ignore these signals, you might be heading to a disaster that might be fatal. Always monitor your car’s brake system for abnormalities, such as loud squealing and an ABS Light On.
Ensure you fix any potential issues with your brake system, such as brake pad wear and an unresponsive brake caliper. Continuous usage of a faulty brake caliper is dangerous and can cause catastrophic damage to the entire brake system. Below are some common effects of driving with a bad caliper.
Damage to brake Wheel calipers and rotors
The brake system is made of integrated moving components; therefore, if one of the components wears out, the other devices connected to it will start wearing out too. For instance, if your brake pad wears to a point where the metal is exposed, it will start wearing down the wheel rotor and cause severe damage to it within a short period.
When the brake pad squeezes and makes contact with the wheel rotor to halt the car, it grinds against the rotor. If the brake pads are not replaced, the grinding will continue each time the brake pedal is depressed, and in a short time, the brake rotor will be damaged. The grinding noise is a clear indicator that something is wrong.
Whenever the brake pads are pushed against the brake disc, it generates heat. And the heat damages the piston seals, causing them to get stuck. This is what causes brake calipers to fail to return when the brake pedal is released.
The increased brake response period
The efficiency of your brake pads is completely reduced when they are worn out. Therefore, it is necessary to always monitor your brakes and note how quickly they respond. Note that if your brake pad starts to wear down, your brake may not engage when you depress it. You may have to pump it before it engages.
Some consequences of driving with a bad caliper include slippery brakes and the car sliding on one corner when you apply the brakes. Finally, the brake pad may stop engaging and disengaging the brake rotor as designed by the manufacturer, which may result in brake failure.
The car trembles when the brake is applied
Car vibrations or tremors can occur for many reasons, especially in the wheel area. Therefore, here comes an important question: can a bad brake caliper cause vibration? Yes, it can because a vehicle whose brakes are working properly should respond smoothly when the brakes are applied.
So, when the pad and the rotor are damaged or worn out, they can start causing vibrations in the car’s movement. Your steering may also vibrate when you try to slow down or make a stop.
Tiers may start wearing down
If you fail to fix your car’s brake mechanism when some parts are bad, then your tires will also start wearing down. When you have uneven deceleration across your tires due to a bad brake caliper on some wheels, some tires will wear out more quickly. A bad caliper also causes you to slam your brake pedal repeatedly to achieve a stop.
How do you diagnose and replace a bad brake caliper
It is uneconomical to condemn your brake caliper or any part of your car’s brake mechanism without proper diagnosis. Therefore, you should conduct a proper diagnosis to determine which part is damaged.
Learning how to diagnose a bad brake caliper is not as difficult as you may presume. Therefore, if you are willing to do it yourself, then get your brake caliper tools and follow these procedures;
Check for Leaks
If you have a spongy or low pedal, the first thing to suspect is a leak, and one of the common places to check is the caliper. You may also suspect a bad Master Cylinder, but first check for leaks all around the brake system.
Inspect the caliper piston, the hydraulic lines, the bleeder screw, and the master cylinder. Once you have identified the leak, service or replace it.
Inspect Brake Pads
Unbalanced wear on the brake pads can be a symptom of bad caliper slide pins. Conduct a proper diagnosis by raising your vehicle to a safe height and adding support. Unbolt the caliper, pull it out, then inspect the brake pads for wear. If you notice unbalanced wear out, a bad or rusted sliding pin could be the culprit.
If the caliper pins are stuck or don’t move freely, clean and lubricate them to resume normal operation. If you discover unbalanced wear on the brake pads but the sliding pins are in good condition, you need to diagnose and ensure the caliper pistons are moving freely.
Diagnose Piston function with a Tool
A stuck piston or one that has pulled out of its bore can cause brake drag, unbalanced brake pad wear, and the vehicle to slide into a corner. Try the few steps below to diagnose this condition:
- Raise your car to a safe height with a jack and jack stands, then attempt to rotate the tire by hand. If it is hard to rotate, you could have a stuck caliper pressing the brake pad against the wheel rotor.
- Proceed to diagnose the caliper by pressing the piston back to its bore with your hands
- If it doesn’t work, proceed with decoupling the entire wheel assembly
- Loosen the caliper from the bracket, then pull it out; do not loosen the hose.
- Use a C-clamp to press the piston back to its bore and monitor the master cylinder so it doesn’t push fluid out of the reservoir. If the piston is bad or requires servicing, it will be hard or impossible to set it back into the bore.
- Also, try loosening the bleeder and pressing the piston in; if it still won’t move, the caliper is bad.
Get an assistant to assist you to diagnose Piston functions
You need to get an assistant you diagnose your piston functionality, especially when it’s stuck. A stuck piston can cause a low brake pedal; therefore, if you have an assistant, you can diagnose the issue with ease.
- Raise the vehicle to a safe height and suspend it with a jack, then remove the wheel assembly
- Let your assistant match and release the pedal while you watch
- Observe if the piston travels in and out of its bore properly to confirm the status of the piston
- Also, check brake fluid leakage around the hoses and the caliper.
Final Words:
Driving with a bad caliper is wrong and very dangerous, especially when it’s excessively worn. A bad caliper can cause damage to the wheel rotor, tire wear, car vibration, and reduced brake response time, and may even lead to a severe road accident. Therefore, always watch for signs of a bad brake caliper and fix it promptly.
Also, conduct a proper diagnosis of your brake system to identify the damaged part, and service or replace it if needed. Inspect for leaks, inspect the brake pads, inspect the piston and hydraulic lines, and service or replace them as needed. Always call your mechanic to perform a proper diagnosis and repair unless you understand the issue you’re facing.
